When Are You Ready For A Bridal Show
Business By squarepair Updated 22 Feb 2007 , 4:18pm by karensjustdessert
So I am still in the process of doing all the paperwork and such for my business as well as learning new techniques and expanding my skills. I was looking at the Bridal Shows in the area and sent away for some info. My plan was to attend the ones closest to me(the largest in Northern VA) in Sept. and next Jan to scope out the scene, with the idea that by next Sept 08 I might be ready to play with the big dogs. According to the information this bridal show has 15,000 people who attend including 4,000 brides. Well it kind of seems maybe they aren't getting the people they need for Jan 08 because they sent out an e-mail that they have dropped the prices of the show. The smallest booth 6x8 is now $599. So part of me is tempted to consider doing that show but I have to say I am extremely intimidated by the others who have been in business so long. One nice thing is I am almost 40 so it might not be obvious that I am a newbie. I was kind of thinking if by Fall there are still openings maybe it will be a sign to go for it. Ahh, I just don't know!!! What do you all think??
Kristin
I think September will give you plenty of time to prepare. Might I suggest, and this is something I should have done, is going to a Bridal Show as just a visitor and really checking out the cake vendors? That way, you'll know the feel of a bridal show, how to present yourself, and how NOT to present yourself. You'll also see what people flock to at shows. And what information people are looking for. You want to Wow, but overwhelm with information.
Then, when you do your first show, put your own personal touch on your presentation.
The first show I did I was woefully underprepared...but I still got several jobs out of it! I have my big show this Sunday and I feel extremely prepared for a change. Might I recommend also, which is something I did do recently, is to talk to a wedding planner and see what trends they see in what brides want for their cakes. It helped me immensely.
Good luck!
The HD was checking lisencing at the bridal show I attended this past Sunday. I would recommend getting all of that taken care of first.
Oh I wont do anything before I have my license and health inspection. I will be completely legal. My DH has a job where we can't take the chance of anyone even close to him getting in trouble for anything!!
Kristin
Ok, to phrase my question better....Do you think you need to have been in business for a certain number of years or to have done a certain number of wedding cakes before you have a booth at a Bridal Show??
Kristin
If you feel that you're ready for a Bridal Show go for it! I've ran a few booths with my BF (he's a DJ) and the most important thing to remember is Perception Is Reality. If you can go in there look confident about what you do, people will trust you.
Before you do any show, though, read up on how to make your booth a success. There's tips and techniques all over the internet and if you can utilize even a few of them the people will respond to you.
If you'd like to PM me I'll send you the notes I have for doing Bridal Shows.
Good Luck
Hi there, I have now had my bakery open for about 6 months and I just did my first show last month. I was completely scared out of my mind and felt very underqualified when I compared myself to the other bakeries that were there (which have been in business for 15+ years). I went with about 12 cakes, which was more than anyone else had and had several comments from many people at how nice we were to the people we were talking to. We ended up booking about 7 weddings at the show and there are still people calling and coming in saying that they saw us there. We offered a special that was only good at the show and we had samples (which no one else had - they were the mini-cupcakes). Really, the best feedback and most interesting was that people were really impressed at how we interacted with everyone. I would have to say, based on my experience go ahead and do it, you will probably be pleasantly surprised. And being new just may be to your benefit. A lot of people who have been doing this for so so many years are really starting to get tired of it. I am still so new that I feel that I have to put everything I can in to it because I am just as excited to it for the customer as they are to pick it up. Hope that helps
I'd say no. If you know you can make a good wedding cake then do it. My first bridal show, I had been officially in business for 3 months and had done maybe a dozen wedding cakes in all my decorating experience. Honestly, I was very nervous when it came time to start setting up at the fair. I felt like a little fish in a big pond. But, I went ahead and set up my booth and then went around and looked at the other cake booths. I no longer felt like a little fish after seeing their quick and sloppy displays. The nervousness began to fade and excitement set in. I knew I could make a wedding cake, but after seeing the standards, I really knew I could do wedding cakes. If you know you can do it, then your ready, time doesn't matter, only quality.
Thanks ladies, that is kind of what I was thinking. I know I am going to be TERRIFIED but I think that presentation is probably one of my stronger skills and after being a military officer's wife for many many years I have the whole greeting people, saying the right thing and looking at ease even when I am uncomfortable down. Plus I will have DH there for support and nothing intimidates him. As long as I can get him to stop talking about my "fondue" cakes. He doesn't quite have all the lingo down!!
Kristin
YOU CAN DO IT!
We expect a full report next week. 
I am sure all will go well for you, and have fun!
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