Preparing for A Bridal Show | A Wedding Photographer’s First Experience
Bridal shows have always intimidated me. Last year, Taylor Rhyne of Lemon and Willows Event Management asked if I would like to participate in a bridal show she was planning. Taylor was the wedding coordinator for one of the weddings I photographed the previous year, and even though I had never met her in person (she had to send her associate the day of that wedding due to an awful stomach bug), I knew we were kindred spirits based on what I had seen her post on social media. However, even though I had been in the wedding photography business for almost twelve years, I had never participated in a bridal show before. Because I still teach middle school full-time, I have all the business I can handle from client referrals and haven’t needed to market myself. But, after lots of debating about whether it would be worth the investment and if I was ready, I took a leap and sent in my application. I am always seeking ways to learn and grow as a photographer and business owner, so I needed to do something to stretch myself.
Top: My very first bridal show booth at the Southern Charm Bridal Show in February of 2024.
Bottom: My “revised” booth in February of 2025!
As soon as I paid the application fee, I started to panic—I didn’t even know what I needed to set up a booth! I did some online searches and looked at some ideas on Pinterest, and I ended up ordering a couple of freestanding wire display racks from Amazon to display photos, canvases and prints to show off my work, custom flyers and banners from Vistaprint, and just for fun, some chapsticks with my logo to give out as freebies (also from Vistaprint). I also reached out to a Sola wood flower florist, The Paisley Moon, who several of my brides had used before, and she designed me a beautiful bouquet based on the colors in my logo! But then…tables! I had one 4 foot table, so I ordered a stretchy tablecloth to go on it. I had a laptop stand that I used during Corona School 2.0, and I ordered a little tablecloth for that, thinking that would be a good display for a slideshow. And I already had a backdrop stand and cloth, so I decided to bring that. All in all, I spent a little over $500…but I kept telling myself, even if I book just one wedding, it will be worth it.
The Southern Charm Bridal Show was hosted at the lovely Southern Charm Event Venue in Rock Hill, SC, and I had never been there until the morning of the show. When I arrived, imposter syndrome/panic set in immediately—all the vendors had such professional booths with tables, branded decor, table settings, florals, brochures… I was overwhelmed. I put up my little table (which was way too small) and decorated it with my photos and flowers, but I was so nervous that it didn’t look as professional as everyone else’s. (And I was so flustered I didn’t even put the tablecloth on correctly, oops—see photo to the right!) After a quick team meeting, we all went back to our booths and waited for the doors to open. And then I started chatting with the vendors around me. There was a sweet florist who had just gotten back into weddings after a bout with cancer. There was a pizza food truck owner who I learned was getting ready to open a brick-and-mortar business in my hometown. There was a pet chauffeur whose primary job was to wrangle pets for people on their wedding days (what a cool idea!). There was an alcohol-free bartending service that had some of the coolest mocktail creations. Everyone was so friendly! Many vendors came by and complimented my work, and my heartbeat started to slow. For the next three hours, I got to chat with brides, grooms, moms, friends, and so many wonderful business owners with a common mindset—serving our clients to the best of our abilities. Ultimately, because of my participation in that show, I ended up booking three weddings! It was totally worth it, and the connections I made with other vendors was the icing on the cake.
This year when Taylor announced the 3rd Annual Southern Charm Bridal Show, I applied immediately! I wanted to do this again with some of the experience I had gained last year. I added another table and a “look book” for potential clients to flip through. (And I put the tablecloths on properly this year, ha!) Because I used everything I had invested in last year, this year’s investment wasn’t nearly as expensive. I realized I could even use the same photos and canvases, because this would be a whole new group of potential clients! And this year, I didn’t have any nerves. I knew what to expect, I knew the vendors that Taylor involves in her planning are top notch and the kindest people, and overall, I felt like I actually belonged. And again, it was such a wonderful experience—I got to meet two brides in person who had already booked with me and made several other contacts with potential clients, and I met and made connections with even more area wedding vendors! I don’t know where you are located, but the wedding vendors in this community (York County, SC and Charlotte, NC) are just wonderful. I am so grateful to be a part of it!
Taylor Rhyne (2nd from right) and the Lemons and Willow Event Management Team!
If you are a wedding photographer wondering whether or not you should invest in bridal shows, my advice is to just go for it! Maybe don’t start out by jumping into a huge, regional show, but there are bound to be local venues or coordinators who host smaller shows, and that is a perfect way to start. You don’t have to spend a ton of money—and your booth doesn’t have to have a lot on display! A “look book” is the best thing to show off your work, and maybe a laptop with a slideshow. The most important thing is to be YOU—share your passion, experience, and how you approach a wedding day. Be prepared to be on your feet most of the day—wear comfortable shoes! Bring snacks to keep up your energy! During down times visit with other vendors—those connections can often be the biggest perk of participating in bridal shows! You might meet your next referral source, or better yet, make a new friend.
And if you are a bride or groom, you should totally attend a bridal show (or two or three!). They’re usually free, you can get so many ideas for your own wedding, and there are a ton of freebies! There’s no pressure to spend any money, but you can get a good idea of the costs of planning a wedding. And if you live in the York Co., SC/Charlotte, NC area and need a wedding planner, you should totally check out Lemon and Willows Event Management! Taylor and her team are amazing and has connections with the best vendors in the area! And of course, if you need a wedding photographer, I’d love to chat! Click here to inquire!
Check out the beautiful branded bouquet that The Paisley Moon created for me! I added a “look book” to my table this year, and I kept the fun chapsticks—everyone needs a tube of chapstick!
Taylor of Lemons and Willow Events actually hosts an amazing wedding planning podcast, and she asked me to be one of her guests on Episode 44, “Avoidng Viral Wedding Photography Mistakes!” We talked about some of the crazy horror stories circulating the internet about wedding photographers and shared advice on how to make sure your wedding photographer is legit and prepared do document your wedding day! Take a listen on the following platforms: