Bridal Shows/Expos - worth it?

I didn't enjoy them- too much spam and people vying for your attention. If you do, make an email just for wedding stuff!

I booked my DJ at bridal expo and got some free add-ons. I think they're good for that purpose. You get some coupons and stuff. If you have vendors that you're interested in, that's a good time to go check them out too.

Tad bit of advice though: make a separate email address to give them. They will solicit the hell out of you. It's annoying when it is in your personal email.

Good advice on the email, y'all! I didn't think of that!!

One of my friends went to a bridal show and won the grand prize: she ended up getting her invitations and photography for free, and won a 4 day honeymoon in St Lucia.

So if for nothing else, the odd chance of winning would be my reason to go. Often times, vendors will offer discounts for people who meet with them at bridal shows also.

I think it's worth it to go to at least one! For sure create an email address just for this event because the host of the expo will share your information to all the vendors, even if you don't visit their booths! I booked my DJ through an expo, I won a 40% off discount so I paid way less than I was budgeting for. I wasn't ready to book a DOC, but after a lot of research I reached out to her and she gave me her bridal expo discount of $500 off. They have lots of specials and deals going on just check reviews before you book anyone! Of course there's tons of cake and food to sample too!

Don't forget to enter the raffle! I won a small package of champagne and champagne glasses but my friend won an engagement session!

I wouldn't pay to go to one. I went to two, one that charged admission and one that was hosted by our venue for their preferred vendors. We found our DJ there and got some other good information. The regular one wasn't that helpful, though all the free food was nice, and it was good practice for talking to vendors.

@Jessie, there is a $12 admission cost, but it does include a subscription to a bridal magazine *eye roll,* a t-shirt, and some other vendor bag gifts. My mom is shelling out, so techically it's free for me hahaha.

If you go to one it should be free. I went to one it was free and included a bridal bag. Some vendors will spam the heck out of you, so a separate wedding email would be helpful. I did meet some potential vendors at the one I went to. I say go to at least one.

I thought they were really helpful! Many of the vendors offered discounted rates if you booked through the show as well. Definitely go!

Check for promo codes, find out which vendors will be there and check out their FB page or IG. Both of the ones I attended were $10 but I found free promo codes for up to 4 tickets off vendors Facebook pages

I went to two expos. They were okay. I found them to be good for inspiration, and I got free advice from some very nice vendors. "Free" samples of cake, etc were fun. I agree with others that sometimes you can find a great deal with special discounts, etc. It's also great for speaking to vendors in person too. We ended booking our photographer at an expo and saved $500. It depends.

However, you will definitely experience vendors vying for your attention. I understand trying to make the sale, but it crossed the line sometimes. I went with my FH both times (we make all the wedding decisions together), and the most of the DJs honed in on him and ignored me. The second time we went, the Best Man (a mutual close friend for both of us) offered to tag along. We paid for his admission, and he was fantastic! Offered honest, constructive opinions, and the three of us had a lot of fun wandering around the expo. After speaking to a photobooth vendor, I heard them say within earshot of me: "Poor guys, getting dragged all the way here by the bride." FH and Best Man heard it too, and though we laughed it off at the time, I'm pissed now that I didn't go back and say something. It was so rude.

I say take everything with a grain of salt. You and your mom sound like you have good heads on your shoulders, so I'm sure you'll be fine. Just try to have fun with it.

I found my photographer at a bridal show and I'm so glad I went! You really do network with people and if nothing else you find ideas of what you like and don't like. I found it to be a really helpful experience.

My 2 cents on it. http://www.jayfarrellphotography.com/are-bridal-shows-worth-attending/

I went to one hosted by a local wedding website. Hated it and a waste of time. A lot of nothing. And they sold my information, including phone number, to lots of vendors. I still get calls from people I never spoke to telling me it was nice seeing me at the expo.

My venue had one that was worth it, a handful of each kind of vendor and tons of food and desserts to sample.

Biggest piece of advice is to create labels with all of your info on it ( bride/groom names, phone #, email, etc.). It saves a ton of time and if you're not looking to get stuck talking to vendors just stick the label and leave! But try out a few shows and check the page of the organization hosting it to see which vendors will be attending...that way you don't go to the same ones. You may win some door prizes or a honeymoon! Definitely create a wedding email specifically for vendors so you don't get spammed!!

I think it's worth going to one or two. I won a pearl and diamond jewelry set at one; I'm wearing for wedding. I also got a great deal with an awesome photographer. So I'd say definitely go you never know what you'll win or find.

@D&G114 Good point!! I completely forgot, but I ended up getting several phone calls saying I'd "won" a choice of wedding bands or one week vacation... as long as I went to this seminar on pots and pans at a hotel. I looked it up, and it ended up being a sales pitch/almost-scam.

Just be careful with your info. Take business cards instead of leaving your info. Or have a separate email account for wedding planning. Don't leave your number.

I went to one that my venue was hosting and my fiancée and I loved it. We got our photographer and photo booth from there. We also technically got our venue from it too because we were still on the fence but when we saw it dressed up and tasted their food we were sold. I say go for it! We had a great time

I went and got a great discount on both my DJ and photographer. My old roommate won free flowers when we went for her wedding. I agree with others to not give out your number and create an email account just for it. But go, get some free goodies and see what deals you can find. Worst that happens is you get some free cake.

To me they are 100% worth it! I won the grand prize of an entire photography package at the biggest one in my area and a luggage set at another one so they were totally worth it as well as the good information they had to offer.