Surviving the OBWA Expo

Tips for Navigating the Expo and for Coming Away from the Event with Valuable Information

Congratulations on your engagement. Whether you said, “Yes” last week or this past summer, planning a wedding can be an exciting, yet overwhelming project.  The OBWA wedding professionals understand that feeling, and during the 14th annual Wedding Weekend, they have everything you need to navigate all of the information and create your perfect wedding in the Outer Banks.  The decision to attend the expo is the first, and the easiest step.  Let us help you map a game plan to be able to take advantage of all of the information available.

1. Arrival
1. The registration packets provided in your check-in materials will allow you to plan ahead.  Included will be a Tour Map, a Tour Booklet, a Vendor Map for the Expo, and the 2012 Outer Banks Bride magazine.  Review your materials before arriving to decide where you want to begin and possibly the route you plan to take in order to meet with your first choice vendors.
2. If you arrive on Saturday for the Tour, already have a plan on whether you want to focus on the North end or South end of the Outer Banks.  With 40 miles between each lighthouse it would be a great feat to travel the whole tour in one day, but it would not allow you time to review the ceremony/reception sites or visit the wedding professional open houses along the tour.  With your pre-ordered ticket, you will be emailed the tour map ahead of time and you will be able to plan your route accordingly, so purchase early.  Remember, there will be OBWA vendors throughout the Outer Banks and not all are listed on the map or in the booklet, so you may discover some other great vendors as you visit the sites throughout the day.
3. Sunday, for the Expo, you can begin in either the middle school or the high school, but plan on attending both venues so you don’t miss out on any of the vendors.  OBWA member transportation companies will be available to shuttle guests between the schools, so plan appropriately.
4. Dress with care.  Coats may be required outside, but inside the building will be warm, so dress in layers that will allow you to adapt as needed.  Remember, it will be a long day and you want to dress comfortably so you will be able to focus your attention on finding what you need.
2. Come Prepared
1. With so many wedding category vendors available in one place, you need to devise a quick 30 second introduction to determine if each vendor can meet your basic needs.  Therefore come prepared with your date, location, and a realistic number of guests.  Presenting this information up front will allow the vendor to immeditely determine if they are available for your date, if they service your location and whether their venue or business can support your guest list.   Once these basics are established, then you can take the time to review what the vendor has to offer, but don’t fall in love with the vendor just to find out they are not available.
2. Bring pre-printed address labels that will allow you to quickly enter drawings and giveaways at vendor booths.
3. Come hungry!  Many vendors offer amazing samples to taste, enough to keep you energized for the day.
3. Plan of Attack – which vendors to approach & what to ask
1. Prioritize.  Make a list of the vendors you will need and prioritize who you need to meet first.  Don’t place your focus on vendors that you have already booked or whose services you don’t require.  Your time is limited so focus on meeting and speaking with your high priorities first, then double back to meet the others if time warrants.  Utilize your Vendor Map provided in your registration packet.
2. Questions?  The OBWA vendors will be displaying their best work, so become inspired and ask questions.  Remember these vendors want to work with you to create an amazing event, so they would love to hear your ideas and your feedback on their displays.
3. Focus. If you have determined that you plan to spend a larger portion of your budget on one area of the wedding, then focus on speaking with those vendors to determine the best options available for you.
4. Book it? or Not?  Remember the 30 second commercial to determine if a vendor can meet your basic needs?  What if you fall in love with the vendor, they are perfect and it feels right?  Do you wait to meet a few others, or wait a few weeks to review the materials?  Remember there will be hundreds of brides meeting Outer Banks vendors on Jan. 8 and your perfect fit may be their perfect fit.  Come prepared to book a vendor if they are a fit, because tomorrow they may not be available.  To ensure a vendor is right for you, ask questions, ask questions, ask questions.
5. Specials & Promotions.  Many vendors will be offering Wedding Expo promotions that will offer a bonus for booking either that day or within a specified time after the expo weekend.  Remember to ask, “Do you have an Expo Promotion Special?”
4. Dream Wedding Giveaway
1. Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled drawing.  You must be present to win the Dream Wedding, valued at $45,000 so you want to ensure you are there.
2. If you attended the Cocktail Reception at Duck Woods Country Club on Saturday, remember to look for the VIP seating.  Brides who attended the reception will not only have a premiere seat for the announcement, to be presented by David Tutera, but they will have two chances to win.  Purchase your all-inclusive ticket or add a reception ticket to your expo ticket for your second chance to enter the Dream Wedding Giveaway.

photos by Shooters at the Beach