A little too early? :|

So a lot has happened!

I've already attended three bridal fairs, collected TONS of flyers and brochures, and spent HOURS walking round and round aisles and halls! Nakakapagod din pala, but sobrang fulfilling bride-to-be feels! :D

Here's just a super-duper quick recap of what transpired the past three months :)



February 20, 2016 - Weddings & Debuts Bridal Fair
SM Megamall
- I was able to get my ring size - 4.5! (which will turn out to be a fail, come next bridal fair! haha!)
- Canvassed Wedding Rings (didn't really see anything we both liked)
- Got rates of The Mango Farm (originally my top choice) and other garden venues
- Inquired on event styling rates for ceremony set-ups (EDIT: I didn't know then that the caterer can also do the ceremony setup so I inquired with florists and event stylists. LOL)



March 19, 2016 - Themes & Motifs Wedding Expo
SMX Convention Center
- Food Tasting with Josiah's 
- Got my ring size, this time, it's a 5! Then with another ring I reeaaally liked, it's 5.5! Anubeeeeyyyyyy!!! (EDIT: MY FINAL SIZE IS 5.5! This is my size with Diamond Fire!)
- Canvassed invitations, giveaways, others
- Got rates for different caterers - Passion Cooks, K by Cunanan, and others



April 16, 2016 - World Trade Center
- SUPER FAIL. I checked the exhibitors list and got excited coz almost all the event venues I wanted to check out and talk to would be there. None of them were.
-  Canvassed Lights and Sounds Supplier. As advised by GTalkers, I need that for the garden ceremony
- Canvassed Strings/Ensemble - a nice-to-have, but not really necessary :) 


WHAT TO DO NEXT BRIDAL FAIR:

- Canvass Lights and Sounds
- Canvass Strings/Ensemble (duo, string quartet)
- Schedule Food Tasting with some of the well-known Caterers 
- Canvass Photo + Video
- Avail free trial HMUA! 


UPCOMING 2016 BRIDAL FAIRS / WEDDING EXPO:

I Do Wedding Fair 
May 14-15 2016
SM Megamall Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City 
http://idoweddingfair.com

Save The Date: A Bridal and Debut Fair
May 23-24, 2016
SMX Aura Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City
http://www.savethedatefair.com

Getting Married Bridal Fair
May 28-29 2016
SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City 
http://www.gettingmarriedbridalfairphils.com

The Philippine Wedding Summit - Themes & Motifs 
June 25-26 2016
SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City 
http://themesnmotifs.net

Brides and Beyond
July 2-3, 2016
Enderun Tent, Taguig City
https://www.facebook.com/bridesandbeyondph/

Before I Do Wedding and Debut Fair
July 9-10, 2016 | September 24-25, 2016 | November 25-27, 2016
Megatrade Hall 1, 5th Level, Building B, SM Megamall
http://www.beforeidobridalfair.com/

Wedding Expo Philippines 28th and 29th Editions by Themes & Motifs
September 10-11 2016
SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City 
http://themesnmotifs.net


SOURCES:
http://eventsvenue.com.ph/2016-wedding-fairs/
http://www.kasal.com/html/wedding-event/bridal-fair/wedding-events.html


THOUGHTS:



During the first two fairs, I felt that some suppliers were not (very and sincerely) accommodating since our target date is December 2017 pa. Sure, it's like almost 2 years away, but I had questions, queries and clarifications. These suppliers were Josiah's (full review on my next post!), K by Cunanan (had high expections, extremely disappointed), and other suppliers (event stylists, florists, L/S, full band). I know preps usually start at least one year, but is one year + ten-nine months really too early? Is it because rates would increase the following year and some suppliers don't do a price lock? Is it because I don't have a ring on my finger (yet) so I don't look like a legit bride-to-be? Or am I just one eggzoited bride and I shouldn't really be there this early? :(

Putting all that aside, I must say I still enjoyed (and am still enjoying!) going to these bridal fairs. It's part of the wedding preps stress and even though we haven't booked a single supplier yet, our shortlist of potential suppliers becomes smaller and smaller. Every after fair, I collate all the brochures for suppliers we want and need, and review them again along with the new ones. We have a long way to go but at least we're getting somewhere. Our target is to book all major suppliers before the year ends, so by this time, I should really be able to cut down our options.

To all other brides-to-be, I say it's never too early for wedding preps! I think it's totally okay to attend all fairs even when you're not planning to book anything pa. It also helps to come prepared with questions to ask each specific supplier and to be ready with your pegs. If you have pictures to show them, mas maganda! Some of them can give you better on-the-spot quotations when they know exactly what it is that you want. And of course, you'll get huge discounts (that they won't normally offer) and reeeally awesome freebies! Especially if you book on the spot! :D

Really excited to attend the next bridal fair! This time I will definitely sign up for FREE TRIAL HMUA! :)

XOXO,