I don't blame you for filling that bridal show bag with every freebie you can get your hands on, even if you throw it all out the next day.

But what's the quality of the relationship you're getting from that bag? Where will your brochures and price sheets be when it's 2 minutes until you walk down the aisle?

Start relationships now.

My challenge to you is don't even take a bag.

What's the point of going? The same it's always been:

Set up meetings with the creative people who will make the biggest difference at your wedding.

Your wedding will be successful or not because of people, not because of discounts or brochures.

The best way to get to know the people who will make a difference is to set up a meeting with them, away from the hustle of the show.

Don't think of it as a sales consult; the best vendors won't.

Think of it as a chance to get away from the stress of thinking about everything in a vacuum, to get expert help, pick an expert's brain and form a decisive plan for your wedding.

Shows are also a golden opportunity to get answers right from the source. Use the time to ask hard questions and leave the no-brainer stuff like price and packages to the followup, which you will get.

Speaking of followup, if you set up meetings at the show, you'll easily know which followup contacts you'll want to respond to later and which to ignore.

The best way to see if you're a good fit and assemble your dream team is to meet face to face in a relaxed environment away from the show.

An outstanding vendor listens to what you want and then wants to see if you're a good fit as a team. His goal is to leave you in better shape than the last time you contacted him, whether you hire him or not.

So next time you go to a bridal show, forget the bag and bring a calendar. You'll make it much easier on yourself to find the right vendors if you focus on relationships, not brochures.

What have you liked or disliked about bridal shows? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Please share this with a friend. :)

Joel Nisleit Self PortraitSelf portrait of studio owner Joel Nisleit. Joel's skills enable him to capture portraits like this in any location, from home to a parking garage.

Joel Nisleit is a Wisconsin wedding photographer looking to tell a romantic story you'll want to showcase. Want more help? Contact me today and I'll be happy to help in your quest for dream wedding photography.