Did you go to a Bridal show/expo?

I was in the same boat you are when I went to bridal shows. I had a lot of big things already booked, but I still liked looking at what people had, so I felt bad when I was like - "Oh well - I already have a photographer, but thanks!"

Nevertheless I found them to be really overwhelming. So many people want you to look at their stuff and try their stuff and it was really too much for me. Don't go alone. You really should take 1 or 2 people with you if you get overwhelmed easily. They will help ask the questions you might forget to ask. And they might spy something you may have otherwise missed!

You will, however, get some great ideas from different vendors even if you already have that type of vendor booked. Oddly enough, I got a lot of decor ideas from the way the vendors booths were set up and decorated!

I would also suggest primarily focusing on what you still need. If you need a DJ - focus on the DJ's. Once that's out of the way you can have a lot more fun browsing.

When I went, I had nothing planned. I mainly went to find out about other venues and to do cake tasting. The facility was too small and I'd just had surgery that weekend so we only stayed about half hour.

I went and got ideas... collected a lot of stuff... got ideas like to have a photo booth but they were way out of budget... but helped us discus ways around the photo booth...

I went to one because it was at our venue. We found our photographer there. And tasted food from our caterer.

I went to one when all of my vendors were basically booked.. I went to get decor ideas and to sign up for free stuff (honeymoons, registry, decor, etc).. It can't really hurt to go..

I've been to some. Mainly to focus on finding our cake. But also to get ideas on just the little things.

Has anyone booked an officiant that they met at a bridal show?

I went to one and booked my DJ and florist from it. Our venue was already booked and they were there as well so for us it was good. I think they are great places to get ideas even if you have places and people booked. Great time to taste food vendors also. I recommend still going.

I went to one with a friend. It was here and I am getting married in another state so it was kind of pointless, but it was $5 to get in, we got lots of freebies, and we hit all the photo booths. So we had a good time at least.

I go to as many as I can. I like them they are lots of fun! One of my sisters(which is also my brudemaids) attend them with me....my mom has went before. I talk to vendors get different ideas....we have a blast in the photobooths. We just enjoy the atmosphere. I say where comfortable clothing and tennis shoes also if you have address labels with your info printed take them with you it keeps you from having to write info over and over.

I went to two with FH, we found our photographer and caterer there. Just get a bunch of info, it comes in handy later, and its easier to compare after the event.

I've been to three of them Mostly because they are so much fun. My fiance went with me the first time; my sister and niece went the second time, and the last one my mom, future stepdaughter, sister and niece went along. We found our DJ, photobooth, bridesmaid dresses (at a fashion show they were doing), and men's attire. We got a discount on the photobooth, men's attire and DJ at the show. We're going to another one in February.

I am going to the third one in a couple weeks. I went alone to the first two. I wanted to be able to focus on each vendor without distractions from anyone with me or let anyone go that may get me sidetracked. I collected a lot of business cards, freebies, registered for prizes, got several coupons, tasted food and got menus that we later compared to decide on our caterer. My FH, MOH and son are going with me to the next one. Your return address labels come in very handy...and save time.

I went to several and took FH with me. (He wanted to come!!) At the first one we won a Photo booth package. At another one, we played the "Shoe Game" and was awarded a free cake. We love going to them. Since our date is so far away, we go for ideas and freebees!

Oh and I won MaryKay for spa days for me and my girls. The first one was amazing.

First and foremost, hello fellow 2014 Bride, me too! Plus hello DMV Bride!! I have been going to shows, prior to my engagement, b/c I wanted to get into the business...but after the engagement I have been with mostly FH, and we kind of go to get more ideas as well as free stuff....We went to the T Rose International bridal a few months ago, and won the grand prize, trip to Orlando, gift baskets of goodies, and more, stuff I would never imagine, plus yhave fun meeting other brides and gettting a feel of the business!

I've been to a few and none of them were really helpful. I didn't use any vendors that I found at a bridal show. You can win prizes though and get discoutns on vendors if you plan to use someone you find. The first time I went I brought FH and every time after that I went by myself and didn't bring anything. I think its worth going for the possibility of winning prizes, but that's about all.

I've been to two...and I'll probably not go to another one (unless my venue holds another one). The first one was at my venue (before we chose it as our venue) and it was awesome...it was a smaller scale one, but it really help me decide to use that venue, and I ended up getting a coupon to use on my wedding dress there, and met an awesome travel agent and got info. about the hotels around the area. The other one I went to was pretty huge (in Baltimore) and it was somewhat overwhelming. There were just too many vendors/people for me....but I did get some great ideas!

I've been to. One with FH to get a basic outline. Then I went with my MOH and we looked at a lot of things. Went to an unhelpful one with my mom, then, once we had everything pretty much sorted out, I went to one with my mom and MOH and we had a great time looking at ideas for DIYing the centerpieces and for bouquets. Definately take a camera (most will let you take pictures) and someone. You don't need to take a full binder (its cumbersome if you have one as big as mine) but do take a small notebook with some questions you want to ask certain types of vendors and to take notes on some of them. Its easy, if its a big one to get mixed up on vendors (they will all be shoving their cards in your face)

Even if you have a lot of the larger vendors locked down, it's sometimes a good idea to go to the shows/expos in case you may have forgotten about some of the smaller details. They can certainly be overwhelming at times (trust me, it's overwhelming from a vendor's perspective too!) but if you keep an open mind and positive attitude then you're bound to at least have some fun, even if you don't necessarily find anything of use to you.

And Soon to be mrs K is so right that it's a great place to find DIY ideas. It's a lot better seeing stuff in person than online.

Good luck and have FUN!

I haven't been to one yet, but there's one coming up in my area in a few weeks and I can't wait to go. Reading these posts has been helpful - I'm definitely going to take my notebook and a sheet of return address labels! I don't have any vendors booked yet (don't even have a date pinned down at this point), so I'm going to keep an open mind and see what's out there. Hopefully I'll get a lot of good ideas!