What is a Bridal Expo?
Bridal expos are major wedding planning events hosted (typically) at a wedding venue or convention center. This is a chance for you to explore the venue, get wedding planning tips, and find vendors who can help make your dream wedding a reality.
You can find pretty much anything you can imagine at bridal shows! From florists to cake-tasting samples to DJs and even bridal boudoir photographers, like us. The point of a bridal expo is to help couples start wedding planning. (But I’ll be honest, it’s fun once you’re married too!)
Why should engaged couples attend Bridal Expos?
I highly recommend that engaged couples go together. There’s so much to see that you would never have thought to include in your wedding. Going together lets both of you find vendors and services that can make your wedding day unique to both of you.
Plus, it’s a great excuse to celebrate your engagement and dream about what you want your wedding day to look like!
Bridal shows are such a fun experience. Many of the vendors do giveaways and prizes. I’ve seen couples win honeymoon trips, take home a whole meal’s worth of cake samples, and even win engagement photoshoots.
How much does it cost to attend a Bridal Show?
Ticket costs vary depending on what show you’re at. Most of the bridal shows in Jacksonville and St. Augustine cost between $8 – $15 per person. You can usually get a discount if you buy your tickets in advance.
Honestly, I’ve attended expos as a bride, a photography vendor, and a bridesmaid…and ya girl made out with some serious goodies each time. It’s totally worth it to spend a fun Sunday with your fiance, friends, and family.
What are the best Bridal Shows in Jacksonville?
You’re lucky because Jacksonville has a ton of bridal shows for you to attend. You can find amazing vendors at all of them, but there are a few that are must-attends! The best Jacksonville bridal expos are at the World Golf Village and the Prime Osborn Convention Center in January, February, June, and September.
Typically these events have the most vendors in attendance (including us!), which gives you more options. Both locations are huge and beautiful! There’s plenty of room to take your time exploring each booth. This is pretty crucial because some of the smaller venues have a hard time with crowds. You don’t want to take away from your experience because you feel rushed or can’t stop and chat with a vendor who caught your eye. Trust me!
Why I love having a booth at the Expos in Jacksonville
I know, I know. You’re probably asking yourself “Angelica, you’re not a wedding photographer anymore and last I checked, you’re still head over heels for your husband Scharmy. Why do you still go to bridal expos?” Valid question!
Number one – my talented husband still is my number one! He’s an amazing wedding videographer, but that’s not why I attend.
If you don’t know, I started as a wedding photographer in Jacksonville, FL. I did my last vow renewal in 2022, but my love for wedding photography blossomed into what Pompy Portraits is today – an award-winning bridal boudoir photographer.
Most couples only know about engagement and wedding photography. I get a booth at the 4 major bridal expos in Jacksonville each year so couples can learn more about a different, more intimate wedding photography experience. I go with my team and together we get to connect with our couples face-to-face. It’s one of the few face-to-face meetings I do before a session and I look forward to it each time!
New to bridal boudoir? Check out what you can expect!
What to expect when you stop by our bridal boudoir booth
If you see me at a bridal show, you know I’m going to go big, right?! My team and I always create a comfortable, amazing booth space at bridal expos.
When you stop by our booth you will get a chance to touch and feel our heirloom album options. You can also see our metal wall art on display with photos of real clients. (Who all gave me permission to share their gorgeous photos, of course!)
One of our team members or myself will be there to explain the boudoir experience in detail. You can see what to expect, whether you choose a classic boudoir photoshoot or a bridal boudoir experience. We also do different giveaways at every expo. Stopping by gives you a chance to opt-in for special prizes and promotions.
Check out some of our favorite booth selfies below!
2024 Jacksonville Bridal Expos We’ll Be At:
Premier Wedding Expo – St. Augustine, FL
- Date: Feb 18, 2024
- Where: Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine
- Time: 1-4 pm
The Premier Wedding Expo – Jacksonville, FL
- Date: Jun 9, 2024
- Where: Prime F. Osborn Convention Center
- Time: 1-4 pm
Premier Wedding Expo – St. Augustine, FL
- Date: Sept 8, 2024
- Where: Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine
- Time: 1-4 pm
If you’re planning to come to any of the bridal shows in Jacksonville or St Augustine this year, stop by and say hi! I would love to meet you and your fiance and hear all about how they popped the question. You may even walk away with a prize.
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[…] Bridal shows are fantastic for seeing a lot of local vendors at once. But the truth is, they can be overwhelming too. They’re crowded and not everyone’s cup of tea. Smaller events like our Brides and Bubbly offer a more intimate setting to meet local wedding vendors. You’ll have the chance to chat one-on-one with Jacksonville’s top wedding vendors and other brides while sipping champagne. It’s a fun way to get insider tips and make valuable connections. These smaller events often provide a more relaxed atmosphere where you can have meaningful conversations with vendors, ask detailed questions, and really get a feel for their personalities and styles. (And you definitely want to make sure you vibe with your vendors!) Plus, the intimate setting means you’ll have more time to explore each vendor’s offerings without feeling rushed or pressured. […]