Bridal Expo

I didn't go, and I'm not bummed I didn't. From what I've heard from other brides, it's typically a lot of "winning" prizes that you don't really "win". Like a boudoir shoot but you pay for any of the photos. You win a pot set but have to sit through a 4 hour cooking demonstration, etc.

I went... it was mostly fun just getting to sample hors douvres and drinks from my venue lol, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t have just done at our tasting. I went with my mom and we had an enjoyable time, but I didn’t feel like I got anything out of it... like I didn’t find any new vendors or win anything legit.


Only went because my venue was only 20 mins away lol. And like, we had a nice time I guess, but it wasn’t really worth it? I mean, I totally could’ve done without going. I’d say it’s definitely not worth a 3 hour drive.

I didn't go to any and I don't regret not going.

I've never been to one as a visitor, but I used to work them for a caterer. They are stressful and chaotic and didn't really seem that helpful for the people visiting. Also, everyone "wins" those Mary Kay "makeovers".

I went to one January last year. Not sure if it was the introvert in me, but it was extremely overwhelming. "Won" tons of things, but of course everything had tons of strings attached, and I am still to this day "winning" things and getting texts and emails with offers from vendors. It was cool for exposure to vendors I wouldn't have thought of, like a local candy apple shop or a slow motion video "photo" booth, but I totally could've gone without going. There have been 2 or 3 more since then and I haven't gone again even as my date gets closer.

If you really want to go to one, go to one close to home to see if you like it! I went and had a ton of fun, but I agree, those "winnings" aren't really worth much!

I've been to three bridal expos, in different cities here in the Bay Area. I don't regret going to any of them, but it wasn't the earth-shattering wedding experience I was hoping for.

Yes, there are lots of things to "win" that are actually marketing ploys to get you to buy something. But there are also actual things to win. Just about every booth has tickets to a raffle of some sort. I won some free makeup once. I also "won" the boudoir shoot. That is a mixed bag. The shoot is free, but the rest of their pricing is pretty expensive, so I'm still not sure I'm going to go through with it.

But I did enjoy getting to taste food and dessert samples from various vendors. Whether it's worth it or not really depends on what your expectations are of getting something out of it. It can be a great place to find vendors if you're just beginning planning. It can be a great starting off point when you don't know where to start. It's also a great place to just go and talk about everything wedding.

I wouldn't drive 3 hours to one, but I did enjoy the closer ones I attended. They are all over, so maybe see if you can find one closer in the future.

I went to one like a week after my FH and I got engaged. For us it was worth it, we didn't have any idea of where we wanted to have the wedding. I had a few ideas, but the venue I wanted to look at had a booth there so we were able to set up a viewing for that day and booked it a few days later. I think if you are searching for vendors it is worth going.

I went to one just last weekend. We had a good time. It helped us go ahead and book our photographer because we got to talk to them in person. It's a fun opportunity to try some food and cake if you haven't booked those things yet. Or even if you have booked them lol. If you have the time, there's no harm in going but if you don't want to, you probably aren't missing much.

Do your research on the ones your considering. I’ve been to several. Some were not good and like others said the prizes “won” is after people calling and trying to sell you stuff. However, I did go to one where I did actually win a $200 gift card and $3,000 yes $3,000 in lazer liposuction that I don’t have to pay anything for. They were pulling names for 5 brides to dig into a wedding cake for prizes from various gift cards to a diamond neclace. So that was awesome! You may get to try some samples of local bakers and caterers. They can be a fun girls day.

I have been to a few so far and i do enjoy them! my FH even came to the last one with me and he even liked it!! (there’s lots of free snacks/food)
i would say at least go to one! even make it a date and get your FH to go along or some of your bridesmaids!

I’m going to one this upcoming weekend to get an idea for vendors mostly. I also don’t know what style of dress I want and I’d much rather see them in person and figure out which shops carry which designers. I don’t care about the free things but if I could potentially win $1000 off a dress at a shop I plan on visiting, then I’ll enter their raffle. For $10 it’s worth it to me just to get some ideas going.

We went to a smaller one that included a lot of vendors that we were considering or had heard of. It was fun to walk around and eat samples, but honestly I found it to be overwhelming. I'm quite introverted and have done the vast majority of my wedding planning by contacting people via email an then moving forward in person when the decision has been made. Everyone wants you to stop and talk to them. Of course people are friendly, but I just got sick of talking and regurgitating our wedding plans and then eventually I just tried to keep up my pace and not make too much eye contact with vendors we don't have much interest in (like videographers). I spent too much time being nice at the beginning and talking to vendors we wouldn't need (like this cute food truck that serves fancy coffee and desserts... we are planning cake and ice cream!). All of this could be totally fun for someone who is extroverted, just not for me!

My FH and I went to a few and we actually found our photographer at one and our weekend of coordinator. They can be great if you are still in search for vendors but they can also be incredibly overwhelming with soooooo many people there.

I enjoy going to them. I have most of my main vendors booked but went to one this past weekend and was able to focus on the vendors I needed. I also got some new ideas and gives me a way to make sure I’m not Forgetting anything. I plan on going to most that are going on in the area just to make sure I have everything or for decorating ideas. Also the bonus of getting something free or the possibility of it is fun.

We went to one that cost a little ($15 for the both of us?) and I thought it was a giant waste of money and time. The vendors weren’t what we were looking for in terms of quality or price. It was just signing up to get advertised to.


We went to one hosted by a venue that we were seriously considering signing. The venue had a package deal that had a lot of vendors they select for you (which you have the option of not using). It was free to go, and their vendors would also be able to showcase their work. I am glad we went before signing because the quality of everything was worse than we had anticipated, and we quickly decided we didn’t want to sign that venue after all!
Anything put on by a place you are seriously considering is worth going to; it’s a small time investment before putting thousands of dollars with them.