WHAT IS A BRIDAL SHOW?
Bridal shows (or bridal expos) typically happen at large hotel ballrooms or convention centers. In many cases, hundreds of wedding vendors and service providers come together to put on a showcase for couples who are planning their weddings. Each wedding business will have their own booth or table where they will set up a display that explains or shows off their services or work, and they’ll often have pricing information or other marketing materials available for you to collect.
A bridal expo can be a great opportunity to chat with several vendors face to face, see if their work is a fit for your wedding vision, and make appointments to discuss things in further detail. Some exhibitors you may find at a bridal show include wedding photographer/videography companies, catering companies, cake bakeries, wedding venues, DJs, musicians, or live bands, makeup artists, wedding planning and coordination services, florists, rental companies, photo booth companies, and more.
Bridal shows typically happen over a weekend, often on a Saturday or Sunday.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND A BRIDAL SHOW!
1. Make a Personal Connection
When it comes to choosing your wedding vendors, you want to make sure that you not only like their work, but that the people you hire are people you will enjoy working with for an extended period of time during your engagement. Sometimes, making that personal connection with a caterer or florist who truly understands your vision will push them to the top of your list. Personality matters when you are spending 6-12 months working with someone, and trusting them with a very important day in your life.
2. Score a Deal
Bridal shows are one of the biggest perks to being a bride in our opinion, especially if you’re on a strict budget. We’ve found that vendors who participate in bridal expos often have “show specials” which are essentially discounts on their services if you book a meeting or sign a contract at the show.
Take advantage of the opportunity to save with bridal show specials. If you’ve done a bit of research online prior to heading to a bridal show, you could go in knowing which vendors you are most interested in working with and score an awesome deal on someone you might have wanted to book, anyway! It never hurts to ask if a vendor is running a show promotion.
3. Get Advice
Many of the wedding vendors showcasing their work at the bridal shows have several years of experience in the industry. Most of these creatives are also extremely passionate about weddings and the services they provide. Ask them questions! They will be happy to offer suggestions and advice to assist you with your planning.
4. Win Prizes!
Many vendors offer show giveaways and door prizes to potential couples who visit their booths. You can sign up for the chance to win all sorts of items for your wedding, from photography sessions to wedding cakes, to a free wedding dress, or even a free honeymoon!
5. Find Out What’s Trending
The best bridal shows bring together the very best vendors in a given area. The best vendors are typically up-to-date with the ever-changing trends of the wedding industry. Much like the fashion world, styles in the wedding world are constantly evolving, and often times vendors will showcase what’s new and hot in their show booths to attract modern couples. Many wedding shows include a fashion show portion to showcase what’s trending in the world of bridal fashion as well. Enjoy your opportunity to view the latest bridal fashions or the most popular bridesmaid dresses to get inspiration for your wedding day look.
