100%! That's right, 100% of the pre-registered attendees are brides. Honestly no big surprise there as they're usually the most proactive person in the wedding party. Lol. (I say usually because I have gotten calls from moms and aunts desperate for last minute things... <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_2fdefdb0908942f0824121611fdeab91.png_256" width="22">) Good news is the brides are registering guests with them. We have some men on board for the Groom Games! Thanks to Cole with House DJ Services and Entertainment for helping announce Groom Games and winners. Together we are winging it. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_19da577ba0424632a53b6af3d5e36333.png_256" width="22"> As far as the $30 donated item we asked about when you registered, that will be given away at various times throughout the wedding fair. Winners will be sent to your booth. It is up to you if you would like to have an additional giveaway/prize registration at your booth. |
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We are excited about our BAM Bags! The picture is similar to what the finished product is like, but it doesn't do it justice because, let's face it, I'm a business girl, not a graphic designer. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_7fe0c22151324d13926ffbc0214544c8.png_256" width="22"> The finished product is coming from Unique Moments by Mid-west Marketing. Thank you, Gina, for all your patience and help! We will have 200 of these lovely things. If you want any business cards, brochures, fliers, pamphlets, goody bags, etc. placed in these bags, please get these items to me by Saturday. You can have those items at your booth as well, but it sometimes eases the mind of us exhibitors knowing for sure that the brides received your info just in case they don't venture to your booth. Don't have 200 of anything? No problem. For one, you don't have to be in the bag ahead of time, and two, you don't have to be in every bag to reach the audience. Give what you want or nothing at all. It's up to you. |
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Location, Location, Location We have guests coming from Hillsboro and High Ridge to as far as Blackwell, Farmington and Potosi. | | |
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They're Engaged! I have honeslty seen want-to-be bride-to-bes attend wedding fairs. The girl with no ring (yet), but she just knows it's coming soon. I am sure some of you have as well. While none of them have pre-registered for this wedding fair, know that some have been engaged for quite a while! Look at those stats! (screenshot taken from my end of the attendee registration site) Some have been engaged since June 2015, while others just got engaged around the last couple Christmases. |
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Wedding Bells are Coming I am not sure if attendee pre-registration was confusing, or what, but some are saying they are already married. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_7fe0c22151324d13926ffbc0214544c8.png_256" width="22"> (No, these aren't the newlywed flea market stats.) Assuming they are mistakes, we do have future wedding dates of next Spring, Summer and Fall! So, if you haven't thought about what your future promotions will be, now might be a good time. You can advertise them to the attendees at the BAM Party Wedding Fair! Susan, owner of Serenity at Home Massage, comes up with promotions based on the time of the year, (including client birthdays!), day of the month, week of the month (Mother's Day Week- that's what I'm talking about), etc. and some are quite irresistable to clients! Quick Tip: It is often a good idea to make your biggest promotions/deals during times you know you will be slow. That is different for every industry. For me that would be August and January. Look at your past sales to help you. Hint: People love free stuff! |
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While travel/honeymoon is in the lead with 100% of pre-registered brides hoping to find that at the BAM Party Wedding Fair and Bride to Bride Flea Market (Good news for Misty and Go! Travel... Getaways), 80% want to take care of the categories cake/bakery, florist & formal wear. Makeup/Skincare & Photography come in next with 60% of pre-registered brides hoping to find. Caterers, Rentals (like BAM Party <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_7fe0c22151324d13926ffbc0214544c8.png_256" width="22">), Hair Stylist or Makeup Artist & Jewelry are being sought out by 40% of the pre-registered brides. Twenty-percent are hoping to find their limo service and DJ (Yay for House DJ Services + Entertainment!) |
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There are a few categories with 0%, but 1) not all attendees will pre-register & 2) They just don't know they want it yet. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_c812a646f00a4a9eb04d1d8f44771c57.png_256" width="22"> "...people don't know what they want until you show it to them." -Steve Jobs God rest his brilliant soul As far as activites at the BAM Party Wedding Fair and Bride to Bride Flea Market, 25% are looking forward to Groom Games, 37.5% chose the option "I'm not going to lie - the beer" <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_7b04010e31c94882b2998f12deef8af7.png_256" width="22"> Seventy-five percent are most looking forward to tasting food and cake and seeing formal wear. Just over 87% are mostly excited for the giveaways and prizes. If you are wondering why the numbers aren't adding up to "100%," these were "choose all that apply" questions. Many want multiple items. |
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Speaking of beer... Remember, all* men attendees will get their first beer free. Yes, they have to be associated with a wedding. We'd have all the men in the county pouring in for a free beer (pun intended). Cash bar is available for any drinks after their first. The Civic Club will have beer, wine, soda and water for sale. Maybe they'll even have LaChance Vineyards' wine! You might want to look into that, Mark. The bar is also available to you*, the exhibitors, and all* the lady attendees. Just keep your alcohol intake to a level where you will still be able to talk to your guests. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_b2f1959433b8433297ffc33b60546bdf.png_256" width="22"> | | |
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Room for Everyone We do still have room for more exhibitors. We have permission to use the outside as well, so this thing could be huge if we just had more time to recruit. There's never enough time in an event planner's life. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_39226cacde0d4a9c90ef7ad8e8416848.png_256" width="22"> Anything wedding related: - Caterers
- Photographers
- Transportation/Limos
- Bakeries
- Florists, etc.
If they mention you sent them AND they book an in-person booth for this year, you get next year free! (excluding sponsor slot) If they can't make it in person, they can be included in the BAM Bag (up to 200 items) for just $30 & you'll get $30 off next year! Same with getting newlyweds in for the Bride to Bride Flea Market: $30 $20 gets them a 6' table to sell their unwanted decor to a captive audience (while making some Christmas money), and you will get $30 off next year. | | |
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Word Gets Around While 75% of pre-registered attendees heard about the BAM Party Wedding Fair via social media (Facebook), 12.5% heard about us from an exhibitor (that's you guys! Thank you!) and 12.5% heard about us through a newsletter we sent to a lead list. Between the ticket packages sent to you all, the tickets mailed to pre-registered attendees and the tickets given to the radio station, there are 227 tickets floating around out there. If even half of them show up, this will be a success. It's our first year, it can only get bigger and better each year! Thanks for the marketing help from each and everyone of you. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_bbb9a23c29c9407f8a31e2fc45adead6.png_256" width="22"> P.S. Here is the radio ad in case you didn't hear it. | | |
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For some of you exhibitors, this may be your first ever event. Welcome! Here are a few things to keep in mind, even for the seasoned professional. - There is no guarantee you will make money AT the wedding fair, but there is a good chance that if you keep track of how clients hear about you, you will make your registration fee back in a short time. It is a good idea to always ask "How did you hear about us?" Sometimes you'll be surprised by the answer, and it always helps you figure out what's working and what's not. Plus, that question helps fill those awkward gaps of silence when they're on the phone and your computer is being slow. That cannot be just me!
- You must dress for success. Yes, this is a captive audience, so you more than likely have something they are looking for, but it does not mean you can slack on your appearance or customer service. This is a great article to help you out.
- You will be exhausted at the end of the day. I am quite often hoarse at the end of my events from talking so much. Feel free to call my personal cell 314-562-1400 during the BAM Party Wedding Fair if you need a break and don't have a worker to cover your booth. I can send a BAM Party staff member to rescue you for a few minutes. Afterall, we don't want anyone peeing their pants after drinking all that wonderful wine... This article will help you know what to expect Sunday.
- Most levels came with a lead list. If you are not receiving a lead list, it is up to you to collect your own lead list of leads and then contact those leads. Have a clipboard and sign-up sheet on your table and make sure every visitor signs it. Good info to collect is name, e-mail address, wedding date & wedding location. Just because they are from around here doesn't mean they are getting married anywhere near here. I have traveled over an hour away to set up weddings for brides who live 4 miles from me. Never assume you know. Other info you might want would be mailing address and phone number.
Tip: Don't focus on just the brides. Wedding fairs are also great places to meet other potential clients. There will be moms, sisters, grooms-to-be and their male friends all in attendance. |
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Here for Bridezillas and More, BAM |
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Still have questions? That's ok! Click here to hunt me down. <img height="22" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5e9922_f08e343127774efe8d9971ba20f4b6e6.png_256" width="22"> |
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