If possible obtain a list of companies who will be participating from the exhibition organisers so you can visit their websites and find out a bit more about them. Not only will this help you ask them pertinent questions and clarify small print, it will help you prioritise who to visit on the day. Remember to take a pen and note pad with you so you can jot down information and thoughts, which you are likely to forgotten afterwards.

Save Time - Get There Early!
Most exhibitions start by about 11.00 am so get there as early as you can to avoid crowds. The most productive time to talk to exhibitors is when they are relaxed and can give you their full attention and this is likely to be early on in the day.

By getting there early you will build in plenty of time to talk to exhibitors - your visit really is an amazing opportunity to get everything on your checklist sorted out, make the most of it. The later you get there, you'll find you have to spend time queuing to talk to exhibitors and wont get their full attention.

If you don't make it early another good time to get to talk to exhibitors at leisure is when fashion shows are taking place. Most of the crowd will be gathered around the catwalk, use your time to your advantage!

Get Your Bearings
First off, when you arrive get your bearings! Get a copy of the show guide and check out the floor plan so you don't waste time trying to work out what's where! It may help to use a highlighter to mark off companies you are interested in or take a quick walk around the exhibition hall to get you bearings and draw up a schedule, rather than walking aimlessly from one stall to another.

Be Prioritised & Focussed
If there are any exhibiting companies in particular that you want to see, and make sure you don't leave without doing so - it's easy to get distracted so stay focussed!

Make effective use of your time whilst you are there. It may be an idea for you and your fiancés to split up to make preliminary enquiries. Once you have a shortlist you can go together and chat to companies in more depth. Remember that you want the exhibitors undivided attention, so if they are talking to someone when you approach their stand, move on and come back later.

Wedding exhibitions are a fantastic opportunity to view comparable service providers offerings all under one roof, so start out looking at one product/service category at a time (e.g. photographers) and compare like for like and pitch them against each other. This will really help you to make informed purchase decisions and ensure that you are getting value for money. Once you've finished viewing a certain product category, take a break and a bite to eat, before moving on to the next. This will give some structure and organisation to your visit and ensure that you remain focussed.

Ask all the questions you need, to ascertain that you will be getting a quality and value for money service that is customised to your needs. Not only will this safeguard your interests but exhibitors will appreciate you being on the ball as well. They're much more likely to look upon you as a serious customer and give you their quality time if you've done your homework rather than if you come across as someone who is "just browsing".

Look Upon Exhibitors As Helpful Allies
Remember wedding exhibitions are tiring and stressful experiences for the exhibitors. Be as friendly and agreeable as you can with them and they will reciprocate in a helpful manner answering all your queries and giving you ideas, which you hadn't previously thought about.

Most exhibitors are likely to be specialists in their field so they've got bundles of experience and advice, and know exactly what you're going through! They are much more likely to be impressed and respond favourably to a couple who are on the ball and have done their homework, demonstrating that they are serious shoppers, rather than those who are wandering about aimlessly and don't know what they want.

Make a note of those companies who seem particularly enthusiastic and friendly, enquire about your requirements, make suggestions and appear flexible and willing to go out of their way to be helpful. These are generally the ones who will offer the customised service to make your day unique and special. Such companies can also prove helpful in making recommendations of other reputable wedding suppliers, saving you valuable time at an exhibition.

To Book Or Not To Book?
This is the golden question for most couples who visit wedding exhibitions. It's ../../common knowledge that wedding service providers discount their rates for those who book on exhibition days or within a certain period thereafter.

If you really feel that you've done your homework, have fallen in love with a particular company's product and know that you are getting value for money with a considerable discount, don't procrastinate, someone may book that dream mandap before you do!

On the other hand if you have any doubts in your mind or feel that you need to shop around some more, don't get pressurised into booking a service that means you will be compromising with second best. If you don't want to place a bookings on the day of the exhibition, make sure you get the card and contact name of everyone who you spoke to and don't forget to jot down any selling points, pertinent details and offers mentioned