First, most of the time you could get in for free if you pre-register online. You’d be able to find suppliers and compare prices and works, get to talk to owners or reps personally and ask whatever’s in your mind, become aware of latest trends, and get discounts. Nobody ever told me it would be paradise. *laughs*
It was just there that I had the idea of how much the other wedding essentials cost. It was even there that I realized that in order to have the wedding that I want, I’d have to raise my standards—and my budget as well (that was a slap in the face, really)!
My initial goal was just to look for a photo-video (P/V) supplier, and bridal fairs don’t seem to run out of them. Expect that in bridal fairs, P/Vs are everywhere! P/V is actually the third on my to-do list, actually, and not the couturier. (Mom just wanted to go to Edward Teng that soon because that was what she was excited about—the wedding attire. Anyway, Edward Teng was also in that particular bridal fair. I notice, he always has one of the biggest booths in bridal fairs.) *laughs* So there, we went around looking for a nice P/V. I found out that you can avail of the photography and videography services separately by different companies or artists, or just avail of both from one supplier. At that time, I was so sure I didn’t want to get them from separate suppliers because when I computed the costs, it was the more expensive option (one video supplier may even cost up to 150,000). Looking around had made me set my standards, and one booth caught my attention: Exige Weddings.
Exige Weddings was manned by only one person; that would me Ms. Rhian Calagui. I didn’t know at first that it was also Niceprint Photography, the all-hyped-up P/V supplier of the stars. (That statement made me laugh just now.) Apparently they set up a different company for their “premium” package. I loved the output, I was watching their Same-Day-Edits (SDEs), and they were above my expectations. I also loved the printed outputs; clearly they were made of good materials. Then again when I looked at the price, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get them. It was a whopping 150,000 bucks. *sniffs* I didn’t know it was legal to spend that amount of money on P/V alone, because at that time I considered 80,000-buck packages expensive enough. For goodness’ sake, the only experience on paying freelance photographers I have is during family events and school events, in which I only had to hand the photographer a maximum of 6,000. Sorry naman, diba? *laughs* In fairness to Exige, they were offering a 20,000-30,000 (I forgot already) discount that day, and only 2,000 to reserve your date. Still, could not. So move on-move on din, kapag kaya. Hahaha!
We still went around the booths to learn more. That was my first time, anyway. I learned that day that when you go to a bridal fair, make sure you’d have a tote bag or something similar for you to put all those flyers in. Promise, there would be a lot of flyers! I’m dead serious. Until now I have all those flyers stuck somewhere in my room. Sometimes the maids would ask me for some, so they’d have paper to burn if the dinner would be something grilled. *laughs* But you know what? I like looking at the flyers—over and over again. Might sound weird but really, it helps. Minsan may mga nakakaligtaan akong details na kailangan ko palang alamin. Some other times, I would be considering a supplier I ignored initially. Singit lang, this is a selfie of me and MOH after the fair. We had dinner at Rufo’s in Bluewave Macapagal:
I was still looking for a good and sulit P/V, but then I couldn’t get over Exige pa din, lalo na when I saw Ms. Rhian again manning their booth. Yes, they were there again, maybe to torment me. Just kidding. I couldn’t resist coming up to her again, maybe just to take a look at their output again and daydream. To my surprise, she was offering their package a lot less than the last week’s offer! She said they’d be increasing rates soon enough, their 150k would turn to 180k (I haven’t checked if it was true ha. LOL). But she was offering the package to me at price that was a lot less than last time, with more upgrades. It was a price I could already afford. Thank heavens! I wasn’t prepared for that, that’s why I don’t have cash or cheque to make a down payment. I told myself to breath, go home, think it over, consult with the “authorities,” and if ever we decide to book them, go back na lang the next day. And guess what, we did!
(Side note: It was a good thing that I did not bring anything with me during the first day, so I wasn’t able to book anyone out of impulse. If you’d be going to bridal fairs in the future, make sure that if you plan to book on the spot, you already have suppliers in mind. Check if they would be joining the fair. Don’t pressure yourself into booking them on the spot because chances are, they’d be joining another fair within the year and would be offering the same deal, sometimes even a better deal, lalo na kung makita nila that you’re really interested. In haggling naman with the suppliers, you’d get better deals if you show your interest while showing considerable hesitation. The more you’d make them feel you’re getting them, the more they’d try to attract you. But first, make sure naman that you’re serious about getting them, ha. Baka kasi you’re just haggling for the sake of it but you’re not really considering getting them. You’re just wasting time and effort that way.)
After that success (yes, I consider that a success), I joined more bridal fairs. But that would be another story. Before I end this, I’d just like to share more about what I’ve learned in bridal fairs:
· It’s really in bridal fairs that you get the most sulit deals offered by suppliers. Don’t doubt too much about their offers. Think deep about the regular packages. You would know they’re all a bit overpriced. LOL.
· Trial makeup sessions are offered during bridal fairs. Better take the opportunity to have one on the spot because outside the fair, it would cost around 2,000-5,000 bucks.
· Most of the time, there are raffle draws held during the fair. I won cupcakes one time, and was so happy about it. *laughs* If you book on the spot, you’d be able to redeem raffle tickets for much bigger prizes like destination getaways, cash, and other valuable items.
· Bridal fairs are done several times a year, by different organizations. It’s not yet half of the year that has passed but I’ve heard of or joined around five fairs already. More are yet to come.
· Cheques are accepted for bookings, most of the time. I don’t think credit cards would do.
· Make sure you breathe every time a great deal is offered to you. If you decide to book, make sure that in signing the contract on the spot, everything you agreed to is written on it.
· If you booked suppliers who frequent bridal fairs, it’s a great place to establish your relationship with them. If you know they’re gonna be joining one, and you’d be going, it wouldn’t hurt stopping by and say hi to your suppliers. Some clients even offer manning the booth or distributing flyers. I find that cute. LOL. Take also the opportunity to ask them about things you need to clear regarding your booking.
· As much as you can, tag along your fiancé or your mom or your MOH, or anyone who could help you decide. That way, you’d all understand why this supplier is a good catch, or this supplier isn’t sulit. Plus, you can get a go-signal faster. Just make sure you tag along someone who has the tendency to be more impulsive than you. LOL. Bring your fiancé always, if he can (unfortunately mine cannot join any, and that’s frustrating). It’s a great way to bond, and that would also save you some explaining regarding the finances for the wedding.
I think that’s enough for this post. I’d be posting about the Part 2 of my bridal fair adventures next time. Till then!
Good vibes!
-Gero