Going to my first wedding expo

The vendors are extremely pushy. I would look at the list of vendors in advance to see if there’s anyone you’re interested in, some give discounts if you book at an expo.

I'm going to my first on the 25th also, I really haven't done much planning but looking just to get ideas.

They are all really pushy so if you're not ready to book with any of them tell them your shopping around and you'll take their card and will call if you decide to go with them. Good luck and have fun!

The one I went to had so many vendors. They have us all a bunch of raffle tickets that we could use to put into the vendors boxes to be entered to win whatever they might be offering. As PP said, a lot of the vendors felt pushy but we had most of our vendors already booked so we only went to the ones we were interested in.

Definitely look up what vendors will be there ahead of time so you know who you want to meet with. Someone suggested to me to print out my name, address, and phone number onto label stickers so I don’t have to write it a million times. Didn’t do that but really wish I did because all the writing got super annoying 😂 some vendors will pressure you to book right then and there to get a discount, but if you’re not 100% ready to book yet don’t give in! (A lot of the time the discount isn’t as much as it seems like). Some vendors will still honor the discount if you book with them later on too which I like much better. Other than that, just try and relax and have fun! I got super overwhelmed at the first one i went to, so the second one I made sure I focused on which vendors I wanted to meet with (photography & DJ for example) and went from there.

I've been to two. I hate them but I'm also claustrophobic with large groups of people. I went with one other person to both and allowed them to take point when I needed them too. I will say that you can win free stuff, eat free food, and get a lot of info from them. Just have someone with you, keep the conversations quick, and pick up everything.

My number one suggestion before you do any wedding panning is to create a separate wedding email address. You are going to be giving out your email address to so many vendors that you don’t want your regular email to become overloaded... and this way you can keep track of all wedding related stuff. Besides that just go and explore and get all the information from each vendor you may be interested in, don’t make any final decisions there... just take it all home and look over it to decide on later... enjoy!

Make a spam email to give to vendors if you want to sign up for anything. Remember that their sweepstakes wins are usually scams. Do use the opportunity to quasi "interview" vendors in person.

I went to one once. You get some freebies.

Hi!
So I would say you can expect lots of different vendors (DJ's, bridal salons, photographers, caterers, etc.) for the most part. It's a lot to look at for sure but a fun experience. It will also depend on if it's a big expo where they invite vendors from other states or like a little local one. I find the little local ones give you a better chance at winning prizes, half off on things or discounts. I went to a smaller one and won 3 different things ($500 off band that was playing, a free pampering session and 20% off wedding photos). Sometimes the bigger ones will have vendors from other nearby cities that you probably won't want to use (they have to travel to you so that means travel fees $$&dollar

If your in the early planning stages then it may be a little overwhelming because it's so much but just walk around and take your time. They are meant to be fun and give you ideas. I would say before you go, make a list of vendors you actually need first. Like caterers (sample alllllll the good food) and photographer/videographer. Expos are good because you get to see what their product is and how they interact with people. You can ask them as many questions as you like!

So two things:

If your wedding is close, I'd say go prepared to meet with potential vendors you know you need. Do some research on who exactly will be there so you can get right to them. Make sure to have your questions ready. Go in with a game plan!

If you have some time just go and enjoy the experience. Eat all the food, dance to the various bands/DJ's, take all the goodie bags and free samples! Oh and enter in the drawings you might actually win something! Don't feel pressured to make any commitments just take a look at everything. But try to have some fun! Good luck!

I've been to a couple and the vendors are trying to sell their service so they are overly friendly. I agree with others to create an email account for everything wedding related. When you sign in at the registration table you will get a list of all the vendors and you will have to visit each vendors station and have them initial your list. Once you have all the vendors sign off you will turn your list in to the registration counter to be entered into the grand prize drawings. I created address labels that had me and my fiance name, my address, our wedding date and our wedding wedding email address on them because each vendor will ask for you to sign their email list so this was much more easier to just give them an address label. If they have the option to register as a VIP I suggest you do that for at least one of the shows you attend because they usually offer extra freebies and bridal bucks to use at the show. Have fun!!!!

There are lots of lists for you to jot down your name and email. I actually saw one bride print labels and just stick it on the paper instead of hand writing it over and over. But to be honest, only a few vendors actually reach out on their own afterwards.

It's great to get business cards, info packets, etc. to research their company later. Sometimes they even offer discounts for booking with them quickly.

It can be overwhelming but enjoy the experience!

You will feel very overwhelmed. And get ready for people to try to sell you things to try to use their product. It's okay to say no. But it is very helpful so good luck.

Thank you all so much! So I think I'll do the address labels because so far I see about 20 to 25 vendors listed, I'm very prepared to say no because I'm going for ideas and to check out caterers and photography/videography. I'll be going alone unless my MOH or a bridesmaid decide to go with me. I'll make sure I have my list of questions ready for each vendor. I plan on having fun and meeting new people.

I very highly recommend making a wedding email account like others have said - it's so nice to have an email address to give out that I don't mind getting spammed, and FH and I linked it to our accounts so we can access it easily at any time. I'd also pretty highly recommend having someone go with you. I'm definitely the type of person who doesn't mind doing things alone, but I went to my first bridal show by myself and literally everyone else I saw had at least one person with them. Lots of moms and friends, and even a few fiancés. Since then, I've gone to one with a bridesmaid and close friend, and one with another engaged friend and her mom. Otherwise, have fun, enjoy everyone congratulating you, take all the info you can, and don't feel obligated to book or sign up for anything on the spot.

I went to my first one as a bride yesterday but I went to 2 last year with my friend. They are hit or miss. Generally they are supposed to be vendors to help you with info about DJs, photography, dresses, cakes, etc. But the one I went to yesterday, Mad Bridal Expo, was at the Hampton Inn Suites in Milwaukee and it was awful. There was only their personal venue personnel, one caterer, no cake vendors, no one promoting wedding bands, no invitation vendors and half of the vendors didn't apply to weddings. There were alot of DJS and photographers but then there was alot of pointless Mary Kay, Pure Romance, Color Street, home made jewelry, etc. So I would definitely go but be prepared. Make a separate email to give the vendors so they don't blow up your email. I never give my number either. I was only at the expo yesterday for an hour but I won free champagne glasses

View Quoted Comment I hope I win something. I never win anything lol. I've seen the vendor list and they literally have every vendor needed for a wedding involved, including insurance. I thought it was like 20 vendors and there is a total of 56. I think I'm going to ask my mom or grandma to go with me so I won't be alone.

View Quoted Comment Ya it's a good idea to bring someone with

I went to my first yesterday. As an already married woman who went with her early 20's daughter, it was quite frustrating when I would explain that it was me who was looking for the info for a vow renewal. I get it but it was still frustrating to get the "oh, it's you and not the younger person" reaction. That being said, there were a lot of photography, videography, and DJ booths. Seems like those outnumbered the cake, venue, and floral booths by far. There was a lot of info and quite a few drawings to register for. Just be fully prepared for how pushy the vendors are and don't commit to anything until you're sure it's what you want.