What to expect at a bridal expo?

One thing I would recommand is bring address stickers with you wedding date and phone number and a pen. Bring a tote so you can put the packets and flyer you pick up. I went to one and my girlfriend gave me this and advice and it was a total time saver. you get alot of info at one time so you will want to keep notes one the vendors you liked. Also they are so much fun! You will come across samples of all different kinds. Have fun and enjoy your self. I would go early too they tend to get packed fast!

I took my BM my FH isn't super involved in the planning....It's more a girls thing unless he likes checking out dresses, cakes, tuxes, and other misc stuff. You'll find any thing for rents to pampering yourself. I went to the one in Duluth, MN at the DECC and it was big!

I'm going next weekend as well to an expo. I don't know exactly what to expect either but the tote and address labels sound like great advice. I actually should just carry them in my purse because I fill out the same information everytime I walk in somewhere! :-)

I agree with Sarah on the labels... You want to put those labels on EVERYTHING! You need to have... Name and FH name, address, phone (I would say this is optional... they do stop calling after a month or too, but it does get annoying!), email and wedding date. Take your camera... you can take pictures of everything and anything! Flowers and cakes are great to take pictures of... oh and the decor! I would not take FH... the poor guys that go are so lost, haha! More of a girls thing! OH... DON'T dress up... put on those walking shoes it will take you hours and I felt so bad for girls that dressed up!!! HAHA!

Cake! lots of yummy cake!! and no guy needed, but there will be champagne. my FH went to one with me, and he was one of five AND it was a big one in RDU, NC with around 500-800 people. just have fun! the vendors will take care of contacting you later

I went to one a few months ago and i saw quite a few guys there. most of them looked like they'd been forced to come lol but they were there nonetheless. mine did not accompany me. there'll be tons of vendors there. there'll probably be a fashion show. the one i went to had lots of giveaways. they gave away a honeymoon package worth $6500!

I would say know what you need and only talk to those vendors offering something you need. I went by every single booth last time and came home with a bunch of junk I didn't need. I'm going next weekend and I'm looking for specific things and won't waste the time talking to other vendors.

I am going to one if Feb. My FI is coming with me, but there is food and drinks so he will be happy. Thanks for the great ideas.

I've participated in several of these shows and the cost for a vendor to participate is anywhere between $200 to $1,200 for a booth for 4 hours.

All the vendors have worked very hard on their booths and presentation materials and it would be nice to just stop and take a look - they will appreciate it and you may find something you need or someone who can save you money.

I never contact people who enter my drawings (except the winner), but I've heard there are people who do. I've met some great people there and sampled some yummy food!

This is going to be a stupid question but I'm going to ask anyways since I need an answer!!!

How do you learn of bridal expos in your area? I live about an hour and a half from where I'm getting married, so I guess I should go to one closer to where the wedding will be taking place.

Sometimes they provide the labels and tote bag. Dont put your email on anything unless you want to be contacted ALL the time by them. I am still trying to get off mailing list from bridal expos. They are fun but only go to the booths that you need.

@loveat1stsite you can find out about them on this site, as well as brides.com, theknot.com, & sometimes on commercials.

I definitely recommend the labels, it saves so much time! The FH need not go if he's not into it, but a lot of guys do go. Basically expect a lot of people and expect some vendors to be pretty persistent on setting appointments w/them right then and there so you can "get a discount" some are good and some are BS but you don't know that till you really sit down w/them. Also, do NOT book anything w/them for your wedding because you're excited, tell them that if it's such a deal then you should get it for setting an appointment w/them to go over details further later, but don't book your wedding w/them right then and there unless you're absolutely positively sure about them, some do try to do that.

Have fun!

FREE STUFF...lots of it! I ate alllll the samples available LOL Looking forward to going again when FH gets here! Have fun

I went to an expo in november. LOTS of free stuff! i got 1994 precious monets toasting glasses that say bride and groom. i also got a free 50ft aisle runner. they gave out free massages and cake samples. umm sometimes theres a fashion show, the one i went to had one. theres deals like at the one i went to, if you put down a $30 deposit on your grooms tux all the groomsmen would get the whole suit for only $89 instead of $200. you can get special prices on photograhers and venues aswell. they are amazing! i absolutely loved going to them, its was a highlight. the one i went to even had a limo vendor there and they brough one of their stretch white hummer limo's and everyone could go in it and check everything out. it was amazing! you're going to have a blast, seriously! lol

Moments* ugh these fake nails make my typing horrible lol sorry!

Thank you ladies! I am sooo looking forward to my first day of expos now! The first one that we are going to is providing the labels, i'm unsure about the other one though. Thanks again I am so excited now!

My cousin suggested setting up a "wedding" email account, so your personal account is not bombarded with vendor emails & it keeps all wedding related info in one account!

Also going to shows in January!

Always ask the vendors if you can take pictures before you start snapping. While they really can't stop you, we do appreciate asking first. Some shows offer a special "Man Cave" for FH's where they have games on a big screen, snacks and such. Most newspapers publish a Bridal Tab in January, you will probably find info on any upcomming bridal shows, you can also ask local vendors, they should know about them too.

I have to agree with Kathleen! I used my personal e-mail address for the wedding expo and the e-mail's are NEVER ending!!!! Setting up a wedding gmail or yahoo account is a great idea!

I'm not really to worried about the number of e-mails. I'm aways on my computer when i'm home so I know when I recieve a new one. As long as I keep up with them I should be fine. Thanks ladies :-)