The Great Bridal Expo..

LOL I just got the flyer and holding it in hands FH just brought the mail in I was thinking about going!

Yay Tampa!! I went to a show over at A La Carte Pavilion -- but I think that one's at the Convention Center? If you're just starting out, it can be a good way to get a lot of ideas, find vendors you may not have known of otherwise, and possibly win some prizes.

SUGGESTION!! Create an email address just for wedding stuff -- you will be BOMBARDED after the show. And if you can make address labels with your info, it'll save you hand from writing your info over and over.

I'm in the Tampa area (and I apologize if I've replied to posts from you before and I've forgotten) and there's a few of us from around here that would be happy to help if you need! Happy planning!

I have tickets for the one in Chicago so if/when you go.... post and let me know what to expect!

I dont live in Tampa but I go often. FH also attends. We have won a free wedding cake and I also used that oppurtunity to persuade FH on the photo booth for our reception. He was sold. We also love the freebies. I thought he would hate it but he asks me when is the next one. He even gives ideas on the fashion during the fashion shows.

NTM, we played the " Shoe Game" at a show and now we are incorporating it into our Reception as well.

I went to the one in NYC - it was fabulous. Great tasty tidbits, lots of wedding mags & nice folks. Keep in mind many of the vendors are pricey, so don't expect any real bargains for vendors, but they were all excellent. It's fun and you'll get free champagne or wine.

Agree with the wedding email. Also, create some business cards. You are going to be asked to provide contact information and if you have them it helps alot.

Also, bring water. If yours is anything like the ones in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Orange County, you are going to be tastine a lot of food and a clean palate helps alot.

Wear comfortable shoes and attire and bring an extra bag for all the loot you're going to get.

Keep in mind that while it is fun and a great place to get ideas, the participating vendors can spend thousands of dollars trying to get you to stop by their booth ... so I agree ... come prepared, with at the very least, the mindset that vendors will be asking to get in touch with you after the show! If you stop by to sample something or agree to take a freebie please leave your contact information! At the very least it will get our hopes up.

I completely agree that the email address is a lifesaver! I also made labels that had the following:

My Name

FH name

Address

Email

Wedding date and Location

They were awesome! Saved my hand alot of work!

I've been thinking about going to the one in tampa...they are always so much fun!

I agree with Courtney make the sticky labels!!

Personally, I didnt really like the expo at least the one in Philly. There were no tastings just vendors, but there were sooo many people that I really didn't get to talk to anyone because I didnt want to stand in line. DB did the fashion show but it was taking too long for it to start so we left. I like doing the smaller shows. Also, I NEVER pay for bridal shows, I just got an email for free tickets to the bridal expo. I always get something in my email for free tickets.

Yea, great idea Courtney. I know at the first show I attended, they sold preferrated (sp) cards with your info on them. I then made labels but that took forever and they got stuck to the containers that the raffle entries were held in. So in return, I used a word document, typed my info, dupilcated it several times, printed a few copies and cut them myself.