Wedding fayres/fairs!

[Fuchsia Fairy]

Advice please?
Am really keen to get organised enough to do a wedding fair in the spring.
Can anyone offer some advice? Eg what is a reasonable price to pay to exhibit at one, does it depend where it is? As I do wedding stationery and tiaras I'm thinking about going for it, saw an exhibitor who had these paired up on one stand and its obviously working for them, but don't want to go too mad for my first one. Do people give samples or are these for stationery generally given out when an order is placed?
Soo many questions lol
all help appreciated :)

[silvermaid]

A lot of people say they don't sell very much on the day and they are usually just to get you name and details out to customers.
If you can try and get some brochures with pictures of your stuff for them to take away so they are reminded of what you do and of course your contact details. If you want to do some samples for them to take you could put all your contact details either inside the cover or on the back so they know exactly who you are.

Melanie

[Caroleecrafts]

A lot of the wedding fairs, will not allow you to sell on the day, take orders yes but not selling as in a craft fair.

I would suggest that you make up some sample bags with your stationery, leaflets etc in, this way the bride can take it home with her as a reference to what you do. Go armed with a sample portfolio or 2, order books and your terms and conditions, also receipt books for any deposits.

Good Luck

[Fuchsia Fairy]

thank you! Its kind of what I was thinking, having done quite a few jewellery parties I'm getting quite good at the being organised thing - I put everything I need on the pc as I think of it, that way its a permanent list that I can add to and then when I get to the point of not being abe to think of anything else I reason I must have remembered it all! So I guess its a case of being thorough and thinking it all through step by step and thinking of what I would want if I ever wanted to order something like that, and then hope they actually like my designs!lol
:sm:

[beadsbydesign]

have a look at this thread:
http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5091&highlight=wedding+fairs

[Fuchsia Fairy]

brilliant loads of info there thank you!

[Madimoo1]

Hi

I have been doing bridal tiaras and jewellery now full time for 3 years and have done a few wedding fairs.

They can range from £75 up to £400 a stand depending on how big the shows are.

I have only ever sold one tiara at a wedding fair in three years, you normally just take details down....its a big gamble as you never know if it will pay off. Start off doing the smaller fairs and work your way up. Its a big cost to lay out if you do not get any orders from it! Trial and error really on which shows work for you.

This year I have only done 3 fairs as they are costly...one of them paid off but unfortunately the others didnt....many of the brides that attended are not getting married until 2010 and havent even choosen their colour schemes!! so a bit of a waste outlay but thats the way it goes.

My advice is to have a selection so people can see the quality of your work and have some good promotional cards with you.....my little trick is to make a goody bag up that the bride can take away with them.. I put in my cards promoting my business, some sweeties or smellies....just little touches that make them remember my company and get them to look at my website.

The shows are fun but most brides will not make a decision on the day, they are just visiting for ideas. Its just a way of advertising really.

I wish you all best though if you do decide to do them, shop around at venues...ask questions how many people turned up the year before, how big is the table for the price.

We have some in Northants that are costly and were rubbish, where as a cheaper one we did had a great turnout.

Good Luck

Clare

[Fuchsia Fairy]

Thank you thats all really the kind of stuff I needed to know, I still don't know whether to go for it or not, maybe wait and see if anything comes from the 2 orders I have currently going on, then I will know if people actually want my stuff before I take the plunge!lol
Jacqui

[sparklyjem]

I have to say I've not had muc success at wedding fairs. As a small trader selling handmade goods they are expensive and you don't sell much.

Might I suggest independant galleries and boutiques as a better outlet, there are some lovely independant bridal stores, especially in the villages, who might be persuaded to take a few pieces on a sale or return basis, then take commissions on orders for you for a percentage.

[gbell]

heck ive just booked for a big wedding fair in liverpool and was hoping it would set my business off as im new at this, feel quite despondant now reading this:mf:

[biscuitlid]

Some good advice already given here.

Before I did any myself (I do stationery), I went for a look around several in my area, saw for myself how busy they were and chatted with some of the exhibitors who were very honest with me as to if they'd taken any orders etc. Some even suggested good fayres to attend which I now do!

I would be careful with goodie bag contents, in terms of sweets or smellies as if your public liability doesn't cover and someone has an allergy attack, well it's just not worth it.

I have just received a couple of orders from a fayre I did in March last year so don't give up if it doesn't seem fruitful at the time!

Of course I make mistakes and have attended some fayres which have been poorly attended or not so well organised. I put it down to a days training and try and make the most out of the other exhibitors

Good luck
Victoria

[Alice21]

I used to do wedding fairs years ago when I worked for a photographic studio.
One of the things we used to do was offer discount vouchers, we had books a bit like raffle books and everytime we gave out a voucher we'd take the name and phone number of the potential customer and follow up with a phone call a few weeks later.

I suppose the modern version would be to get their email address then put them on your mailing list.

[newcrafter24]

I do wedding stationery and get about 80% of my business from them. I very rarely get an actual order on the day with a deposit paid but that's not really the objective. I do a couple of the big ones in Scotland that last 2 days. I offer a 10% discount for orders placed up to 3 months after the event and if, while talking to someone, I think they are pretty seriously interested in my designs, I offer to make them a free sample in their colour scheme and post it out after the event. I also take appointments at the show for them to come to my studio and have a proper consultation where we can sit in peace and look through all the samples and swatches.

I have lots of business cards and flyers out as well as price lists (don't ever be frightened to give people price lists) and also a smaller supply of things like terms & conditions/fonts sheets/wording sheets etc. so they can take away lots of info. And I always try and direct them to the website when they get home.

I don't offer any other freebies, sweets or anything that's what the cake and chocolate fountain stands are for! People don't expect anything like that from a stationery company.

Don't overcrowd your stand with too many different designs - less is more and what you are trying to do is give people a flavour for your design style and what sets you apart from everybody else.

Go for it, they are a great way to get some feedback from customer and hopefully lots of orders!!