Whether you’re newly engaged or putting the final touches on your wedding plans, attending a wedding show is one of the easiest—and most fun!—ways to gather inspiration, meet trusted vendors, and make real progress towards your dream day.
With so many ideas, conversations, and experiences in one place, we recommend a little preparation before the show. Knowing what to expect helps you stay focused, ask the right questions, and leave feeling excited and confident about the next steps in your planning journey. Watch a video of our 2025 show from Food & Cake Wedding films, then keep scrolling for our checklist of everything you’ll need before the show, at the show, and beyond!
Before the Show
☐ Buy tickets in advance (and save them to your phone)
☐ Review the vendor list & the map to make a list of must-see vendors
☐ Create a wedding email address
☐ Talk through vendor priorities together:
☐ Wedding planner or coordinator
☐ Type of venue – Rough guest count!
☐ Stationery / Signage
☐ Photographer / Videographer
☐ Catering and bar service
☐ DJ or band
☐ Florals
☐ Rentals (furniture, tableware, tents)
☐ Cake or dessert
☐ Hair + makeup artists
☐ Officiant
☐ Transportation
☐ Research your ideal dates, or consider the season you would ideally like to tie the knot [☐ Spring, ☐ Summer, ☐ Fall, ☐ Winter]
What to Bring
☐ Your fiancé or partner and any other key decision-makers
☐ Comfortable shoes
☐ A fully charged phone
☐ Screenshot of your budget + notes
☐ Inspiration photos (Pinterest, saved posts, screenshots)
☐ Notebook & pen (or notes app!)
☐ Your appetite for food and dessert sampling!
At the Show
☐ Ask vendors about availability for your date
☐ Take photos of booths or displays you love (and tag @wedplanmadison)
☐ Jot quick notes about favorites
☐ Take insta-worthy photos at our photo ops
☐ Meet the vendors, get ideas, and find the right team!
☐ Grab cards or scan QR codes instead of carrying stacks of paper
☐ Pace yourself—take breaks and enjoy the experience
After the Show
☐ Review notes while everything is fresh
☐ Narrow down top vendors
☐ Follow @wedplanmadison on socials for more ideas & inspiration
☐ Find full vendor profiles & more on wedplan.com
☐ Follow vendors on social & check their galleries
☐ Reach out to book consultations
☐ Review your FREE copy of our latest WedPlan publication
☐ Celebrate!
Click here to download a printable PDF version of our attendee guide, visit our show page to purchase your tickets, and view the latest copy of our WedPlan publication here! Happy planning!
