Top 7 Reasons To Attend A Wedding Show
"Go to a wedding show" is an item worth putting on your Wedding Planning To-Do List.
Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta
Thinking of going to a wedding expo? You totally should. Wedding shows and bridal fairs are a fun way to check off multiple wedding to-dos in one day. Plus, you can't beat the face-to-face interactions with vendors and the get-in-my-face cake samples!
But don't take our word for it: We've hit up some of our favorite wedding show partners for their expert take on why you should go to a wedding show.
1. It's like speed dating, but with wedding vendors.
- Bridal shows are a chance to make personal connections with vendors across every category. Instead of pouring over hundreds of reviews or making never-ending followup calls, you can meet 100+ wedding pros in just one afternoon.
—Bailee Ivey, Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta
- Anyone can have a great social media presence and dynamic website, but meeting your vendors in person can make the final booking decisions a whole lot easier. At a wedding show, you have the opportunity to have those face-to-face meetings in an efficient and non-committal way.
—Renee Roberts and Marc McIntosh, Team Wedding Marketing
- Instead of aimlessly searching through website after website, you get to have face-to-face conversations with your potential vendors. Your vendors are the people that surround you and serve you on your most important day, so this is the best way to make sure you really "click" with your team.
—Johna Castro, The Big Fake Wedding
2. Wedding shows are the epitome of one-stop shopping.
- Planning a wedding takes a lot of time, especially when you have to drive all over town for meetings and appointments. At a wedding show, you will realize true time savings because you can knock out dozens of meet-and-greets, tastings, and tasks in just a few hours.
—Renee Roberts and Marc McIntosh, Team Wedding Marketing
- From the dress to the honeymoon you can turn your vision into reality, narrow down choices and priorities, and have fun planning your wedding—all in one place, in one afternoon. Find everything for your wedding, have fun with your crew, get some bridal swag, and make sure to taste some cake!
—Jessica Lee, Florida Wedding Expo
3. You'll get inspired by the latest trends.
- A lot of what you see online and on websites like Pinterest comes to life at a show. Many of the latest trends and creative design ideas are showcased, and you'll learn more about how to incorporate some of these things into your wedding (and also how they impact your budget).
—Jessica Lee, Florida Wedding Expo
- Sometimes attending a bridal show sparks an idea that you wouldn't have had otherwise! For example, maybe your groom didn't know that bacon bars even existed! Or maybe you were planning to go with a regular photo booth and saw all the GIF, slow-motion options that are out there now. Or maybe you realized how special it would be to have a live painter at your ceremony.
—Johna Castro, The Big Fake Wedding
4. It's an interactive experience.
- You can see, feel, touch and taste—things that you can't do when looking at a magazine or researching online. The best shows are full of interactive experiences including fashion shows, "Glam Bars" where you can try out hair and beauty styles, "Ring Selfie Stations" to socially show off your bling, DIY projects such as "Flip Flop Bars" where you can make a custom-adorned pair to wear as you get ready on your big day, and of course, signature drinks and tasting flights of sweets and savories.
—Renee Roberts and Marc McIntosh, Team Wedding Marketing
- Want to actually watch your band perform before the big day? What about seeing how that food truck you want really serves their guests? This is the beauty of observing vendors in action—it takes out the guesswork!
—Johna Castro, The Big Fake Wedding
5. They typically involve a wedding fashion show.
- Most bridal shows feature a fashion show where models strut down a runway rocking all the latest trends in gowns and dresses for the bride, bridesmaids, and mother of the bride and groom, as well as men's formalwear. Here, couples have an opportunity to find the perfect wardrobe for themselves and each member of their bridal party!
—Megan Capone, Elegant Bridal Productions
6. Wedding shows are full of discounts, giveaways, and freebies. Oh my!
- It's no secret that weddings are expensive. Bridal shows are a great way to take advantage of exclusive vendor offers for attendees, and score some freebies in the process! Not to mention, the giveaways! There are tons of prizes and giveaways around every corner.
—Bailee Ivey, Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta
- Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, bridal shows now greet couples with a bag full of goodies as they walk in the door at each event. The shows are also full of door prizes, gifts, and discounts for everyone in attendance.
—Megan Capone, Elegant Bridal Productions
Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta
7. Simply put, they're a ton of fun!
- Bridal shows make for the perfect girls' day out for you and your bridesmaids. A squad can help you collect info from vendors, provide the oh-so-valuable input on which cake flavor is the tastiest, and can assist you in the big decisions, too. Make one part of your bachelorette trip, or arrange it as a separate event that starts with brunch and ends with tons of tasty samples and inspiration at the show. We love seeing bridal parties that attend in matching t-shirts, bridal sashes, crowns, and everything in between to make memories.
—Bailee Ivey, Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta
- Wedding planning can be stressful. This is a night where is doesn't have to be. You can meet new businesses and check some to-dos off your list while you're all dressed up and dancing your booty off!
—Johna Castro, The Big Fake Wedding
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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor