It seems like in addition to Engagement Season, it’s also Bridal Fair Season and if you haven’t already planned to attend a few, you need to get with the program!

I’m going to break this down in the simplest way- bridal fairs come in various forms from small and intimate to large and comprehensive. You can actually meet, chat with and hire vendors for your wedding all in one location. Will you find everyone you need for your wedding? Probably not but you will get to introduce yourself to several vendors you may not have intended to meet with and you will find that you like them. In other words, keep an open mind and talk to many vendors.

One bridal fair to check out is the upcoming Sedona Bridal Fair hosted by the Sedona Wedding Professionals Association

The fair offers professional wedding vendors all in one location including wedding planners, officiates, photographers, cake designers, caterers, wedding venues, musicians and disc jockeys, hair and make up artists, transportation companies, and much more. You can register here!

Bridal Fair Need to Know’s:

- Wear something comfortable (walking shoes, comfy pants) and be well- rested. This is fun but it’s also tiring.

- Bring a friend, mom, aunt, fiance, etc. for support but don’t be disappointed if you carry on long after they tire out. P.S. Chocolate on the spot or the promise of dinner out is a great motivator!

- Bring a tote bag to carry your goodies with straps long enough to put on your shoulder. Even better, bring a backpack. You will probably get a bag at the show but it will be cumbersome and possibly not sturdy enough.

- Keep an open mind and talk to as many vendors as you can; don’t hire at the show if you’re not ready, but feel free to hire a vendor at the show if you are (after carefully reading the contract of course)!

- Bring pre-printed address labels that include your name, email, phone #, email address and wedding date. You’ll look like a rookie if you show up without them!

Happy Planning from your Arizona Wedding Blog,

Kelly

Last year I took the short drive from Phoenix to Sedona to attend the Sedona Bridal Bootcamp and it was such a treat- the vendors that participate are top-notch, the food was delicious and the ideas were flowing. It really is so fun for me to hang out with couples while they are all in planning mode together.

The 2012 Sedona Wedding Bootcamp, on February 18th,  promises to be even bigger and better. Since it was so fabulous last year, I’m not sure how they will pull this off but if anyone can do it, it’s the Sedona Wedding Studio crew.

Here’s a blurb from their website about what to expect: Brides will quickly discover that this is no ordinary wedding show. No typical booths here. Brides will stroll among gorgeously designed table settings, get creative ideas, sample great cuisine, taste sensational cakes, meet Sedona’s top experts, attend informative mini-seminars, take venue tours, win valuable prizes, and enjoy numerous displays and demonstrations… all in one fabulous day.

Oh, and they are featuring an “Inspiration Pavilion”. AND they are taking attendees by shuttle to visit wedding locations in Sedona. AND there will be samples of food and sweets galore. AND there are giveaways to boot! Can you tell I’m excited? I seriously want to go incognito as a bride.

Don’t miss this opportunity to canoodle with Sedona’s talented wedding vendors. To register, click here.

Want to earn a free ticket? Well…all right! We’ve partnered with the Sedona Wedding Bootcamp to offer free tickets to 3 people who leave a comment on this blog post telling us which Sedona Wedding Bootcamp sponsor you can’t wait to chat with. Three comments will be chosen randomly on February 3rd- you will receive an email notifying you that your comment was randomly chosen along with instructions telling you how to claim your free ticket.

Happy Planning from your Arizona Wedding Blog!

Kelly