My First Wedding Show and What I Learned

Last month, I participated in my very first wedding show as a vendor at Wisteria Gardens in Anacortes, Washington, hosted by Mastered Moments by Maliah. Wedding shows are a chance for couples to meet local wedding vendors (wedding photographer, florists, DJs, HMUA, planners, live painters, etc), get inspired, and start shaping their big day. For me, it was an opportunity to connect with engaged couples, showcase my work, and introduce myself to more of the local wedding community.

The yellow gingham tablecloth is my favorite element of my vendor table setup!

Stepping Into the Wedding Show Scene

Walking into the venue that morning, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. I had spent weeks preparing: designing a new logo, brochures, business cards, and even special holographic stickers. Who doesn’t love a little sparkle? My website also got a refresh, so in many ways, this show coincided with a mini rebrand. Seeing everything come together at my booth made me feel really proud. Not only was this my first time as a wedding show vendor, but it was also the first time the organizers hosted the event. With any first-time event, no one really knew what to expect attendance-wise. The show ended up being smaller than I anticipated, with fewer couples walking through. But as the day went on, I realized that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. A slower-paced event gave me time to have more in-depth conversations with couples, especially those who were just starting their wedding planning journey. It was really fun to hear about their dream wedding visions, even if I had the feeling that most of them wouldn’t end up booking with me.

The Unexpected Perks of a Smaller Show

One of my biggest takeaways? Wedding shows aren’t just about booking couples on the spot. While that would have been amazing, I walked away with something just as valuable—new connections with fellow vendors. Some were familiar faces, while others were new, but spending time with them and chatting about the industry was one of the best parts of the day. Building these vendor relationships is such an important part of the wedding industry, and I know these connections could lead to future referrals or collaborations. Another lesson learned: I need to be better about collecting emails. I sent follow-up emails to the couples I spoke with, but out of five, only one responded (and I have a feeling they will go with another photographer which is totally okay). Next time, I’ll have a better strategy for capturing contact information.

Looking Ahead

I also have a feeling that this particular show will grow and improve in the future. It was the first year the organizers hosted it, and I imagine that with time, it will become bigger and even more beneficial for vendors and couples alike.

Would I do this show again? Maybe! But even if I don’t, I’m walking away with a renewed excitement for wedding season, a stronger vendor network, and some valuable lessons for my next wedding show.

If you’re a wedding photographer considering participating in a wedding show, my advice would be:

✨ Go in with an open mind – even if the turnout isn’t huge, there’s still a lot to gain.

💍 Prioritize vendor relationships – referrals and collaborations can be just as valuable as client bookings.

💛 Have a plan for collecting emails – a simple sign-up sheet or giveaway can help keep those connections going. I had a digital sign-up sheet on my iPad, but always forgot to ask people to fill it out and I think people didn’t feel comfortable just picking up the iPad by themselves.

Have you ever been to a wedding show (as a wedding photographer, other vendor, or as a couple)? I’d love to hear about your experience! Let me know in the comments.

Love,
Lillian Jean

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