Wedding Fayres

Hadley1

Hi

I don't get married till August 2012 - but am keen to get out and about to some more wedding fayres - not with the OH, but with my best girlies.

but just wondering what is the best way to do things. I love talking to people/exhibiters at the fayres, but note sure whether it is best to just take details and walk away or try and get some deals/discounts there and then. I guess i am just scared of buying something the second I see it. Have to weigh up every decision and also scared that there is something better around the corner - if that makes sense.

Any advice as to how to negotiate with exhibiters...in teh ideal world i would love the chance to perhaps visit their shop/website at a later date and potentially purchase, but secure some sort of discount on the day.

Don't want much do I? :rotfl:

LEJC

Wedding Fayres are all new to me...and I didnt have the benefit of them when I got married....but from a haggling point of view there are probably a few pointers...this is what I would do

Go to the fayre...chat all you can to the exibitors get as much info as you need and take their card etc..a name is also good and perhaps tell them a little about you that will possibly in the future help them remember you!

Go home and study their goods/services and then call them and mention that you saw them at x wedding fayre...youre really interested and wonder if named person is able to run through a few details ....then you ask is that your best price or approach it saying I have a budget of.£y could you supply for that?...therefore enquiring on discount

I wouldnt ask about discount whilst at the fair unless they openly offer it...basically I think if you ask for discount on the initial questioning then the answer is usually no...as if they offer you 10% and someone overhears then they too will want the discount...so its my feeling that traders wont offer a discount in a situation where they would need to offer it ad hoc...

You may also find it a lot easier to get a discount if the trader is new to the business and wanting tp build up a portfolio etc or you offer to let them use a comment or photo of your day in their advertising..

Fawny_2

I've seen a few been advertised around by me, quite fancied going but as were marrying in Greece I suppose there is no point. I would definatly go to one if we were getting wed here though.

Hadley1

Fawny wrote: »

I've seen a few been advertised around by me, quite fancied going but as were marrying in Greece I suppose there is no point. I would definatly go to one if we were getting wed here though.

even if i was getting married abroad I think I would still have to go - they are so much fun and have a great atmosphere!!

But don't take the Oh if he's anything like mine... though a couple I've been to have had the "men's creche" i.e bar, games, mags and telly. Only prob with that is you have to do the driving. But hey!:rotfl:

zcrat41

Hi - I've been to 2 and I personally wouldn't recommend them. Not a single photographer under 2k at the last one I went to and the florists were just ridiculous! Maybe you'll be lucky and have better ones nearby but to be honest they made my budget feel inadequate (and its not!!!)

madtrekker

When I got married I found it was the more expensive (but not necessarily best) providers exhibiting at these fayres. They're good for ideas but often found I could source similar much cheaper. I don't think I'd rush to book anything on the spot, especially not so far in advance.

Although many will say that they have an offer just for the fayre, I found I got a lot of emails afterwards offering the same or even a better discount (at some fayres the individual exhibitors collect your details by having a contact form or prize draw, at others when you registered to attend your details were given to all the exhibitors).

You've got plenty of time on your hands to make sure that you get what you really want so don't rush and book something you might regret later.

clearing_out_my_pockets

I found the woman who's doing our cupcakes and our decorations lady at a wedding fayre. The cupcake lady was the cheapest by far and she had loads of cakes on display to taste. The decorations lady was so down to earth and didn't try the hard sell. Both have held 2009 prices for 2011 but didn't offer further discounts. A lot of the exhibitors did tend to be the higher end of the price bracket, but not all.

OH has come with me to every wedding fayre and he enjoys them as much as I do. I think I am marrying an alien though.

Hadley1

Thanks everyone... All very helpful!

I have been to a couple and agree that they are often very expensive. But definately worth it for some ideas I think.

So it seems its worth giving details to exhibiters to see what offers might come my way.

£2 for a photographer does seem a lot i am being quoted about £900 by two really good ones who give you all your photos copyright free.

think I'll go with the open mind and try then as you say to source things more cheaply.

Just don't have as much time as I would like for this wedding planning - what with working full time, kids at home and ill dad. But thats just me being greedy!

Olokia

£2 for a photographer?? I'll have him!

Hadley1

Olokia wrote: »

£2 for a photographer?? I'll have him!

Whoops - think I meank £2K for the photographer. It was the end of a very long day at work. :rotfl:

Anyway guys thanks for all your help! I will have to see what happens at the next wedding fayre I attend.

moogyboobles

It's unlikely you'd find a cheap photographer at a fayre, it's quite expensive to do them!
You might want to check some of the wedding blogs, they often have competitions to win your dress, honeymoon or deals.