Congratulations on your recent engagement! Are you excited to plan your wedding from start to finish? Or do you feel you need a little inspiration? That’s what wedding showcases are for! Wedding showcases are a great way to find out what’s possible for your big day, get to know some local suppliers and most importantly, find out what you definitely don’t want for your big day. Osprey Hotel is a perfectly romantic setting for your big day and the addition of our stunning new ballroom makes us one of the premier wedding venues in Kildare. Call or email our dedicated wedding team to learn more about our weddings at Osprey Hotel or arrange a visit.

1. Meet the Vendors

Wedding showcases are like speed dating with wedding vendors. They’re a chance to meet and greet local producers and see their work in person instead of poring over hundreds of companies & options online and sending unanswered enquiries. If you have a date for your big day, you can even book and pay a deposit to multiple vendors to secure your space. You’ll also get a chance to meet and greet these people in real life, giving you a more personal connection and allowing you to ask all of the questions you like in a short, efficient timeframe. You can also ask for advice from professionals, many of whom are happy to help even if they’re not your chosen supplier.

2. One Stop Shop

Usually, wedding showcases have a range of vendors under one roof, often multiples of each. One-stop shops save you time and energy searching for suppliers for each element of your wedding one by one. If you wanted to, you could book your cake, band, invitations, backdrop, florist and more, all in one day; ideal for efficient, unfussy wedding planners. At showcases, you can check dates with vendors and show them exactly what you want for your big day, all while speaking to tried and trusted wedding suppliers. Many vendors will also provide a discount to wedding showcase attendees if you do decide to go ahead with your booking and if you don’t see one, you can always ask!

3. Get Inspired.

While some brides & grooms enjoy browsing the internet and creating a Pinterest board for their dream wedding, that’s a nightmare for others. Wedding showcases are a great way to check out traditional and modern trends and decide what you do and don’t want at your wedding. For example, maybe you were considering a doughnut wall but were inspired by a cupcake wall instead. You might love the idea of a traditional bouquet of red roses but when you see some of the more earthy bouquets on show, you’ll change your mind. You might see something at a wedding showcase that you’ve never seen before or realise that you can make some of the products at home to save you money. You’ll also get an idea of prices of the latest trends without sending enquiries to dozens of suppliers.

4. Free Samples

It’s no secret that weddings are expensive. Sometimes it seems as soon as you mention the word the price increases! That’s why it’s so great to get some discounts and special offers from vendors at wedding showcases. On the day, you’ll also get plenty of samples, freebies, and giveaways. Some venues give a goodie bag with the price of admission and others have complimentary cake tasting and unlimited glasses of prosecco for potential customers. Going to several wedding showcases means more samples, discounts and inspiration.

5. Have Fun!

Wedding planning is stressful, but wedding showcases are not! The best thing about a wedding showcase is how much fun they are. Grab your other half, your family or a group of friends and enjoy an afternoon of virtual wedding shopping, trying on dresses or holding bouquets, making wedding memories you’ll treasure. Enjoy the music, meet other brides and grooms to compare venues and suppliers and have a great day!

Keep your eye out for wedding showcases in Ireland, happening in wedding venues across the country and make the most of this special time before your wedding. Contact us to learn more about our Kildare wedding venue and the fantastic suppliers we work with.

Author Bio: Katie McGarr is a resident writer for Osprey Weddings by Osprey Hotel. This luxury four-star hotel, situated in the heart of vibrant Naas town, is known for its central location, stunning ballroom, and sumptuous food that make it the perfect choice for your wedding day. This travel buff loves sharing her insights about weddings, travel, food, and lifestyle.