Wedding Fayres

OK, so it is wedding fayre season once again which means it is usually time for the girls to get together and hit the venues whilst the boys to find some football match to watch, or paint to dry.......OK, so that isn't true of everyone, but is generally the case - unless the guys are promised the spoils of a chocolate fountain.

Driving round you will see wedding fayres advertised all over the place for the next 2 or 3 months and although they can be great places to gain inspiration, A WORD OF WARNING, you do not have to book everything!  It is very easy to get carried away and I have even been told by some brides-to-be that they can feel intimidated and see their wedding as inferior if they haven't included a service in their wedding planning - DON'T.

Wedding fayres are designed to let you have a BROWSE around for services/companies in order to determine what/who it is that you really want on the day.  That is why I will always say to a bride or couple that they should NEVER book a service at a wedding fayre, even if they are tempted by the so-called super-duper offer of the day (you can always ask for a discount at the time of booking - it never hurts to be cheeky).  

By all means narrow down the companies that you like, but go and visit them afterwards so that you take time looking at their samples and discussing exactly what is included in the packages offered; but in terms of a photographer the most important thing is that you can develop a rapport with them - this is very important because your photographer will be with you for most, if not all, of your day and will be interacting with you and your family to get the shots you want.  If you can't make some kind of connection it is very likely this will show in your images from the day.  Also, don't feel pressured into booking.  If you have left it until 2 weeks before the wedding (and it happens) or you are getting married on a bank holiday weeked (traditionally busy for the wedding industry), I can understand that you need to book services ASAP,  however, if you have given yourself time don't let companies hover over you with a diary and force a booking - if they have the date free, it is not only likely it will still be free when you get back to them within a reasonable time, but that someone else will also be available on that date if they aren't.

So, here my pointer for wedding fayres.......Leave your cheque book/debit card at home to prevent being tempted, but take a pen with you.

You will be bombarded with paperwork at a wedding fayre (whether you want it or not) and after having spoken with several car providers, photographers, videographers, florists or stationers and put their literature in your bag and then got home - even after one fayre - it is unlikely you will be able to remember which leaflet belongs to which company! 

Your pen is your ally.  Once you have spoken with someone and have their literature, mark off whether it is a company to consider and, if so, what stood out about them - therefore giving you a quick reminder and saving you shed-loads (official term) of time. 

Happy wedding fayre season.

Maxine