The confetti has settled, your feet finally stop throbbing, and if you look at one more glossy brochure, you might actually lose your mind. Does this sound familiar? If you spent this past weekend (January 24–25) at the Capital Wedding Show, you aren’t just “engaged”—you are officially in the post-show “wedding fog.”
Walking into a room filled with dozens of the city’s most talented florists, photographers, and caterers is exhilarating, but the aftermath is often a dining room table covered in business cards and a brain full of beautiful but disconnected ideas. You walked in with a vision; you walked out with 50 different versions of that vision.
First of all: Take a deep breath. You just did the heavy lifting. You’ve seen the best of Ottawa’s wedding scene, and now it’s time to turn that overwhelming pile of paper into the best day of your life.
Here is your step-by-step survival guide to navigating the “Post-Show Hangover” and making sure those connections don’t go to waste.
Phase 1: The Great Declutter
Before you open your laptop, you need to clear the physical and mental space. Grab a large coffee (or a glass of wine—no judgment here) and clear off the table.
- The “Immediate No” Pile
Be ruthless. During the show, you likely grabbed flyers just to be polite or because you liked the font. If a vendor’s style doesn’t match your vibe, or if you realized their service doesn’t fit your budget or logistics, recycle the paper now.
- The “Must-Have” Folder
These are the vendors who gave you “the feeling.” Maybe it was the way the photographer’s portfolio made you feel, the incredible flavor of a catering sample, or a planner who finished your sentences. These are your priority leads. Put them in a dedicated folder or a high-visibility spot.
- The “Maybes” for Later
These are the supplementary services—photo booths, unique favors, or specialty transportation. You don’t need to book these today, but you want to keep them on your radar for when the “Big Three” (Venue, Food, Photography) are locked in.
Phase 2: The Digital Deep Dive
Now that you have your short list, it’s time to vet them from the comfort of your couch. A booth at a show is a “first date”—their social media and website are the “background check.”
- Check Their Stories: Look at their Instagram “tagged” photos to see how they perform on a real wedding day, not just in a curated booth.
- Read the Recent Reviews: Look for feedback from the last six months. How did they handle the 2025 wedding season?
- The Vibe Check: Does their online presence match the energy you felt at the EY Centre? Consistency is key to a stress-free wedding experience.
Phase 3: Mastering the Follow-Up
Here is the truth about the Ottawa wedding industry: The best dates for 2026 and 2027 are disappearing as you read this. Vendors are currently processing hundreds of leads from the weekend. If you loved someone, you need to reach out now to secure your date.
Phase 4: Organize Your Inquiries
Create a simple spreadsheet or use a wedding planning app to track your communications.
- Column A: Vendor Name
- Column B: Service (Photo, Florist, etc.)
- Column C: Date of Inquiry
- Column D: Status (Waiting, Meeting Scheduled, Booked)
If a vendor hasn’t replied within 48–72 hours after a big show, don’t panic. They are likely wading through a mountain of emails. However, if it’s been a week, send a polite “nudge” or move on to your second choice—responsiveness is a major indicator of how they will treat you during the planning process.
Phase 5: Look Forward to a Different Vibe
If you walked away from the Capital Wedding Show feeling like you still haven’t found “The One,” or if you’re looking for something a bit more specialized, don’t worry. The “Show Season” isn’t over yet!
Sometimes the large-scale shows can feel a bit industrial. If you are looking for a more intimate, boutique, or multicultural experience, mark your calendars for the Ottawa Luxe Wed Experience on February 7th. While the Capital Wedding Show is great for seeing the broad landscape, Luxe Wed is designed for the couple who wants to dive deeper into high-end aesthetics and cultural traditions. It’s a chance to speak with vendors in a less crowded environment where the focus is on bespoke details and luxury service. Think of it as the “curated gallery” to the “major museum.”
As you begin your planning process, trust Your Gut. At the end of the day, you aren’t just hiring a “vendor”—you are hiring a team that will be by your side during one of the most emotional days of your life.Your wedding day is a reflection of you; make sure your team reflects your values and your joy.You’ve got the brochures. You’ve got the vision. Now, go make some moves!
Your Wedding Expert
xoxo Nandini for TastersHUB Catering & Events
“True love doesn’t have a happy ending; it is the happy ending.” -Anon
