Introduction
My team and I had a blast at the Roanoke Bridal Expo at The Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center this past Sunday, August 4th. Capture it Events hosts bridal expos in multiple locations throughout the year, and the raves and reviews from couples and vendors alike show how amazingly organized and fun their shows are!
At the Roanoke Bridal Expo this past Sunday, I was so blessed to have one of my favorite assistants with me, my husband! We are almost total opposites, but one thing we do well together is working with people. Expos are my ‘place’. Next to planning and coordinating a beautiful wedding day and meeting new people, bridal expos are my second favorite place to be. I have met so many amazing couples, chatted with tons of moms and best friends, and have made amazing groups of vendor friends from showcasing my wedding planning services at the expos. The best part is that these bridal expos are typically local to my central area in Lexington, VA, and that means that the attending brides-to-be are in my backyard. Well, there’s a river, tall woods and wildlife in my backyard of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but generally speaking, most of the couples are planning their wedding day within an hour’s drive of their house. That’s why I am writing this very important blog on 10 Great Reasons to Attend Your Local Bridal Expo!
1. Meet Local Vendors Face-to-Face
Attending a bridal expo provides the opportunity to interact with local vendors and venues in person. You get to meet the faces behind the names, which really makes a difference. Meeting florists, photographers, and others in your area helps gauge their personality and style. Find top talent within your community. Compare and contrast, gain valuable insights, and ask all the questions. You can sometimes even chat with them about expo discounts on services and packages.
2. Discover Unique Ideas and Trends
Bring your phone and pull up your Pinterest boards because bridal expos are the life versions of your visions. They offer inspiration from the latest wedding trends and showcase tons of different aesthetic options to meet your needs.. Local vendors in Roanoke, Lynchburg and all over Virginia showcase diverse decor ideas to personalize your wedding.
3. Enjoy Exclusive Show-Only Discounts
Take advantage of special promotions and discounts available only at bridal expos. For instance, at the Roanoke Bridal Expo, my booth showcased some free goodies and a huge incentive that was a gift for expo brides only. When you attend the expos, you can save on various services from dresses to catering. You can plan your entire wedding in just a few hours by booking your consults on the spot with your multiple vendors!
4. Sample Delicious Cakes and Catering
My kids and neighbors love it when I come home from local bridal expos because I always come home with yummy plates of delicious cakes and mouth watering catering samples, like the maple donut bites from Pumpernickel Pickle Catering! You can experience cake tastings and catering samples at bridal expos, not having to worry about lunch because you’ll get everything in one spot. I suggest you bring your water bottle with you to stay hydrated as you’ll be enjoying tasty treats and planning a memorable wedding menu in the comfort of your local backyard.
5. Access to Expert Advice
You can benefit from direct guidance from wedding planning experts like me. Receive valuable tips on budget management and timeline creation. Ask questions and gain insight on the personality of the planner and the value of their work. At the Elegant Events by Leece booth, you can have a ‘Meet with Leece’ session, bottled water included, to chat about your big day, your vision, and to set up a future free virtual consult with Leece. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, get info, and make impactful decisions for your wedding day planning.
6. Find Ideas for Every Aspect of Your Wedding
Explore a wide range of wedding essentials like gowns, tuxedos, invitations, and favors. Find all you need to plan your dream day in one place. Ask the vendors about their travel fees, their insurance, and ask for examples of weddings they’ve worked that were in the same month as your big date. A lot of booths at the bridal expos will have the vendor’s samples. For instance, the florist will probably have a few examples out for each season to showcase some different options for your bouquet. When you’re visiting the different booths, be sure to take your time and take notes on what you like and don’t.
7. Connect with Other Brides and Grooms
Before the internet, there were expos, shows, and magazines in the stores you could buy! An inspiration board was an actual poster with cut outs from the magazines that were glued on to the board. A bride would ask her friends and chat with other brides, over the landline phone that was attached to the wall, to get insight on local vendors. It used to be a search in the Sunday news paper to look for local opportunities. Then the internet came around and all was fixed! Except, you can’t taste the baker’s speciality cake pops over your computer! It’s got to be done in person.
This is why attending bridal expos like the Roanoke Bridal Expo and the Lynchburg Bridal Expo is crucial to your wedding planning. You get to share experiences, tips, and build connections with fellow couples at bridal expos. Combat wedding planning isolation by engaging with others on the same journey. You can also get inspiration from other couples and maybe even share decor for your reception!
8. Enjoy Interactive Experiences
Engage in interactive activities such as fashion shows and DIY workshops at bridal expos. Visualize your wedding day and explore possibilities firsthand. From dresses being showcased to putting on a fun getup for photobooth, there’s something for every couple at the expos. There’s also prizes and gift bags that the organizers and vendors hand out. You’ll probably leave an expo with more business cards and pamphlets than you’d get driving around for days to all the different vendor’s businesses!
9. Get Organized with Planning Tools
Utilize planning tools like checklists, budget trackers, and inspiration boards provided inside my MEGA BUNDLE to help you as you attend your local bridal expos. Stay organized and focused on your wedding preparations. Your phone is handy, your ipad is awesome, but bringing a binder or a file folder that holds all of the loose leaf flyers and cards can prove to be really helpful. Don’t forget that you brought your crew with you! Use your fiance’s hands to hold things, give your bestie the bag to carry gifts, and remember to have everyone wear comfy shoes. Bring a notepad to write stuff down and if you need a pen, come by the Elegant Events by Leece booth to borrow one!
10. Feel the Excitement and Joy
Experience the joy and excitement of all things wedding-related at your local bridal expos. Share in the enthusiasm with others and anticipate your special day. Don't miss out on the valuable and enjoyable experience of attending your local bridal expos. Try to attend multiple expos as different vendors might be at the next one.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 10 Great Reasons to Attend Your Local Bridal Expo! Remember to stay up to date with the vendors web presence and social media outreach, and to set up a separate folder in your online cloud for all things wedding related! Don’t forget to check your email as vendors will usually send out speciality announcements and discounts just for expo brides. When you’re ready to book with a vendor, mention that you saw them at the expo, they’ll probably be excited you went with them all from your experience at the expo. Whether you're starting your planning journey or finalizing details, the bridal expos are a powerhouse of inspiration and fun. Grab your loved ones and make it a memorable and fun day.
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Work with Leece and her team at Elegant Events by Leece for a wedding experience that exceeds your dreams and expectations. Learn more about Leece's personalized planning packages by booking a free consultation today!
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