Some advice would be appretiated

In an attempt to network I sort of hooked up with a wedding photographer who was looking to network with wedding coordinators. I have hooked her up with a mutually beneficial gig and she keeps sending me these "opportunities" to pay $200 to sit and do free henna for people at wedding shows in the hopes that one of them will hire me.

Now thing is I am not sure that the brides to be that would be going to these shows would have any interest in having henna and one of the artists I work with who does the traditional bridal henna is already networked into the very tight nit community who get henna for their wedding. I might be able to go with a body art angle and have say someone doing glitter, someone doing henna and someone doing paint but again it feels like paying to work when only a very small % of people are going to be interested.

Advice? About working wedding shows?

I'd say you would be better off doing a live demo of white henna and/free hand glitter tatts that would be suitable on a bride and/or bridal party... maybe as part of their fashion show than sitting there trying to sell to the bridezillas who are only there to collect as many freebies as possible.

I just did a bridal show on Sunday, and I didn't pay the usual vendor fee. And I'd agree that most of the attendees probably won't want it, although you never know, especially if you market the wedding tradition of it. I'd say if this is something you'd want to try, just to see if anything comes from it, talk to the organizers. What we do is an attraction and should be paid to be there, so free booth space should be reasonable.

How do you sell yourself as an attraction that should be paid to be there or at the least get free booth space when the venue wants you to pay them?

The person who approached me did say they wanted to feature henna so maybe I can work that angle. This is just really unfamiliar ground but it seems like something a lot of the face painters here have dealt with.

I will have to see if they are doing a fashion show.

I am not sure what you mean by white henna.

I have never been to a bridal show and this one is a budget bridal show so not only brides but brides who do not want to spend money possibly.

White henna... isn't henna, but henna style done in white with bling usually... Like this photo I found googling white henna



It is from this site http://www.makeupartist.ae/hair_henna_skin_body_henna.htm

That is gorgeous!

I agree that you should NOT be paying a vendor fee to be there. You're an entertainment draw and at the least you should get a free booth. Something you might consider is offering not only bridal henna but promoting it for the bachelorette party or as a gift for the wedding party/bridesmaids. Also, sell your face painting/glitter tats as a form of unique entertainment for any kids (or drunk/daring adults, lol) at the wedding reception! It's a great way to keep the kids busy and add a special touch that people will talk about and remember!

I guess I just have no idea what to say when someone says here pay a vendor fee and come give out samples. Could you give me examples of what you might say?

The white henna looks cool. I am sure I could come up with something like that before then.

Ok I took the plunge! Because this is my first time asking someone to pay me rather then me paying a vendor fee and it is someone I am trying to network with I offered to do it at discounted hourly rate.

"We would be happy to provide your guests with body art including henna, glitter tattoos and bling, while providing face paint to help occupy and keep little ones happy at a discounted hourly rate usually reserved for non profits. Please let me know how many artists you feel the event will need."