It’s peak season for wedding fayres (or fairs), often catering to those who may have become engaged over Christmas and New Year. If you’re planning on getting married, you may be familiar with what these events involve. They bring together local and national businesses from the wedding industry to showcase their products and services to prospective clients and create a one-stop-shop for everything from cars and florists to caterers, bridal gowns, wedding photographers and entertainers, all under one roof.
Fayres tend to vary considerably in size, so you could find anything from 10 to more than 500 suppliers in attendance. They’re often held in wedding venues, but shouldn’t be confused with open days for the location, and you’ll find them advertised on social media, local listings websites and banners outside the places where they’re being held.
Of course, you don’t need to have anything already booked for your wedding to go to an event like this. And here’s why you should attend:
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Be inspired
A fayre is bound to spark a thought or idea you may not have had previously. Indeed, it’s the ideal place to find inspiration for your big day. Chat to a range of providers, ask exhibitors any questions you may have and start booking the services you need. Equally, these highly enjoyable wedding events will get you feeling excited about your occasion and the planning of it.
There’s the chance to discuss your ideas face-to-face with industry experts, and take a break from endless scrolling and Googling! There’s never any obligation to commit to anything. Just take your time, get round everyone and ask all your questions. (Take a list of queries with you.)
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Another chance to check out the venue
You’ll no doubt be doing your own tour of the hotel or other setting with a member of staff to whom you can put detailed questions. But a wedding fayre is the ideal opportunity to see how the venue handles a large crowd, and chat to the events team who could be working on your wedding.
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Make an afternoon of it
Wedding fayres are typically held at the weekend, so make a Saturday or Sunday afternoon of it with your bridesmaids, mum, sister, best friend or anyone else closely involved with the planning of your wedding. Combine it with a lunch or tea and a glass or two of bubbly to create a sense of occasion, either at the venue itself or elsewhere.
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Have your cake and eat it
Taste some cake samples at the fayre; you could come across styles and flavours you never even knew existed. You can also see and touch other items, including wedding favours, stationery, shoes, hats, decorations and fabrics for dresses – like tasting cake, that’s not something you can do online.
As a wedding photographer, I love attending the fayres and chatting to couples ahead of their special day. People tell me how helpful they find them, and I’ve met numerous clients this way. I’ll take the time to answer questions and talk to as many couples as possible, and start to understand what each client wants, in a relaxed setting.
As a frequent PMN wedding fayre attender, I hope to catch you at one of the 12 events that I am attending this year, being held across Hampshire and Surrey. PMN wedding fayres offer an excellent variety of wedding day suppliers and venues to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly. If you’d like to discuss how wedding photography can be carried out on your special day, I also offer fayre specials for those who book on the day or up to 2 weeks after the events.
Alternatively, contact me to tell me about your plans, and what you want from your imagery on the day.
