Your Guide to Making the Most of a Wedding Fair

It Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

(I Promise it really doesn't)

Honestly, it doesn’t. Come over and have a chat. Yes, you’ll be asked the same question over and over: “Have you set your date yet?” You’ll be tired of hearing it by the end of the day, but it’s how we all know whether we can help with your wedding. If you have a date, fantastic. If you do not have a date, well we can still help with some advice but obviously can't tell you if we might be free.

Think of it as a rite of passage into your wedding planning journey. Enjoy it — let us entice you with our flyers, our stories, maybe even a free slice of cake (or, less excitingly, a random keyring). You’ll leave with a bag full of “wedding stuff” that will probably feel like more of a challenge than the fair itself, but we’ll come back to that later.

Make a Priority List

Before you even go, make a list of everything you want for your day. Put the most important things at the top (photographer, band, venue) and the less important items further down. That way, if your budget runs tight, you know the essentials are covered.

And yes, I suggest putting SHOT by JFK right up near the top! After all, do you really want to risk having Dave from the Nags Head darts team DJing your evening reception with his iPhone playlist just because you blew the budget on a bargain “disco dancing dinosaur”?

Email address

As soon as you can, set up a dedicated wedding email address. This keeps all your wedding correspondence separate from your everyday emails, making it much easier to find what you need when you need it. Once the wedding is over, you can either delete the address and clear out all those emails, or simply keep it as a separate archive—either way, your day-to-day inbox stays uncluttered.

Talk to the Suppliers

Have a chat with everyone who offers something on your “must have” list. You don’t need to book on the day (though you certainly can if you find “the one”). At the very least, a quick conversation will give you a feel for how someone works. If you do find "the one" and you are in a position to book, then you might even get a show discount on the day itself. Not everyone offers a show discount, but some do.

I see so many couples walk around with their heads down, avoiding eye contact, and they often leave feeling like the fair was a waste of time. The more you ask questions and interact, the more helpful the experience will be. This is one of those things where you really do get out of it what you put in.

Budget and Booking Early

This is where your list will really help you stay focused. Another tip: ask suppliers when they need to be booked and paid. Most of us will say: book as soon as you feel comfortable. You’ll usually just need to pay a deposit, with the balance due nearer your wedding.

Booking early often locks in current prices too. I can’t tell you how many couples have come back to me six weeks after a fair ready to book, only for me to have already filled their date..

Dealing With Flyers, Cards & Emails

Now, about that bag of flyers and freebies.

When you get home, sort them into two piles: suppliers you connected with and you liked, and those you didn’t. Be brutal. Bin the ones that didn’t feel right. Then go through the “yes” pile together and narrow it down further.

And please don’t feel guilty about telling a supplier they’re not the right fit for your day. A polite “thanks, but we’ve gone in a different direction” is far better than silence. Most of us would much rather know, and it saves you getting any follow-up emails that you don’t want.

The Importance of Connection

Remember, you’ll be spending a lot of time with some suppliers — your celebrant, your venue team, and especially your photographer. It’s not just about style or price; it’s about personality and whether they fit the vibe you want for your day.

So when you feel that connection, don’t ignore it. Book the people who make you feel comfortable, supported, and excited.

Wrapping It Up

I hope this helps take the mystery out of wedding fairs. They can feel overwhelming at first, but they’re also a brilliant way to meet people who’ll play a big role in your wedding day.

We’re all here to make your day as smooth, meaningful, and fun as possible. So take a deep breath, dive in, and enjoy the ride.