A bridal show or bridal convention is usually a showcase of offerings by different vendors who might be involved in producing a wedding. One might find retailers for wedding dresses and tuxedos, caterers, wedding coordinators, travel agents, florists, wedding cake designers, and others demonstrating their usefulness to couples as they plan their weddings.

Sometimes a bridal show charges for entrance, and other times it is free. Sensational door prizes can attract even brides who have already planned their weddings. Brides who have not planned their weddings can get ideas for planning and make connections with businesses that might offer them additional discounts for attending the show.

A bridal show might also include a wedding gown and formal clothing fashion show. At some point during the convention, those attending may be invited to watch a fashion show of the latest in gowns and formal wear, thus proposing new options to the bride as to wedding dress choices, and as well choices for bridesmaids. Frequently, fashion shows also include showings of different types of formal clothing for grooms and groomsmen.

Often a bridal show is held at a convention center or fairgrounds. Attendees should plan to spend several hours there, especially if the bridal show is very large. One can get a sense of how big the bridal show is by looking at the retailers and vendors who will be present. A large number of vendors in a big location like a fairground can mean a fairly huge show.

For the prospective bride, a bridal show offers the opportunity to meet most local and sometimes non-local vendors all in one location. Attending a bridal show may mean one can consider all the things that go into a wedding in one day of shopping. Prospective brides may go with family planning the wedding or with bridesmaids, as it can offer an entertaining as well as an instructive day.

Attending brides to be should bring a clipboard or folder to take advertisement materials from different vendors. As well, bringing paper and pencils or pens can help one make notes on attractive companies. A large bridal show can be somewhat overwhelming. Thus keeping one’s information organized is useful for further wedding planning.

Often, a bridal show is held at a specific time of year, most frequently May or June. To some brides this doesn’t make sense, since many brides plan June weddings. However for the prospective bride who has a year to plan, a June bridal show can help one start all the preparations required for a wedding occurring the next year.