Life after the Bridal Show

Kammie Maschue Photography

If the thought of tasting one more piece of wedding cake makes you queasy, or seeing yet another photo of a smooching couple has you ready to draw mustaches on their faces, then you’ve had enough at the Bridal Show. However, you are armed with your notes, a collection of business cards, and 27 pounds of brochures and magazines, ready set go! 

The initial excitement has passed, it’s time to sort through the bridal bag with your partner, and decide which vendors, tablescapes, and ideas left an impression. Some cards may end up in the recycling bin, others on your vision board, but chances are you’ll have a better action plan than before bridal show. 

Drey Johnson Photo

Where to start! First things first - make a pile of yes and no's. Who do you want to consider as a vendor and toss the others. It's important that you go through the pile if not the next day the following week. Your mind is fresh from the show and you can really consider who is an option.

Now that you have your yes pile go through and divide all of those vendors into sections - Music, Food, Bar, etc. This will help you in focusing on who you are missing and if you have to many music options. 

After you have gone through each section let's start by searching these vendors online - read the reviews, look at pricing, and check out their photos/videos on social media. If they are in your price range and people are raving amazing things about them, take time and view their social media or website - photos and videos can tell you so much about their style. 

The work is done- now start your booking by setting up interviews, tours and conversations with vendors. I know this is a lot of work but we promise the sooner you complete this task the better you feel about planning you're dream wedding. 

Lucida Studios 

Here is a reminder of the vendors you should look into booking first to last . Happy Planning! 

12 MONTHS – Ceremony and Receptions Venue

10 MONTHS – Photographer, Videographer, Florist & Caterer

9 MONTHS - Band or DJ

8 MONTHS – Ceremony Music, Guest Accommodations, Officiant, Wedding Dress

7 MONTHS- Cake Baker, Bridesmaid Dresses

6 MONTHS- Invitations, Makeup Artist, Hair Stylist, Rentals

5 MONTHS- Men’s Attire, Accessories, Transportation

3 MONTHS – Favors, Wedding Rings

You got this 

XOXO

Peaches & Twine Photography

Surviving a Bridal Show

On January 6th & 7th, we will be at the Arizona Bridal Show from 9:00am to 3:00pm - Phoenix Convention Center. You can purchase tickets - 2 for $12 here. Before you head out on Sunday, do yourself a favor and read the 4 tips below to come prepared for the show! 

Create Stickers Labels
As you visit the different tables, vendors are going to request your basic contact information. Save yourself a lot of time by becoming friends with AVERY Labels -print your name, address, email address, and wedding date (if you haven't chosen a date yet, put TBD). Not only does this give the vendor an easy way to reach you after the event, but it also enters you to win door prizes.

Make a Wedding-Only Email Address
Let's be honest, you are not interested in every vendor and you don't need them contacting you after the wedding. Creating a separate email address for wedding vendors eliminates the clutter from your regular inbox and let's you focus wedding information in one location. This should not be confused for a fake email address but rather an email you will use for all the wedding information you need to communicate. 

Map out your trip

Find the Vendors you really NEED! You probably don’t need to find every vendor necessary to complete your wedding day. So, make a list of the three different types of vendors you need to see at the show, and only stop at those types of booths. Also, if you’re just engaged, then you probably need a venue, caterer, and a wedding planner. So, those are the three you need to look at first before you start looking at wedding cakes or shoes. Staying to a strict vendor-type list will make the show more enjoyable for you, and also less overwhelming. Trust me.

Two Bags Please!

Yes! 2 bags upon arrival, (usually provided by the bridal show sponsors) and use one bag for actual vendors that you would like to follow up with, while the other is for vendors that you have no intention of doing business with but enjoyed those freebies.  This will make your whole entire life easier when you get home from the bridal show and decide to view 600 flyers! 

At the end of the Bridal Show you will need to recharge yourself for Monday but trust me you will be smiling like this - it's all DONE!! See you there 

XOXO

PS - IF YOU WANT TO WIN A FREE WEDDING - COME SEE US The Wright House 

Wedding Sparklers 101

Erin and Blake Badgers Photography

Wedding Sparklers 101

The ceremony was beautiful, the dinner was delicious and you’re guest don't want the party to end. This is the perfect time to finish the night with a bang! A sparkler exit everyone will always remember and the perfect way to end the evening. 

Benjamin Clifford Photography

Let's talk logistics -

Who has the sparklers?   Here at The Wright House our coordinator will hold on to the sparklers until it is time. This will help you in making sure no one gets into before it is time. 

How do your guests access the sparklers? The coordinator should work with the DJ to make sure that after the last dance there is an announcement about exiting to where they can grab a sparkler for the Sparkler Exit. From there your coordinator can hand one to each guest as she/he lines the guest up in two lines.

How do we light them and how long will it take? Your coordinator will share with guest quick tips on handling the sparklers:

            Sparklers are fire; to be safe please keep lit sparklers an arm length from you and high up in the air for when the Bride and Groom go through the line. Please make sure there are not children or any other guest in front or below your sparklers – everyone should be in a nice straight line. To light sparklers it is easy – a few sparklers will be lit please touch the sparklers tips to light your sparklers and the ones around you. It will only take a few seconds to light the sparkers.

What happens when the sparklers are lit? When the sparklers are lit and high up in the air – your coordinator will give you the okay to walk thru the lines of guest. It is best to take your time when walking thru the line. Give your bride/groom a big kiss in the middle of the sparkler line for the best photo opt.

What do guest do after the sparkler exit is over?  After you have gone thru the line and the sparklers are at the end of their life spam your coordinator will have a large tin bucket for the sparklers to be placed in after they are completely out.

Kaila Cales Photography

Tips to Remember:

Do not use matches to light sparklers. They do not burn long enough to raise the heat of the sparklers to be light.

One sparkler per person is just enough! Two sparklers will for each person will cost you more plus put your guest at a better chance of burning themselves.

You do not need more than 2-3 barbecue lighters to light over 150 sparklers. The key is to light a few throughout the line to help light all other sparklers. Sparklers lit by another sparkler will light almost instantly. I promise!

Best sparkler size is 20 inches – Smaller sparklers go out too fast! When the sparkler is XL you are mostly likely to burn someone (bride/groom) if the two lines are too close and they last long after and guest have to wait a while to put the sparkler in the bucket.

Sparklers are fire and can burn clothing, hair, and people. Please make sure to handle with care and safely.

At The Wright House we provide sparklers for all of our weddings that have included the Limo in their package. You will not have to worry about ordering sparklers last minute as will take care of everything for you. If you need to order sparklers please make sure to order them a month in advance as they cannot be shipped by air since they are consider fireworks. www.weddingsparklersoutlet.com

Enjoy the moment

XOXO

Kylee Patterson Photography