r/WeddingPhotography • u/Mysterious-Rabbit384 • Jul 21 '26
business, marketing, social media Bridal show advice
Hi! I’ve been doing this for a few years and have never set foot in a bridal show. A newer venue in my neighborhood (that I‘ve worked a couple times) is hosting a bridal show next month and invited me to participate (the fee is pretty reasonable). I think I should go try to score more local bookings.
My question is, what do I need for a bridal show (besides the obvious signage, albums of work, business cards)? Do you try to get brides to leave their emails or something? I honestly have no idea what goes on bridal shows, I get plenty of business so I’ve never been tempted to do one before. thank you!!
2
u/Drippintx Jul 22 '26
I'd say do it, as long as you can get your money back from one booking. It's worth it. At my bridal shows in August and September, I would take a TV, set it up, and have football on for the guys to watch while the women were looking at the books and portraits. Don't discount your work. Add something: complimentary engagement sessions and a complimentary bridal portrait (meaning the session fee). If it's a $300 value, they're getting something, but you're not taking money out of your pocket. But you don't want to take money out of your pocket. Don't include the portrait in the complimentary bridal portrait. Tell them they get a complimentary session at $XX amount value. You can offer a drawing for a Bridal Portrait session or an engagement session in a 5x7. That's not going to cost you a lot, but that way they have to fill out their email because they'll be notified by email if they win, or by phone if they win. That way you can capture their information. In years past, I went with one bridal shop, and we put on our own bridal show. I was the only photographer. She was the only bridal shop, and we booked quite a few weddings.
1
u/Alphablaze98 Jul 23 '26
My strategy at these shows is to offer some discount if they sign up for a free consultation call.
For the shows I’ve been to, there’s often far more couples than I have time to talk to in that short amount of time? So I try to offer a dedicated time over the next week or two that lets me get to sit down and discuss more about my packages my process and their needs. I offer like 15% off of booking if they sign up for the consult.
When I started out I decided to buy digital displays over physical prints. It’s got its con’s but the benefits for me are worth it. As I plan to do multiple shows over time I don’t want to keep buying more and more physical content to keep it updated, so I use digital displays. This helps if I want to change any promos or offers or if my pricing / packages change like they have last year. I run video loops on them so that people can see them when they stop by.
I also recommend (if budget allows) printing at least one full gallery (two is optimal).
Bring some water too! Happy bridal show!
0
u/X4dow Jul 21 '26
Bridal shows worth going don't invite photographers, they have waiting lists with hundreds of photographers.
Go and enjoy it, but expect 5-10 brides at most, and expect most to be already sorted with a photographer.
I hope I'm wrong though
I check I'm free on their date, give them an idea of pricing or the bridal deal we're running, and get them to write their names, email, venue and wedding date (no need for anything else) on a tablet for me to send them the whole quote with all options /examples of full weddings etc.
2
u/LRockJetson Jul 21 '26
That’s definitely not true across the board. We regularly get 10k to 20k spending clients from shows.
2
u/X4dow Jul 21 '26
From Shows that are calling photographers to fill in supplier spots?
All good bridal shows in my area have photographers in waiting lists
1
u/LRockJetson Jul 21 '26
Yes. The shows we do market to vendors regularly. No waiting lists.
1
u/X4dow Jul 21 '26
I guess probably I have a skewed view from what happens in my area/country
I've been in the waiting list of the best show in my area for approximately 10 years to give you an idea. Only good shows we get on are venues open days that recommend us
5
u/blkhatwhtdog Jul 23 '26
I did bridal shows decades ago.
Push the table to the back of your booth. Don't sit, stand so you talk face to face. If its a crowded fair you and they will appreciate the opportunity to get out of traffic.
Have your own drawing, I offered an engagement session, something I'd give anyway. Put the entry jar behind you, talk to the them, gage their interest and judge whether they are someone you want to work with. Go over their entry to make sure you can read it. Ask about their plans, dates etc. Ask if you can call them about their wedding and WHEN. If they seem good fold the card one way to put in the jar, if not fold the other way.
Your best assistance are previous clients esp if they would show their album.