The First of Firsts
One whole week into 2019 and nothing is slowing down! This is going to be a year of firsts for Small Grand Things. First booking, first ground break, first site completion, and first bridal season. Well, we kicked off our first of firsts with our first ever bridal fair yesterday. I felt like a proud momma on the first day of Kindergarten. Took photos and everything!
Y’all. Let me just tell you. It was amazing. The Fort Madison Bridal Fair hosted by the Quality Inn and Suites may not have been the biggest fair or the most glamorous. But, it was exactly what we needed to dive headfirst into the deep end, and not drowned.
We were able to set up the day before so I could arrange things, move them, rearrange things, and stare it for as long as I wanted with no need to watch the clock before attendee starting arriving. Never having set up my own booth, but having seen hundreds upon hundreds from stock shows, I had an idea of what I wanted it to look like, but still wasn’t sure. Now I know what works, where things fit, and how the tables need to be arranged. Now, I can just come into the next ones and put everything up exactly how I want right? HA. No, it’ll still take some tweaking, but it will go much faster since I’ve had a practice run with setting up.
I also now have a better understanding of exactly what information is important to future brides and what they need to know the quickest. We have a ton of things to look at for our booth set up. That’s what happens when you are trying to sell a ghost, a concept, an idea that doesn’t exist in the material world yet. Computer renderings, inspiration and concept photos, virtual walk through, floor plans, all of it is just as important as our packages and prices at this stage. And, we have it all. We may offer too much information, but I would rather offer information overload that can be processed later and followed up on than not enough information and people lose interest.
One of the most important things I learned for bridal fairs, shows, expos is the proper attire. I spent the last two years living and working in Washington, D.C. My business wardrobe consists of dresses, slacks, suit jackets. Even the business casual days were colored pants with a blazer. I have more high heels in my closet than I do anything else.
This is for several reasons. Number 1. I have a problem. I’ll be the first to admit I collect heels like people collect stamps or rocks. Number 2. I am five foot three. If I wear flats my pant legs pile up on the floor and people think I’m a pixie. And Number three. I worked in an office so you wear heels, but you’re sitting down most of the day. Now, fast forward to yesterday in my suit jacket, and heeled boots standing for 7 hours. You can say it, Bless her heart.
Now, yes, I should have known better, but it was my first bridal show and I wanted it to be perfect and I needed to be perfect all while not fully knowing what to expect. So, note for next show, wear layers because over 300 people in a ballroom raises the temperature past needing a jacket, pack your shoe insoles so you can make it all day standing up.
We have our first bridal expo under our belt. It was so amazing seeing everything we have worked on and had been envisioning for months come together for others to see. It was heartwarming to meet the other vendors and hear their excitement for something new in Lee County and their eagerness to work together. It was beyond anything I could describe to see the awe and wonder in the attendee's eyes as they looked over our photos and learned about Small Grand Things. This is why we are doing this. To be something small but grand to West Point, Iowa and give back to our community. It was our first bridal show and I will never forget it or the feeling I got from meeting and talking with everyone. It just makes me that much more ready for the rest. Bring on Bridal Season 2019.
This was just the first of so many firsts for Small Grand Things. I cannot wait to see what else comes and happens for us during fair season, construction, our events, this year and the so many more after. We will keep you posted here of our year of firsts!
Until next time.
DN