To say attending a Wedding Expo can be overwhelming is an understatement, but it doesn’t have to be. They are a great resource with the areas top vendors in nearly ever aspect of weddings. From venues, to florist, photographers, videographers, rentals, etc. It’s basically a one stop shop for everything you need for your wedding day.

Here are a few tips for making the most of any Wedding Expo:

Sit down with your soon-to-be spouse and make a list of the vendors you still need for your wedding.
Now that you have your list of vendors needed check out the list of vendors that will be at the Wedding Expo. Do a quick search online to check reviews and mark down which vendors you want to be sure to chat with while you are at the Wedding Expo. If the reviews are bad or they are simply not your taste there is no point in wasting your time, when it is already limited for these big events. Most Expos provide a map of vendor locations on their website, print it off and highlight which vendors you want to visit with. Make sure not to narrow it down too much, especially if your wedding is for the current year. Many vendors may have your date booked already, so have at least three or four in mind to visit.
Next, now that you’ve narrowed down the vendors a bit, you’ll want to make a list of questions to ask when you chat with each vendor.
Add the vendors you are looking at on social media, this will help you get to know them a little better before the Wedding Expo and may give you a good idea of what it would be to work with them. Some even give away tickets to get into the expo.
Bring a sturdy notebook to take notes and write down inspiration ideas. Write down which vendors you’ve chatted with and any thing you want to note about the particular vendor. Also, on this note bring your planner to schedule any consults for vendors you’d like to chat with further. Especially if you hit it off you’ll want to schedule a consult ASAP. Many vendors schedules fill up quickly after a Wedding Expo, the longer you wait the less likely they will still have your date available.
Bring your phone and take photos of inspiration to go along with your notes so you have a visual representation of your ideas to share with your fiancé/fiancée and vendors during the planning process.
Some vendors will have you fill out your information to be contacted further or enter a giveaway, some find it helpful to print off labels with your contact information so you don’t have to waste time writing your contact information 101 times. Include your name(s), address, phone number, and most importantly email.
Only bring those that are important in the planning process. These events have a tendency to be crowded and the larger your crew is the more difficult it will be to navigate through the aisles. Mom, maid of honor and your fiancé/fiancée are pretty typical, and sometimes the occasional sibling.
Dress comfortably. You will do lots of walking and standing, this is not the place for heals. There is typically a coat check, take advantage of this or plan to dress in light layers.
Taste test all the cake. Seriously. YUM. This is very important for…research, yes research.
Ask all the questions, take your time with the vendors you are most interested in, and remember to have fun.

If you have questions feel free to leave them in the comments below I usually can get them answered in 24-48 hours.

Sample Wedding Expo Display from Ruby Design and Nature’s Best Floral

Another example of one of the many inspirational area designs from the 2019 Wedding Expo at Shopko Hall

My booth from 2016, baby Max was born about a month after this photo was taken!

A beautiful sequins table scape by Ruby Design and Nature’s Best Floral

How to Survive Wedding Expos Stress Free