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You’ve dreamed of the perfect wedding for so long.  Emotions run high as you race to your first bridal show as a bride.

But before you know it, you get bombarded with pamphlets, e-mail lists, and loud banging music.  You finally get home, throw off your shoes, plop onto bed, and beg for your significant other to give you a foot massage.

All the while, your head is spinning wondering how you are ever gonna sort through this huge pile of papers and pick the right vendors for your wedding.

Well, fear no more.  Wedding planning can be less stressful than it already is.

As a wedding industry expert for many years, I’ve broken down 5 easy “After-Bridal-Show” steps to help you get started on planning your big day:

1)  Get help!

Delegate responsibility.  Start by getting your significant other or your maid of honor (or both!) to help organize everything you’ve picked up at the bridal show.  Sounds like common sense, but oftentimes we like to spend hours on Facebook or Pinterest alone and forget that we have moral support all around us.  Not only would this relieve you from feeling overburdened, but it will clear your mind and allow you to plan more diligently.  That and your moral support will also feel important by simply being involved.

2)  Don’t be quick to toss things away.

Don’t immediately throw away a pamphlet just because you can’t afford it at the moment.  Most vendors require only a 50% deposit/retainer to reserve your date, with the rest to be paid in full around two weeks before your wedding.  If 50% is a little high, and you really want that photographer, feel free to ask if you could do a 33% deposit, but no less.  A quick Google search will show you plenty of ways to save money in other areas of your life without compromising the quality of your wedding.

3)  Write stuff down.

When you have everything in one place, it’s easier to not get so overwhelmed.

Figure out what style you want your wedding to look like and write it down.  Modern and classy?  Vintage?  Or simple and traditional?  Discuss this with those around you and see what they think you might look best in.

If you’ve already figured it out, great!  Get that ol’ Word document out and a simple Spreadsheet to keep track of your budget.

4)  Don’t be afraid to call!

We won’t bite.  :)  Obviously, check out the vendor’s website first, and if it looks like it was made in the 90′s, then they are probably slow, not up-to-date with the latest wedding trends, and might not be the best fit for you as a modern-day bride.

Ask for a consultation.  They are usually free (with me, it’s always free, and you might get a free couple’s gift as well!).  Take advantage of this opportunity to talk about your dream wedding and to get to know them more personally, so you feel at ease.

5)  Relax, and reward yourself.

Take a day off at the beach with your significant other.  Plan a spa day with your mom or with other bridesmaids.  There’s nothing better than feeling close to those you love.

Well, that is it for my after-bridal-show tips.  I know some of this seems common sense, but in the end you’ll thank yourself for staying organized and being prepared.

Oh, and no post is complete without some beautiful photos.  Here are some from Sunday’s bridal show at Premier Bridal Show in Ontario.  This is of Monique Luo’s Designer Bridal Collection, part of Cal Poly Pomona’s Apparel Merchandising & Management Department.