Don't miss LA's LAST bridal show of the season! From traditional to trending, shop and compare top wedding ideas and services at the Premier Bridal Shows on August 14th at the elegant Radisson Hotel Newport Beach.  See 100s of wedding ideas and services as well as get inspiration and advice from local leading wedding experts.  Enjoy cake and food samples,  makeovers and live demos. Experience SoCals #1 Bridal Fashion Show featuring the latest in wedding styles.  Take advantage of show discounts, samples,  door prizes and giveaways. Spend the afternoon in comfortable elegance discovering the best options to make your dream wedding come true! Show hours are 11am - 3pm. Fashion Show is at 1pm. Door prize giveaways happen at 2pm and include honeymoon getaways and a $400 gift card to David's Bridal! Tickets are $15 at the door but you can get up to 60% off by purchasing on our website and using code LOVE60!

Don't miss LA's leading Bridal Expo at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank. This event brings together a collection of Southern California's top wedding professionals ready to "wow" brides and grooms with displays of wedding services as well as inspirations and ideas on how to make a dream wedding come into a reality. Shop and compare wedding services, sample food and fun, and experience Southern California's leading fashion show. Take advantage of show discounts, samples and giveaways. Spend the day discovering the best options to make your dream wedding come true. 
Show hours are 11am - 3pm. Fashion show is at 1pm and the Lock and Key Door Prize giveaway happens at 2pm. Get your tickets today!

Welcome to Hidden Acres, a historic, 22 acre treasure nestled in Lytle Creek, Ca. Filled with natural beauty, historic charm, and picturesque appeal, our property features running creeks, lakes, meadows, and breathtaking views. With multiple connected indoor and outdoor ceremony sites and unique reception venues, Hidden Acres is sure to have the perfect setting for your wedding or special event. 

More than just a venue, Hidden Acres is a team of creative professionals providing all-inclusive services to deliver personalized, designer weddings including gorgeous, custom bouquet and boutonniere floral, dinner setup and more! Our Perfect Wedding Package allows you to be as involved as you wish in design and planning but leave the details to us, so that you and your family can relax in confidence and cherish the most romantic day of your life.

Schedule a tour today on our website https://www.hiddenacresevents.com/ or call us at 909-473-1188

Be sure to check out Southern Magnolia Vintage Events at an upcoming Premier Bridal Show to see their latest, vintage decor and furniture pieces.
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"Southern Magnolia Vintage Rentals offer vintage, timeless decor and furniture pieces to any event. We specialize in event rentals and styling. From our beautiful blue velvet couch the Frank Sinatra to our matching Bonnie and Clyde sweetheart chairs, our furniture brings the vintage charm to your event. We look forward to being a part of your special day and every beautiful memory after that." ​

Meet Annie Bang from Annie Bang Photography in person at the upcoming Premier Bridal Shows May 1, 2022 DoubleTree by Hilton Anaheim/OC and May 22, 2022 Anaheim Convention Center.  Annie will be exhibiting her work and will be available to answer questions and let you know if she is available for your event. 

Don't miss Orange County's #1 Bridal Show happening May 1, 2022 in the gorgeous grand ballroom of the DOUBLETREE BY HILTON!

Wedding planning is made easy at OC’s leading Bridal Show.  Shop and compare local wedding services featuring the latest trends and ideas. Enjoy samples, food and fun while discovering the best options to make your dream wedding come true!

• Fashion Show featuring Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids Dresses, and Entertainment
• Door Prizes, Honeymoon Getaways and Wedding Gown Giveaway.
• Brides receives an eco-friendly, reusable tote to collect wedding samples, info, magazines, and more

Show hours are 11am - 3pm. The fashion show is at 1pm and the Lock and Key Door Prize Giveaway happens at 2pm.
Tickets are $15 at the door or you can get 50% off tickets by purchasing them in advance online at premierbridalshows.com
DoubleTree by Hilton is located in the City of Orange at 100 The City Drive.

Last year, there were only 1.9 Million weddings and with the Pandemic throwing off THOUSANDS of planned events, this year is going to be one of the BIGGEST in history!
Come plan for your wedding with us and all of our Professionals!
May 1, 2022 - DoubleTree by Hilton Anaheim/Orange County
May 22, 2022 - Anaheim Convention Center

Register & Purchase Tickets on our Website!

Check out Personalized Skin Care, Inc and what they can do for you to make sure you look stunning on your wedding day!  Lorena Coello, master Esthetician and founder of Personalized Skin Care and PSC product skin care line has been providing advanced skin care since 1993. With over 30 years of clinical experience for all skin care needs, she has 1000’s of happy clients ranging from 11 to 80+ years. Visit her website at 
 personalizedskincaresolution.com ​for more information or to book services.

The wait is over! It's time to get back to business and Premier Bridal Shows is excited to offer the best resource for Wedding Planning by bringing
Top-Quality, LOCAL Wedding Professionals together with
​Brides and Grooms looking to make their Dream Wedding come True! 

Premier Bridal Shows' Upcoming Wedding Expos
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March 20, 2022 - Long Beach Convention Center
May 1, 2022 - DoubleTree by Hilton Anaheim/OC
May 22, 2022 - Anaheim Convention Center 
July 17, 2022 - Marriott Convention Center Burbank/LA
August 14, 2022 - Hilton Pasadena
September 11, 2022 - Ontario Convention Center 
September 25, 2022 - Long Beach Convention Center
​October 30, 2022 - DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont

Calling All Bridesmaids!!! Here are a few tips to keep everyone in good spirits leading up to AND during your Bestie’s Big Day!

Let’s face it, unless you’re wearing comfortable flats, you’re going to be wearing heels during your ENTIRE ceremony & reception. Here’s a tip for avoiding that pain in brand new heels!

A perfect tip for brides, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride and groom! Keep your heels from killing you all day on your wedding day! Blow dry your heels from a safe distance, wait for them to warm up, and gently stretch until they are comfortable! This will break them in without wearing them before your big day!
Check out quality tips like this and many more at a Premier Bridal Show where wedding professionals come together to share their expertise and showcase their wedding services to brides-to-be. The next Premier Bridal Show will be happening January 30, 2022 at the gorgeous Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills. Get your tickets today!

​Premier Bridal Shows invites you to experience an afternoon of inspiration and wedding planning in the elegant Crystal Ballroom at the Hills Hotel Laguna on Sunday, January 30, 2022.  Shop, compare and get insights and advice from Southern California's leading wedding experts including florists, photographers, locations, fashion, DJs, wedding planners, invitations and more. Enjoy complimentary champagne, hors d'ouevres, cake samples and more. Take advantage of show discounts, samples, free magazines, give aways and amazing door prizes.  Each bride attending with receive an eco-friendly re-usable tote to fill will wedding info! Show hours are 11 am - 3pm.

Premier Bridal Shows is so excited to RING in the holidays!
We are looking forward to a wonderful new year producing Southern California's #1 Wedding Planning Expos!
​
We will be kicking off 2022 with SoCal's Premier Boutique Bridal Show at The Hills Hotel, Laguna Hills on Sunday, January 30th.
For more information, please click below
​

Choice, choices, choices! Wedding Accessories have come a long way in the past 20 years. From one or two guest book options to an infinite number of choices, sites like Etsy have brought forth the best selection of wedding accessories, gifts and decorations. Now a bride and groom can find items that reflect their style, their budget and their theme. There are even accessories for pets like "Best Dog" so that your best pet can be included on your special day.

To Our Friends and Colleagues,
We hope this email finds you safe and healthy amidst our current conditions. This is a situation unparalleled in our lifetimes, and we wish nothing but strength and endurance to all of you in these trying times.
As a small business, we at Premier Bridal Shows know how badly the current situation has affected the wedding and event industries, particularly independent businesses. Being a part of the SoCal wedding industry since 1997, our hearts go out to all of you, whether our good friends or entrepreneurs we’re still waiting to get acquainted with. We care about every one of you and your businesses, and our goal is to do everything we can to help and support one another.
There are brides and grooms out there whose wedding plans have been derailed and postponed, preventing them from being able to experience their special day. We would like to put our community of wedding professionals in contact with them through Facebook Live Stream videos to give them a point of contact and a positive vision of what’s to come. Not only will this allow them to be optimistic about their futures, but it would also allow all of you to create online connections despite social distancing. Once the worst is behind us, these online connections could provide you with business opportunities and a chance to get started again.
We have created a form on our website, www.premierbridalshows.com, in which you can submit your Facebook Live Stream video information (time, subject, etc.) for FREE promotion on our website and social media. Our form will allow you to submit information on a continuous basis; all we ask of you is to submit your information 24 hours before your Live Stream starts.
We encourage all of you to use this opportunity for free advertising, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (714) 572-1363 or email us back.
Stay safe,

Premier Bridal Shows

Here’s what the Premier Bridal Shows’ Bridecon Wedding Expo is all about!  See footage and highlights of Bridecon Wedding Expo’s displays, bridal fashion show, and wedding planning as it takes place in the Grand Ballroom of the Anaheim Convention Center.
 
Video by KMC Studios  https://www.kmcstudiosprod.com/  and features brides shopping, grooms shopping, fashion, wedding photography, wedding cake, wedding planners, wedding flowers, wedding day beauty, wedding djs/entertainment, live saxophone and live electric harp. Grand prizes included honeymoon getaways, gift cards from Kleinfeld Bridal Party and David’s Bridal as well as jewelry and services. The perfect wedding planning experience.

Check out Reyes Productions Green Screen Photobooth in action at Premier Bridal Shows Bridecon Wedding Expo on October 6th at the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona to experience the magic of their green screen photobooth!

What makes Reyes Productions Green Screen Photobooth unique and definitely worth considering for flair and fun on your wedding day!
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~ LIVE photographer and a LIVE designer: business owners, not employees

~ Professional Equipment: Canon DSLR/Green Screen Software/Studio Lighting

~ All guests receive light airbrushing to wipe away skin defects and light wrinkles!

~ Open air backdrop allows groups up to 12 people!

​~ 4x6 prints from a professional photo printer

~ Our 12x12 guest scrapbook station is extremely popular! No little flip book here!

~ Customized event label printed on all photos

~ Our premium box of props takes up an entire 6 foot table plus a full hat rack!

~ We will bring 15-20 backgrounds for your guests to choose from, & you can customize up to 5.

~ $50 deposit makes it easy to reserve your date!

Wedding expos, otherwise known as bridal fairs, are one of the best way for couples to meet and vet a number of different vendors in a setting that's fun, interactive, and bustling with activity. Depending on the expo you're attending, regional or national vendors will gather in one designated spot to discuss wedding packages with prospective brides and grooms. There, you'll see examples of their work and may even get to watch live demos as well as sample wedding food, cakes, and cocktails. If you're on the fence about attending one, we highly suggest it. Here, we dive into all the ways these fairs can be helpful for couples looking to get off the Internet and do in-person research.

The research is done for you.
You can rest assured that the vendors at these shows have been pre-vetted and vouched for by the expo organizer. Claudia Hanlin, who's planned bridal expos for over a decade, says that these events are one of the best time investments couples make while planning a wedding. She estimates that most of these fairs cost around $75 for a ticket and take a few hours to get through. In the process, couples can meet a variety of different vendors and venue representatives that fit a wide range of budgets, personalities, and styles.

 You'll meet a lot of vendors.
Hanlin says the biggest calling card for attending a show is usually that there aren't any other occasions when you'd have all vendors from every category under one roof. This is a chance to see professionals in a less controlled environment than their studio, and you're able to see the dedication and effort they put into every detail of an event.

 You'll be able to put a face to the name.
Internet and social media research may give you an idea of who you'd like to work with, but matching a personality and a team to that business is a big piece of the puzzle. Hanlin says that not only will you be able to meet the owner of a business at an expo, but you'll also get to see their team in action.

 You might be able to try samples or see samples of vendors' work.
Caterers may be passing hors d'oeuvres, bakers might have cake you can sample, a photographer may have a photobooth setup, and a florist might have a centerpiece or bouquet mockup. Hanlin says, "Usually, when you're meeting with a florist, you don't really see their work live until you do your table sample, if you have that luxury, but at an expo you actually see a table they've designed or at least a centerpiece." The same goes for many other vendors, all of which tend to bring their most exciting setup to display their skills. Most expos also bring in live music acts that you can hire for your wedding, and since a lot of bands and musicians don't have showcases regularly, this can be a great opportunity to see them perform in front of a crowd.

You can often find unexpected vendors.
Hanlin says there are two categories of wedding professionals that you'll meet at an expo that you would otherwise have more trouble finding through research alone: unusual and brand-new vendors. "You might find somebody who encapsulates rose petals in ice cubes," she says, and while that may not be something you thought to seek out for your wedding, it could add a really great design element to your bar. You might also meet florists, photographers, planners, or bakers who are new to the industry and want to get their name out there. An expo offers a great opportunity to discover these newer professionals and see what they do in person.

Speakers often have helpful tips for couples.
If the expo you're attending has speakers, Hanlin says this adds great value to the event. A lot of the industry's top planners or photographers will give presentations that cover many different topics, offering tips and insider info you might not otherwise have access to.

Spending and the Number of Wedding-Related Events Soar, According to Brides American Wedding Study 2018. The Average Cost of Weddings Is at an All-Time High of $44,105, As Personalization Continues to Rise and Couples Extend Celebrations With Emerging Event Trends Like the Wedding-Moon and an Increase in After-Parties
 
NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Brides, Condé Nast's iconic wedding brand and the authority on all things bridal, released findings from the 2018 American Wedding Study. The American Wedding Study is an annual survey of engaged and newlywed couples across the country, conducted by Brides, that reveals key insights into the latest wedding trends, behaviors, and spending habits for weddings in America.
"In 2018, spending is way up across categories, proving that while couples are doing things their own way, they are still prioritizing celebrating their marriage," said Lisa Gooder, executive director, Brides. "More than ever, couples are savoring the whole process, from engagement to honeymoon and beyond, by celebrating with more events, trips, and professional photos or videos to capture the moments."
The average cost of a wedding is $44,105, an all-time high, and couples invested in expanding the celebration more than ever. Also in 2018, 9 percent of couples took a wedding-moon (pre-wedding trip) together; 31 percent of couples had multiday-event wedding weekends (up from 20 percent in 2017); 39 percent of couples had a post-reception after-party (up from 20 percent in 2017); and 14 percent of brides wore a second look for their after-party (up from 7 percent in 2017).
KEY COSTS

• Average cost of a wedding: $44,105
• Average cost of reception: $9,764
• Catering: $12,242
• Rentals: $2,920
• Dress: $2,260
• Veil: $316
• Day-of-wedding beauty for bride and bridal party: $944
• Groom's attire: $602
• Wedding planner fees: $2,481
• Cake: $547
• Flowers: $2,629
• Other decor $1,183
• Wedding day transportation: $1,275
• Reception music: $2,380
• Photography: $3,133
• Videography: $2,180
• Ceremony: $651
• Favors: $422
• Rehearsal dinner: $2,775
• Post-wedding brunch: $1,503
• After-party: $1,325
• Engagement ring(s): $7,829
• Wedding ring(s): $1,890
• Invitations, announcements, thank-you cards, etc.: $917
• Gifts to parents: $386
• Gifts to bridesmaids: $419

KEY FINDINGS

• Average age of bride: 28
• Average age of partner: 29
• Average number of bridal attendants: 5.4
• Average number of groomsmen: 5.3
• September and October are the most popular months to get married. (32%)
• The majority of couples get married on Saturday (68%), followed by Friday (16%), and Sunday (9%).
• Average number of guests: 167
• 84% live together before getting married; 72% prior to engagement
• 8% already have children, 2% have them together.
• And 17% of brides will wear something nontraditional (jumpsuit/colored dress, separates, etc.)
  • 83% of brides opted for a white/off-white wedding dress (down from 92% in 2017)
• 14% of brides purchase a different dress/outfit for their after-party (up from 7% in 2017).
• 17% of couples have a destination wedding.
• 9% of couples took a wedding-moon (pre-wedding trip) in 2018, up from 7%.
• 4% of brides purchased their wedding attire at a ready-to-wear/specialty store (vs. 2% in 2017).
• 3% of couples took a buddy-moon. (a group post-wedding trip with friends and/or family)
• 97% of brides say their fiancé is involved in planning the wedding, and of those, 36% are very involved.
• Although 92% set a budget (vs. 90% in 2017), 45% of those who do spend more than they planned (vs. 34% in 2017).
• 87% of couples went on a honeymoon/mini-moon, up from 77% in 2017.
• More couples are taking engagement photos than ever, up to 80% from 66% in 2017.
• More couples are having a post-wedding brunch; 41% vs. 31% in 2017.
• Engagement parties are on the rise, with 38% of couples saying they had one, up from 32% in 2017.
• 28% of couples got engaged on a holiday or special occasion, up from 12% in 2017.
  • December has the most engagements at 14%.
• Wedding weekends (multiday events) are growing in popularity; with 31% of couples stating they had one, up from 20% in 2017.
• The post-reception after-party is up to 39% from 20% in 2017.
• 83% of couples began sharing expenses (i.e. rent/mortgage, utilities).

Making it their own:

• I and/or my partner did/will…
  • Write our own vows: 49% (up from 42% in 2017)
  • Incorporate favorite food or drink: 48%
  • Incorporate DIY or homemade decorations: 46%
  • Incorporate signature cocktails: 41%
  • Incorporate a nontraditional wedding cake: 38%
  • Incorporate entertainment/performers: 30%
  • Incorporating ethnic/cultural family traditions (e.g,. jumping the broom, Chinese tea ceremony, etc.): 28%
  • Choreographed first dance: 12%

Traditions are selected a la carte:

• 76% took/plan to take their fiancés name when they get married (down from 82% in 2017).
• 76% wear a veil.
• First dance: 93%
• Toasts: 88%
• Cut the cake: 82%
• Wear something old, new, borrowed, blue: 82%
• Not see the partner until the ceremony: 49% (down from 61% in 2017)
• Throw the bridal bouquet at the reception: 46% (down from 63% in 2017)
• Traditional wedding vows: 44% (down from 50% in 2017)
• Throwing of the garter: 32% (down from 50% in 2017)
• Groom's cake: 14%
• Only 49% of couples had a ring bearer, down from 57% in 2017.
• 15% chose to have a man of honor.
• 11% incorporate their pets into their wedding party (up from 8% in 2017).
• 6% have a best woman.
• 88% of brides have a maid/matron of honor, and 85% of bridesmaids have bridesmaids.
• 84% of grooms have a best man.

Ceremony/Reception:

• 28% of couples opt to marry in an event space/hall/banquet facility.
• The number of couples that are married in a house of worship is down, at 23% (vs. 27% in 2017).
• 10% of couples choose to marry in a resort/hotel or bed & breakfast.
• 6% of couples marry in a historical building.
• 5% marry in a country club or golf course.
• 45% have a pastor, rabbi, or other religious official perform the ceremony.
• 36% have friends/family get ordained to officiate the ceremony.
• 15% have a nondenominational officiant.

SOCIAL MEDIA

• 23% met their partner on social media, through a dating app, or an online dating site.
• 82% report using social media to find inspiration/their wedding style.
  • 87% of brides report using Pinterest as an inspiration source for their wedding.
  • 76% of brides report using Instagram as an inspiration source for their wedding.
  • 20% of brides report using Facebook as an inspiration source for their wedding.
• 70% use social media to find and follow vendors.
• 60% follow wedding brands/products they've already purchased/booked.
• 57% search social media by hashtag to view photos of other weddings (up from 37% in 2017).
• 48% use social to purchase items for the wedding (bridesmaids dresses, invitations, beauty products, etc.).
• 46% post photos/updates/stories throughout the planning process (up from 40% in 2017).
• 54% of brides say most of their friends learned of their engagement through social media (up from 54% in 2017).
• 70% create a custom hashtag for guests to use at the wedding (vs. 51% in 2017).
• 48% create a custom hashtag for their wedding-related events (i.e. bachelorette party) vs. 36% in 2017.
• 35% create a custom Snapchat geofilter for their wedding (vs. 17% in 2017).
• 9% ask guests not to post photos of their wedding on social media.

WEDDING TECH

• 94% of couples incorporate technology into their wedding planning in some way.
• 80% create a wedding website for guests.
• 67% use a wedding planning app (i.e. checklists, budget trackers).
• 53% allow guests to RSVP to wedding and/or wedding-related events via email or wedding site.
• 27% send digital invites to wedding-related events (i.e. shower, bachelorette, engagement party, etc.).
• 26% use high-tech devices for photographing their wedding (i.e. drones, GIF photo booths, GoPros, etc.).
• 10% send digital invites as save-the-dates.
• 7% have a live feed of wedding hashtag displayed at the reception (i.e. Instagram photos, tweets, etc.).
• 6% send digital invites to wedding ceremony or reception.
• 5% live-stream their ceremony for out-of-town guests.
• 4% offer charging stations for guests at their wedding.

WEDDING FASHION

• 83% of brides will wear a white/off-white wedding dress (down from 92% in 2017).
• 17% of brides will wear something non-traditional (jumpsuit/colored dress, separates, etc.).
• 76% wear a veil.
• Top purchase locations for wedding-day attire:
  • 66% of brides purchased their wedding-day attire at a bridal salon.
  • 17% purchased their wedding-day attire at a independent local bridal salon.
  • 8% purchased their wedding-day attire at a national bridal chain.
  • 2% purchased their wedding-day attire at a department store.
  • 4% of brides purchased their wedding-day attire at a ready-to-wear/specialty store (vs. 2% in 2017).
  • 2% purchased their wedding-day attire at a sample sale.
  • 1% purchased their wedding-day attire at Etsy/or had it custom made.
  • 3% had it made by a dressmaker, relative, or self.
  • 1% purchased online directly from a website/e-retailer.
• On average, brides are spending the following on wedding fashion:
  • Dress: $2,260
  • Headpiece/veil: $316
  • Wedding-day jewelry: $316
  • Wedding-day accessories: $288
  • Day-of-wedding beauty: $944
  • Mother-of-the-bride dress: $362
• Groom's suit and accessories: $602
  • 53% of grooms wore a suit.
  • 43% wore a tuxedo.
  • 3% wore other
    • 57% bought formalwear.
    • 38% rented from a formalwear specialist.
    • 3% wore other.
• Bridesmaids:
  • 48% of brides choose the color and let bridesmaids choose the style/designer.
  • 30% have all bridesmaids match in color/style.
  • 70% of brides are having mismatched bridesmaids (in style or color, or variety, etc.)
  • 7% choose the style/designer and let the bridesmaids choose the color.
  • 2% let them wear whatever they choose.
  • 12% are not sure yet or chose other (i.e. a color family, option to select between a couple different looks, etc.).

SOURCE Brides

You're invited to attend the biggest WEDDING EXPOS of the year featuring the best selection of local wedding ideas and services!
More ideas, More exhibits, More fashion,
More prizes, More planning!
Sunday, JUNE 23, 2019
LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER

Sunday, JUNE 30, 2019
ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER

Shop and Compare top quality wedding services
Take advantage of show discounts, samples & giveaways
$$$ in Giveways including Honeymoon Getaways,
Wedding Services, Fashion and More!

SPEND THE DAY EXPLORING THE BEST OPTIONS TO MAKE YOUR
DREAM WEDDING COME TRUE!

VIP TICKETS, BRIDE SURPRISE BOX & MORE!

Tickets are $10 at the door.  Check out VIP Tickets, Bride Surprise Box and more at www.premierbridalshows.com​

By Alix Strauss
March 27, 2019
Charlyn Buchanan, a 32-year-old software engineer from Jersey City, stood with a flute of champagne in one hand, and in the other, her Bridelux’s itinerary that detailed upcoming speakers and showcased vendors.
This was Ms. Buchanan’s first wedding expo since becoming engaged last August. Her wedding is set to take place at the end of the year, and so she was attending the expo “to gather ideas and create my own intangible vision board and see what’s out there,” she said.
She was gifted the $150 entrance ticket, an unheard-of fee for an expo, which typically costs a nominal $10 to $15.
In mid-January, Bridelux Atelier, a high-end bridal expo that started in London four years ago, came to the United States for the first time to showcase at the InterContinental hotel, on East 48th Street in Manhattan.
Promising the cognoscente of the wedding industry while capitalizing on royal wedding fever, Bridelux brought speakers like the florist Philippa Craddock, who was involved in the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Among the other vendors: Claire Ptak of Violet Cakes; the celebrity event planner Bryan Rafanelli; the stationers Ceci New York; and the veil maker Monvieve Milano.
Wedding expos can be found in many cities around the country. They’re often held in chain hotels like the Marriott Marquis and Grand Hyatt, as well as event and convention spaces like Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Some rotate locales, others remain in the same space month after month. Wedding Salon hosts nine shows a year, setting up in Miami, Washington, Chicago and New York. The Long Island Bridal Expo does 36. Some expos are intimate, highlighting three dozen or so vendors for 150 attendees; others showcase 100 or more businesses to crowds of 600-plus.
In an Instagram world, where entire weddings are booked and created completely from sources found online — yes Zola and Etsy, we know — many people may wonder how and why expos still exist. The answer is simple: They offer brides and grooms in-person contacts, not to mention prizes and swag bags stuffed with wedding items and discounts.
“You’re meeting experts face to face but also are seeing their work, which can be overwhelming on the internet or misleading on someone’s website,” said Tatiana Byron Marx, who founded Wedding Salon 15 years ago. “Brides want to work with people they like. You’re hiring 15 to 40 vendors, each with their own contract. Meeting everyone at their studio is time-consuming.”
Like most expos, Wedding Salon offers photographers, videographers, cake makers, florists, D.J.’s, wedding gown designers, and specialists for hair and makeup, among others.
Tony Drago, who has run the Long Island Bridal Expo for 28 years, says he tries to showcase local professionals. “Brides can walk around and have true conversations without being harassed,” he said, “and there’s not 200 or 300 vendors so they don’t become numb and forget who they spoke to.”
Like others, Mr. Drago makes available transportation options like limousines, buses and trolleys, along with bridal consultants, florists, stationers, table designers and party favor creators.
 
Many expos also try to create experiences through live D.J.’s and band performances, fashion shows, even spray tanners and makeup artists. Couples can envision their first dance or a cocktail hour with sample drinks and canapés. Travel representatives from dreamy destinations are also on hand, some providing giveaways, prizes and discounts.
Ms. Marx’s expos tends to skew to a more serious and higher-end consumer, with a $50 entrance fee. She says her shows now include plastic surgeons and teeth-whitening companies. “Expos are not about traditional categories anymore,” she said.
During a four-hour slot, Ms. Marx can draw 800 to 1,000 people at a New York show. “These are inspirational, girls’ night out — bring your girlfriend or matron of honor and have fun,” she said.
Mickael Georges, a 35-year-old-social worker from Queens, went to Bridelux with his fiancée, Alexandra Colas, 33, a nurse, for the experience. “I’ve never been to anything like this, but I wanted to get a visual of what she likes,” he said. “How can you know what something costs, and pay that much for something when you’re not sure what’s out there? This lets you see everything.”
Industry professionals also attend. Julie Lindenman, 32, an event planner in Manhattan who is getting married in June, was spotted taking a lap at Bridelux.
“I came to see what everyone is doing, to support my friends in the industry, but also to explore new things for my own wedding,” Ms. Lindenman said. She especially enjoyed meeting the fashion designer Reem Acra. “She inspires me in the wedding world. To meet her and see her collection in person was amazing.”
 
“National vendors like Williams-Sonoma, Macy’s, Pottery Barn and Sandals, who are interested in meeting couples in every market, follow us for the entire trip,” he said. “Others, like a local wedding cake company in Dallas will only go to that stop and not Houston because they don’t ship cakes there.”
Over the years, he’s seen an increased sophistication among brides and grooms. “The idea of the personal marketplace has always been of interest to the consumer,” he said. “The difference is that couples used to be 19 or 20, now they’re getting married at 30. They have careers. And because they’re paying for the wedding, as opposed to having their parents do it, the groom is more involved.”
Expos seem great for the would-be wedded, but vendors can pay a chunk of change to be seen. Fees typically start at around $500 and can easily exceed $1,000. Ms. Marx said 50 to 60 percent of her vendors get work. “The match happens at the show, but the transaction happens after the connections and intros are made,” she said.
Mr. Rafanelli, a Manhattan-based event planner featured at Bridelux, got a new client within an hour after the expo started. His fees vary, though he says his clients’ budgets typically range from $350,000 to $500,000 for the total cost of a wedding for 200 guests.
“Weddings are a fairy-tale fantasy — people aren’t letting that go,” Mr. Rafanelli said. “That’s why they’re here. It boosts their confidence because they crave the ‘how can I do that’ information and visuals they learn at these events. It becomes obtainable, especially when you see everything all at once in one place. You’re drenched in it.”
 
And it was true. By 4:30 p.m., the Bridelux ice sculpture had melted.
 
And the model wearing a Reem Acra wedding dress was seated and taking a much-needed pause. What was left of the sushi looked a little sad. The crowd had thinned out considerably. One of the performers from the list of rotating bands was singing Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason To Stay Here.”
 
“This was exactly what I needed,” said Ms. Buchanan, the Jersey City software engineer, who at the end of the expo had switched from champagne to a gin and tonic. “Now I’m looking at wedding planning with a completely different attitude. I come from humble beginnings and I’ve always been a minimalist. I don’t have to bring that approach to my wedding. I’m only going to have one. I deserve this. I worked really hard, we worked hard together, and I got to see all of that today.”