Las Vegas Photographer for Weddings and Event Photography TiffanyG

The Bridal Spectacular is here this month, and since most of my readers are brides, I thought I’d post a “Bridal Show Survival Guide”. The most-heard comment after a bridal show is that it was “overwhelming”… so here’s some ways to help the show become a successful day for you!

1. Have a plan. Make a list of vendors you definitely want to talk to. Do a little research to hopefully narrow your search down a little. Look at the MAP of the Bridal Spectacular and find your preferred vendors.  There are many very helpful websites to provide online reviews from many of Las Vegas’ vendors, but the two most popular are WeddingWire and TheKnot.

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas

2. Wear comfortable shoes and leave your coat in the car. You will be receiving lots of brochures, etc and you do not want to be burdened lugging your coat.

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas

3. Bring someone with you! Your Mother, Maid/Matron of Honor, or maybe your fiancé will enjoy himself!  They can help you with collecting information and would be happy you included them in the planning process! As for your fiancé? Just tell him that he can win stuff and eat free cake and hors d’oeuvres!

Wedding Photographer Las Vegas

4. Bring address labels. We recommend printing out labels on your home computer with your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date. This will help free up time to talk to vendors instead filling out the same information time and time again.

Las Vegas Wedding Bridal Photography

5. Bring a pen, notebook, and datebook (or, your BlackBerry!). Some vendors offer special pricing if you book with them and leave a deposit with them the day of the show. This is great, but if you choose the WRONG vendor, at ANY price, is it a good deal?  Ask them if you can have a few days to think about it, because pressure to sign RIGHT THERE AND THEN should make you wonder what they are worried about! Is their competition better? Special good ONLY at the show? Time to look for a new vendor! Make an INFORMED decision – don’t rush into anything!

Wedding Photographer in Las Vegas

6. Want to see the most vendors AND the fashion show?  The majority of brides watch the show, so plan on arriving just as the 1st show starts. Visit the vendors DURING the show, this will allow you better chance to actually talk to a vendor and it will be a much quieter atmosphere. Then, stick around for the 2nd show, and this time watch the show!

Las Vegas Wedding Photos

7. Don’t be embarrassed to wear your “Bride” sticker! It can become confusing for vendors to identify everyone that attends, and if they know you are the bride, they will be more apt to spend a little extra time with you!

Bridal Photos Las Vegas Wedding Photographer

8. If you don’t bring labels (see #4), when filling out any contest entries or door prize drawing slips, print clearly!

9. The best place to take notes is on the actual brochure/flyer handed out by each vendor. That way you can connect a face to your notes and it will be easier to remember when you make your follow up calls!

Limousine Bride in Las Vegas

10. Don’t be fooled by huge discounts! This is especially true for Disc Jockey companies! If a company tells you their price is $900 but they are giving a $300 discount, that sounds great… but if they normally charge $600 for an event that’s not really a discount. Do your research and find out the ACTUAL discount (if any) based on their NORMAL rates. ALSO: Watch for ‘add-ons’ that nickel-and-dime you to a higher price. Show special at $495 but an extra $200 for a ceremony sound system, $50 for lights, and a 15% required gratuity and it’s not as good a deal as you thought!

Las Vegas Engagement Photography

11. Enjoy yourself!  Use this time to gather information and enjoy any of the special offers extended to you. You are the Bride; you make the rules when dealing with vendors. It’s YOUR day, not theirs!

12. Most importantly, come to  D. Jay’s Entertainment’s booth  to discuss your disc jockey, photography, and videography needs. We are having some great specials (true discounts and LOTS of FREE extra service).

Beautiful Future Bride Wedding Photography

Thank you VERY much for reading this entire post! I hope you learned something.

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“Nothing Traditional or Posed” was my main instruction from Christina. I was able to slip in a few posed shots but all-in-all, this Las Vegas wedding ceremony and reception photography was candid and photojournalistic style.

This wedding and reception was held at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson (in the Las Vegas Valley). Christina was great to hang out with before the ceremony and VERY laid-back. After our introductions, the first thing she said was “here, have a glass of champagne”. I had to decline since champagne tends to effect me very quickly and I doubt any of my brides would want their photographer to be tipsy!

Of course, in blogs, photographers are expected to include creative shots – I did get Christina to do a couple poses:

I’ve posted a few of this style.. the “contemplative” shot. I just ask the Bride to think about her ceremony and her future husband and try to capture their immediate, natural reaction. As always, these shots are interpreted differently by different people…

The other day I was “spying” on some other wedding photographer blogs and realized I have never posted my “shoe shots”. Brides love those photos of their shoes!

Christina said she “used to” play piano but she did end up sitting down and playing a very nice piece. I wanted to incorporate the piano with her bouquet and thought this one captured my intentions:

During the ceremony, with a little bit of a vintage look…

Smoochie, smoochie!

The Recessional, she is SO happy, and he is SO proud!

First dance

D. Jay’s Entertainment provided the Disc Jockey, that’s Ed on the right side getting all the pretty girls to sing to “Summer Nights”. What a ham!

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