Bridal expos are a one-stop shop for wedding planning

By Kim Roberts
Clarion Herald
    
One of the advantages of attending a bridal expo is access to a wide variety of vendors all in one location. Engaged couples have the opportunity to meet with wedding industry professionals in a relaxed atmosphere with ample time to explore options and make informed decisions about their wedding plans.

“Bridal expos provide one-stop shopping opportunities for brides and grooms,” said Cheryl Welliver, a spokeswoman for Welliver Productions Bridal Expo. “Brides and grooms can connect with wedding experts in one place, and they don’t have to go knocking on doors or get on the internet and wing it because somebody has a great website. They can actually talk face-to-face with the vendors.”

She stressed the importance of meeting the vendors in person and getting a feel for their style to see if they are a good match for your wedding.

“Bridal expos give couples the chance to ask questions and gather information in an informal setting,” Welliver said. “If couples find what they are looking for during the expo, they can actually get on a vendor’s calendar – if they are available – and start the planning process.”        
The 29th annual Bridal Expo at Lakeside Mall July 27-28 (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday) will give engaged couples the chance to meet with local florists, photographers, caterers, wedding gown and tuxedo specialists, musical entertainment options – both DJs and live bands – and other wedding services.

“We will have a variety of everything in the wedding business available at the upcoming expo,” Welliver said. “Any service you could possibly need to make your wedding perfect, you could find during the weekend event that is free and open to the public.”

Wedding expo tips

According to Brides.com some tips for attending a bridal expo include:

Bring the people who matter: Whether it’s your fiancée or mother, there’s likely another person whose opinion matters most when it comes to wedding planning, and having them attend the expo with you provides the opportunity to discuss ideas and make vendor decisions on the spot.

Check with your gut: It’s important that your vendor’s energy matches your own, from the photographer to the caterer to the wedding planner, everyone needs to be on the same page with the engaged couple.

Do your homework: While some wedding expos have vetting processes for the vendors they showcase, not all follow the same standards. The only true way of knowing if a vendor has the experience necessary to work with you on your big day is to do some follow-up research. Read their reviews and look at complete galleries of real events they’ve worked on before signing a contract.

Ask for suggestions: If you do go with a professional from a wedding expo, don’t be afraid to lean on them for suggestions for other vendors. Knowing that they work well with other vendors is a plus.

Expo benefits

According to Welliver, an expo provides an opportunity for couples to gain inspiration for their wedding theme and décor. Many vendors set up displays to showcase their products and services in a creative way. This can help couples visualize how their own wedding could look.

Samples and tastings are also available during bridal expos, giving couples a chance to taste the food they may want to serve on their special day. From cakes to hors d'oeuvres to main courses, sample sizes are usually available.

Fashion shows are also a big part of the bridal expo experience. Welliver said couples can expect to see either bridal gowns, tuxedos or bridesmaids’ dresses modeled sometime during most expos. “During our bridal expo at Lakeside, we will have two hours of live modeling on Saturday presented by Bliss Bridal, featuring bridal gowns for every budget.”

Most importantly, with so many vendors gathered in one place, the happy couple will have plenty of expert advice to choose from depending on what type of wedding they are planning.

“Most bridal expos provide the perfect opportunity for couples to calmly walk around, meet and visit with exhibitors they are interested in, and pass by the ones they aren’t interested in,” Welliver said. “They have complete control of the experience and can come and go as they please.”

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