XP... Going to a bridal expo... What should I expect?

mandctaft · January 2012

I don't even know what normally is there? Any ideas?

Grits8812 · January 2012

I was always under the impression that it is a bunch of vendors with their information, services, etc. You can enter some drawings for say a free limo the day of your wedding, or a certain percent off of a wedding gown (if you buy from a certain store), etc. That is just what I collected from when my cousin was talking about the one she went to here.

jennipea382 · January 2012

I went to one in Sep and it was pretty cool. It was a bunch of booths with all sorts of vendors. I mostly just went around and picked up information to look over. I looked through some things like photo albums and such and talked to a few of the vendors. Beware though, some might be annoying! Most we liked, but one guy would NOT stop talking!

I also signed up for pretty much every drawing because who doesn't like free stuff? I probably got a few emails or things in the mail from it but that's it. I did win a few things though that I'm still not sure about. I won money off for two different photographers (still trying to decide if they're in our budget even after the discount), and from one vendor we won an apron, toasting flutes and a cruise to the Bahamas. The only "catch" is that we go to their warehouse for a little presentation thing and there is no obligation to buy anything. I've talked to another friend that won the same thing so I know it's legit! So even though you think you might not win anything, you could!

bruna29 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_xp-going-bridal-expo-should-expect?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:3a981a19-adfc-465f-8690-1a95eb3950f1Post:7caf8fb7-077c-41e2-b5ae-59b9508241fe">Re: XP... Going to a bridal expo... What should I expect?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Don't give them the email account you usually use. Make up a new one just for that.</strong> Jenni, be really careful about that "prize" you won. It's a common scam and comes along with exorbitant "taxes" and "fees". Don't sign anything.
Posted by 1covejack[/QUOTE]
Yes! I agree! I've heard from other brides who have went to bridal expos who say they get so much junk email and even phone calls (some forms ask for your phone number) since they entered to win free things. So be careful, and don't put your number down if you don't have to.

mandctaft · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_xp-going-bridal-expo-should-expect?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:3a981a19-adfc-465f-8690-1a95eb3950f1Post:7caf8fb7-077c-41e2-b5ae-59b9508241fe">Re: XP... Going to a bridal expo... What should I expect?</a>:
[QUOTE]Don't give them the email account you usually use. Make up a new one just for that. Jenni, be really careful about that "prize" you won. It's a common scam and comes along with exorbitant "taxes" and "fees". Don't sign anything.
Posted by 1covejack[/QUOTE]

I have an email that I only use for wedding stuff so that will be great .

Thanks everyone for your help. i just didn't want to walk in there with no clue what to expect!

jennipea382 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_xp-going-bridal-expo-should-expect?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:3a981a19-adfc-465f-8690-1a95eb3950f1Post:7caf8fb7-077c-41e2-b5ae-59b9508241fe">Re: XP... Going to a bridal expo... What should I expect?</a>:
[QUOTE]Don't give them the email account you usually use. Make up a new one just for that. Jenni, be really careful about that "prize" you won. It's a common scam and comes along with exorbitant "taxes" and "fees". Don't sign anything.
Posted by 1covejack[/QUOTE]

Oh I know. I've talked to them about the details. I know I have to pay taxes (as you do on any prize like that). I know what they pay for and what they don't. But considering a friend (that I trust) won the same cruise and already went on it, I trust it's not a scam. I have more common sense than that :-)

RaptorSLH · January 2012

Lots of vendors, with lots of information. Ditto on the e-mail address - there's an opportunity to enter a contest or get on a mailing list at virtually every vendor.

Don't try to make decisions on the fly - there's too many vendors, too many other people, and too much information. It's overwhelming. Take as much information as you can (bring a bag or purse, JIC they don't provide one.) Then sit down and organize it at home within a day or so, when you can relax and process information, and the memories are still fresh.

prettyfacegal · January 2012

I would take a bag to collect business cards and other information provide. But be careful vendors will promise you things that they cannot actually provide. Always ask if they have a list of previous jobs that they have done so that you can call them yourself to see what was the previous customers impression.

timsflower81 · January 2012

I went to a bridal show today.... They gave you a bag with info when you registered and you carried it around to the other vendors and you put the stuff they gave you in the bag. It was convenient. Lots of giveaways and most asked for a phone number. We booked our limo today at the event - they gave like a 50% show discount. I was psyched. We also got coupons for men's warehouse since we're buying FI's suit instead of renting a tux.

Edit: My main objective at the show was meet with limo people, see groom's clothing and look for wedding hair/makeup artists. Only 2 tux places, 2 limo places and ZERO salons or mua's. I was really disappointed.

kimberlyr22 · January 2012

If you went to the one in York, PA today, I can tell you it was the lamest Bridal Expo ever!! It looks like half the vendors didn't show up. I've been to two others around the area and there was a lot more interaction. The vendors were very talkative and helpful, and the giveaways weren't just ways to get people on their marketing list.

I noticed several vendors, who I've seen at expos before, didn't have their owners with them - more college kid marketers. I know there were a bunch of Bridal Shows today around the area (Harrisburg and Gettysburg), but for a seven hour expo, there was literally only about 45 minutes worth of vendors to see and get info from. Very disappointing.

If this was your first Expo, don't judge them from this experience, most are better and full of better information.

XP... Going to a bridal expo... What should I expect?

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