January 5th, 2025 officially kicks off wedding expo season in Central Illinois! All through January and February there will be several wedding planning events, wedding shows, venue open houses, and vendor shows you can attend to help plan your Central Illinois wedding. These events are super helpful in getting a lot of vendors under one roof. The Elegant Wedding Expo is the leader of these kinds of events, offering a wedding expo in all the major cities (Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, and Bloomington/Normal).
Who/what will be at the wedding expos?
- Caterers offering samples of their food menu
- Bakeries offering samples of their cake/sweets
- Florists with sample bouquets/centerpieces
- Decor companies with sample setups/inspo
- Photographers + Videographers with albums and displays showcasing their work
- Photobooth options are set up to try out and experience
- Venues to chat with and set up times to tour their space
- DJs to chat with about your dream reception
- Hair + Make up artists with photos of their work
- Wedding gown shops to chat with and set up a time to pick out your dream dress
How to prepare for a wedding expo?
- Create an email account specifically for collecting wedding information and quotes.
- Create a list of vendors that you still need to book (DJ, florist, cake, photographer, etc.)
- Research the companies you are interested in talking to/quotes from.
- Read reviews, look at photo samples, video samples, flavors of cake they offer, etc.
- Follow their social media accounts
- Look at the list of vendors on Elegant Wedding Expo’s directory list to see if any of the companies you are interested in will be at the show.
- Buy your tickets to the wedding expo.
How to maximize your experience at a wedding expo?
- Have the list of vendors/companies you are interested in talking with, in hand, along with any questions you have for them.
- Bring cash/check/debit/credit to place deposits.
- Make the rounds – talk to all the companies you want to gather quotes from. Get your questions answered.
- Find out if any of the companies are running specials if you book AT the expo.
- Be prepared to place deposits with the companies you feel like you connect with, offer everything you want, and match your price point.
- Hit up the mimosa bar, sit down and discuss your thoughts with your entourage, and head back to the booths/companies you want to book.
Many companies/vendors will offer significant discounts or free upgrades to couples that place deposits to reserve their services AT the expo, so come prepared to make decisions. If that means bringing your fiance or parents with you to discuss things…make it happen.
