Wedding Details on Display in Chantilly

There are two questions that every vendor at the Bridal Showcase asks: Have you set a date? Where is your venue? If you don’t know one or the other or both, you are less important than everyone else. 

I got engaged just eight weeks ago, so I don’t really have either. I have a tentative date set for October 2012 and a tentative idea of a venue, but the only definite is that it will be in Virginia. I went to the Expo Center’s Showcase Sunday with a soon-to-be-engaged friend on a reconnaissance mission.

Since I’m the most excited about traveling for the honeymoon, the most wary of photography and can look at (or sample) decorative cake all day long, that’s where I planned to focus my energy.

I donned my red, heart-shaped “Bride To Be” badge, and we hit the booths. There was everything I expected: venue options, cakes, dresses, invitations, make-up artists, dance companies – and several things I didn’t – weight loss programs, chiropractors, real estate agents, tattoo removal and financial advice for the married life.

A word of advice for attendees and another for vendors: Attendees, first things first: go to a booth that gives away bags! After 20 minutes, I was weighted down and couldn’t flip through any more sample photo albums or sign up for any more free honeymoon giveaways. Vendors, give away bags. People will visit your booth just for that and then you can talk up your product.

On the second to last row, I found my cake. Edibles Incredible Desserts had quite a crowd around their booth, and I was delighted to find that they were handing out samples. The owner came around to talk to us and explained how they had been voted the #1 Bakery in Northern Virginia, etc., etc. Then I took a bite of my cake with a cherry filling and almond icing, and an involuntary, “Oh my God!” came out of my mouth. The owner wasn’t exaggerating at all. Best. Cake. Ever. He gave me an I-told-you-so smile and said, “I know. We hear that all the time."

I didn’t have as much luck with the photography. There were tons of photographers there and all of their work was stunning. If anything, I’m more confused and overwhelmed than when I started. But at least I got a good idea of the price ranges: expensive.

There were some great travel deals going on, and the agents were excited to hear that we were thinking about Mexico for the honeymoon. “Oh, I’ve been there twice this year!” one agent exclaimed, telling me about certain restaurants and beaches I should visit. It looks like I’ll be going with Cruises, Inc. for my travel, since I won their random drawing! Each bride gets a page of tickets with a number on it, and most booths provide a box where you can drop your number for a chance to win their giveaway.

So, whether your wedding is in two months or twenty, whether you’ve already decided the details or barely decided on a date, a bridal expo is a great way to get some ideas, snag some great deals or win that little extra something to make your big day even better.