Bridal Show Booth Setup and Attire

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camarofleet

DJ Extraordinaire
Jun 26, 2018
134
107
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So one of the big Bridal Shows is coming up this Sunday. I have an overpriced booth again this year - this will be my third year at this show (or doing shows at all for that matter).

They usually have about 5 Dj companies there. The booths range from nothing but a couch and some sales people and cocktail tables for the large multiops, to just someone with a table with their controller and facade for some of the singleops.

I am in between, so my booth is also of course in between.

I have a 10*10 as in years past.

My first year at the show, I took my small "On-Stage-Stands" truss, some lights, a tv, two speakers on poles, my rack, some uplights and the photobooth which I ran open air. They had a banquet hall style table (covered) which I used. I printed out some flyers, wore a tux and talked to prospects with my wife. In my opinion, my booth looked crowded, cheap and amateurish that year. I had show specials, example planning forms out and a registration card.

My second year at the show, I mounted three TVs to a Global Truss Box Truss and mounted my tops to the truss as well. I brought my controller, the photobooth, and some uplights. II had a brochure professionally printed and used the remainder of the show special cards I had from the year before. I wore a blazer/dress shirt/dress pants and brought an additional Dj and assistant to talk to prospects. The booth looked better but still appeared to be missing some polish. Ironically, my first show did better than my second. I had show specials, example planning forms out and a registration card.

I'm looking for some last minute tips on what I might be able to improve this year. Unfortunately time and money have not been in my favor this year to build the booth I want, so this year's iteration will be very similar to last years' with whatever final hour improvements I can make. So far I plan on ditching any sort of rack or controller, (to make things look cleaner) computerizing the registration etc. and using a scrimmed high top table. What are your recommendations on displays, attire etc.?
 
We've done our first batch of shows this year. We're selling photography + DJ. On the first 3, I used metal gridwalls to do our display, along with a flatscreen TV. This last one, I bought a $700 curved display wall. While the outcome on actual bookings remains to be seen, what I can offer is that the response we had at this past show, using the "store bought" display unit (i.e. it doesn't look home-made) was magnitudes better. We stayed busy almost the entire time and often had a line of people, waiting to speak with us. Bottom line, I don't think the 20-something brides respond to techy toys, AT ALL. Hope this is helpful to you.
 
It’s all about Interaction and impression. This is where’s nice promo videos matter, beautiful professional legs photos of people dancing or your set ups are framed and on display. A large sign with a promotion for registering today. Doing registrations via iPad and not pen and paper. Having nice handouts that have lots of content. If you have an actual nice and modern facade, have a dj behind mixing live with very very low volumes. I hate bridal shows but if ur gonna do them, this is how
 
It’s all about Interaction and impression. This is where’s nice promo videos matter, beautiful professional legs photos of people dancing or your set ups are framed and on display. A large sign with a promotion for registering today. Doing registrations via iPad and not pen and paper. Having nice handouts that have lots of content. If you have an actual nice and modern facade, have a dj behind mixing live with very very low volumes. I hate bridal shows but if ur gonna do them, this is how

So do you have sound and show off yourself announcing etc. (do you use sound for your videos in booth)? Last year I had 3 monitors - the outer rotated between mixed music videos and animations (almost like powerpoint slides), and the center rotated between digital signage with specials and footage of people dancing.
 
I would have videos like these that grab attention:


I'd also then incorporate 2-3 videos of my favorite recaps like this for those couples that want something a little less fast changing and to see a better glimpse as to what an event is like:

Sound isn't relevant to me... Keep in mind at shows, with all the talking and fast moving pace, brides don't have time to watch videos of ur intros. You need something thats exciting and noticeable and can instantly create interest. Have 2 or 3 monitors flashing a promo video like mine, and it'll def get attention... from there you just have to sell yourself in 30 seconds or less lol. Also monitor size matters... no one cares about 42 inch or smaller... you need 50"+ to get attention. Also your display uplit in a nice attractive color, and a modern feel to it. FYI, I don't do shows anymore as they're a waste of money since I personally market based on word of mouth. However, I know many people that participate and go to them and hear of the experiences.
 
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We've done our first batch of shows this year. We're selling photography + DJ. On the first 3, I used metal gridwalls to do our display, along with a flatscreen TV. This last one, I bought a $700 curved display wall. While the outcome on actual bookings remains to be seen, what I can offer is that the response we had at this past show, using the "store bought" display unit (i.e. it doesn't look home-made) was magnitudes better. We stayed busy almost the entire time and often had a line of people, waiting to speak with us. Bottom line, I don't think the 20-something brides respond to techy toys, AT ALL. Hope this is helpful to you.

You did not book anything at the shows? Or at least set up solid appointments within a week of the show?

...I cringe at the thought of spending a bunch of money on a Bridal show and walking away with nothing booked, or at least a few appointments set up. ...I had so many shows like that between 2011 and 2015 that I stopped doing shows all together for awhile.

...Last year we ran a deep discount special at the show, and booked like 6 weddings at the show. It was worth running the special.

We have our next show coming up on November 4th. I will be running a TV screen playing videos, and running a SHOW SPECIAL at the show. I really want to book like 10 or more weddings at this show.
 
I would have videos like these that grab attention:


I'd also then incorporate 2-3 videos of my favorite recaps like this for those couples that want something a little less fast changing and to see a better glimpse as to what an event is like:

Sound isn't relevant to me... Keep in mind at shows, with all the talking and fast moving pace, brides don't have time to watch videos of ur intros. You need something thats exciting and noticeable and can instantly create interest. Have 2 or 3 monitors flashing a promo video like mine, and it'll def get attention... from there you just have to sell yourself in 30 seconds or less lol. Also monitor size matters... no one cares about 42 inch or smaller... you need 50"+ to get attention. Also your display uplit in a nice attractive color, and a modern feel to it. FYI, I don't do shows anymore as they're a waste of money since I personally market based on word of mouth. However, I know many people that participate and go to them and hear of the experiences.

Taso,

Those look great. I scoured my cameras and tried to come up with something close although it doesn't look near as well lit or polished as yours since it's normally just whoever I have with me running my DSLR.

On a side note - it sounds like you're using some sort of remix service for some of your popular wedding selections in the one video. I've never found these to work for my clients - what service are you using? I'd like to check into it more as beat matching regular unedited songs from my subscription service seems to range from mundane to difficult. In my experience, even playing Avicii's Levels might clear the floor at 80% of my events - it seems to have the opposite effect for your clients. I'm not sure if it's the market or the way I would try to integrate them. I did notice about half my clientèle seems to have a strong preference for country.

From a play style perspective I'd prefer to integrate more of that kind of stuff. Any tips?
 
Everyone,

As far as attire - suit or tux? I just picked up both from the dry cleaner.

Is it acceptable to wear either without a tie? I actually stopped wearing ties at 3/4 of my events as they would get snagged on things and would get dirty/ripped quick (truss, rack, truck if I have to make a trip out etc.). Anymore for most events I wear a suit jacket with dress shirt underneath and no tie.

I also don't wear the newest name designer attire (which is contrary to what some people preach at the expo). I typically buy a new suit or tux every year at a place like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack etc. and use it just for Djing for a season or two.
 
I wouldn't wear a Tux in my market. Most Millennial couples are more liberal, and have been shying away from the classic tux look over the years, and now the younger generation born in the late 90s and later (Generation Z) who are starting to get married will be even more lax with their wedding attire I believe. I stopped wearing my tux in 2014 generally speaking. I will wear it if I have a client with a black tie wedding insisting I wear a tux, but I have not encountered that since. Suit at almost 100% of my weddings over the past 4 years.

I would wear a tie, BUT at a more laid back wedding, not having a tie on is certainly acceptable. ...I Can almost evaluate this by how much you book the gig at. If you are working a $500 wedding somewhere, you should be able to do the job without a tie on. ...After all photographers are rarely wearing a tie these days any way.

$800+ wedding...Dress up a bit more...put the tie and suit on...unless the clients tell you to just wear a sport jacket or something.

In terms of the bridal show...I would wear suit with Tie, OR ice pants with a company polo shirt with your logo on the shirt. ...I'm more inclined to wear the suit though at a bridal show
 
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Taso,

Those look great. I scoured my cameras and tried to come up with something close although it doesn't look near as well lit or polished as yours since it's normally just whoever I have with me running my DSLR.

On a side note - it sounds like you're using some sort of remix service for some of your popular wedding selections in the one video. I've never found these to work for my clients - what service are you using? I'd like to check into it more as beat matching regular unedited songs from my subscription service seems to range from mundane to difficult. In my experience, even playing Avicii's Levels might clear the floor at 80% of my events - it seems to have the opposite effect for your clients. I'm not sure if it's the market or the way I would try to integrate them. I did notice about half my clientèle seems to have a strong preference for country.

From a play style perspective I'd prefer to integrate more of that kind of stuff. Any tips?
My promo video is actually a combination of footage from videographrs. I always reach out to them to let me know when they make any videos and I share them with my followers. I also ask if i can use their content for my own promotions, which they usually all say yes to. I just chopped it up and combine em to make my own video.

As far as the recaps go, I use a cheap canon t2i with a 17-50mm 2.8f lens and a video light/microphone. Maybe a $750 investment. I'm not sure why you are saying I use a remix service, as 90% of the songs I play at weddings are originals edits. Even the recap above, all but maybe 2 of the songs played are originals. I just have clients that love high energy house music from time to time, and I created that atmopshere. Keep in mind, I spend a lot of time at my meetings discussing music to truly understand their desires for themselves and their guests, and I try to recreate that. I don't use must play lists or do not play lists, as that doesn't paint the whole picture. So when I play levels... I play it for a reason, not just because I feel like trying it out. I also do beatmatch and layover lots of tracks to minimize those long intros.
 
Although I have only done a few bridal shows as a DJ....
I have done (way too) many as an employee of the radio station that was hosting it.
If there are other DJ companies there...
your main goal is to look and act different from the rest.
Avoid trying to "out-do" them with more gear, flashier lights, or by playing your music louder.
As Taso said, "It’s all about Interaction and impression."
He is 100% correct.
Wedding decisions may end up being about money...
but the initial attraction is what gets you the phone call.
Ask THEM questions, don't wait for them to ask you.
Don't talk about price, at least not right away. Don't give them a chance to ask.
Instead, ask them about their vision of the reception.
What kind of things they want, and/or don't want.
And BE INTERESTED in their responses.
You'll get a lot more brides if you dive into their emotions...
than you will bragging about how many watts of power you have, how many songs you own,
or how much money you spent on lights.
Make it about THEM and not YOU.
 
Everyone,

As far as attire - suit or tux? I just picked up both from the dry cleaner.

Is it acceptable to wear either without a tie? I actually stopped wearing ties at 3/4 of my events as they would get snagged on things and would get dirty/ripped quick (truss, rack, truck if I have to make a trip out etc.). Anymore for most events I wear a suit jacket with dress shirt underneath and no tie.

I also don't wear the newest name designer attire (which is contrary to what some people preach at the expo). I typically buy a new suit or tux every year at a place like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack etc. and use it just for Djing for a season or two.

I think you were talking about last Sunday, so I'd love to hear how it went. But I generally wear nice jeans, a button down, and a blazer for an event like this. The participants are generally casual... I don't see any need to look like a limo driver.

My event attire is typically a black suit and tie, but a bridal show is all about making the participants connect with you. I'd rather them be comfortable with my attire and look professional, but not stuffy.
 
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Show went ok despite the fact I was sweating this one out and not in as much of a cadence I have been in in years past due to time constraints while preparing.

A few things I did different this year:
-Had an IT guy come out and clean up the wires in my truss
-Ditched most of the equipment including the photobooth (left it all at home) and replaced it with a cocktail table
-Went over from paper registration to electronic

Things I did the same as other years I have found successful:
-Bring both male and female assistants with me
-Brought my "day of" checklist I use at events to show leads

Myself and the Dj I brought with me wore tuxes. Although we did look stuffy comparatively speaking, some of the competition looked sloppy in our opinions. We were the only small company who obtained a signed contract at the show.

I have no idea how the two large multi ops who bring out the army of salespeople ended up doing this year.