Wedding Fairs

[HotHolly]

So, I have too many questions tonight...

Is doing a bridal fair worth it? Last year I didnt participate b/c I was on my 2nd honeymoon...I did have someone grab me an info sheet. It was over 88% photogs, and 2 bridals shops (of which 1 has gone out of business). I thought it other areas it may be worth it, but here I was seriously wondering.

Anybody in other small towns (approx. 100,000 people) have any imput on this topic?

How many weddings did you get from it?

And are people just window shopping?

Thanks!

[HeatherLou]

Im doing one, Jan 20, I will let you know LOL

[ndsimm]

not sure about the smaller towns, but when we do the big show here in January, we get a lot of traffic from the smaller surrounding towns....

[Silvernic]

It's definitely worth it in my smaller town, but they limit each category to 7 presenters.

[Scott A]

Hey There Holly,
I'm not sure exactly how close "Big Country" is to Houston but you might look into the Bridal Show in coming up in January & July.

I posted a thread here - http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=35535 in regards to the show coming up in January. I've been told by a number of Wedding Photographers in the area that this is very worthwhile. Also, as posted in the thread, you are looking at 5000 - 6000 Brides.

Just food for thought...

Let me know if you have any questions,
Scott

[HotHolly]

Thanks for the idea. We have actaully had more weddings out of town than we have had in town. We've been going all over the place lately. Maybe I should do bridal fairs elsewhere?

I think the rate on the in town (Abilene) is around $350 and is flooded with photogs. Last year there were about 30-40 booths...2-3 cake people, 1 tux, 1-2 bridal shops, 1 mary kay, 1 naught toy co., 3-4 florists and the rest were photogs.

I was also told that there werent a lot of people wandering around in there (it seemed to end about 1-2 hours before the end of the event). They had stopped charging admission and packed up.

So, I wasnt really feeling like it was worth the $350 - but then again, we don't have name recognition. I thought it might help a little, but wasnt sure if it was worth it. I went to a kids fair a few years ago and it was a total bust. Would have been super mad if I paid that much and no one showed.

What's your personal take on this? Skip it? Or go and knock them out?

And a few more details: We signed a lease! Our brand new studio opens April 1st, 2007! Wahoo! The bridal fair is the last week of Feb. What do ya think?

[HotHolly]

Hey Heather - is there one in Brownwood???