Hi there! I’m Diane. If you are newly engaged, let me be the first to say congratulations! This is such an exciting season of life, but my husband Glenn and I know firsthand that it can also feel a little overwhelming. We own All4One Farms, a family-owned Jacksonville wedding venue situated on our beautiful farm that was established back in 1969. Since we started hosting weddings in 2017, we have had the honor of welcoming hundreds of couples to our property, helping them navigate the journey from “Will you?” to “I do.”
One of the first big steps many of our couples take is attending a local bridal expo. If you’ve never been to one, picture this: rows upon rows of sparkling displays, the smell of cake samples wafting through the air, and a whole lot of excited chatter. It is a fantastic place to find inspiration, but it can be a sensory overload if you aren’t prepared.
As venue owners who have been in the business of weddings for years, we have picked up quite a few tricks of the trade. Whether you are looking for an outdoor wedding venue or just trying to find the perfect DJ, here is our survival guide for making the most of your local wedding expos.
Why Attend a Wedding Expo?
You might be wondering if it is worth giving up your afternoon to walk around a convention center. In our experience, the answer is a resounding yes! While Pinterest and Instagram are amazing for visual inspiration, nothing beats meeting vendors face-to-face.
At a bridal show, you can:
- Taste the food: Caterers and bakers often have samples. You can’t taste a photo on Instagram!
- See the personality: Your photographer and DJ will be with you during intimate moments of your big day. Meeting them in person helps you decide if their vibe matches yours.
- Get exclusive deals: Many vendors offer “show specials” or discounts that are only available if you book or schedule a consultation during the expo.
Photo by Mandee Matthews X Moonlight Photo Co.
5 Strategies for Expo Success
Over the years, Glenn and I have heard feedback from countless brides about what worked for them (and what didn’t). Here are five tips to help you navigate the aisles like a pro.
- Create a Wedding-Specific Email Address
This is my number one tip! Before you buy your expo ticket, create a separate email address (e.g., [email protected]). You are going to be giving your contact information to a lot of vendors, and your personal inbox will get flooded quickly. Having a dedicated email keeps everything organized and prevents your work emails from getting buried under florist quotes.
- The “Sticker Strategy”
At every booth, vendors will ask you to fill out a contact form to enter giveaways or get more information. Writing your name, wedding date, and email address fifty times is exhausting.
Before you go, print out sheets of address labels that include:
- Your Name (and your fiancé’s name)
- Your Wedding Date (or “TBD” if you haven’t picked one yet)
- Your Dedicated Wedding Email
- Phone Number
When you approach a booth, just peel and stick! It saves so much time and lets you focus on chatting rather than writing.
- Bring a Selective “I Do” Crew
It is tempting to bring your mom, your future mother-in-law, all your bridesmaids, and your best friend from college. However, navigating crowded aisles with a large entourage can be stressful. We recommend bringing just one or two people whose opinions you value most. It makes decision-making easier and keeps the day fun rather than chaotic.
- Know Your Venue Status
This is crucial. Some vendors, like florists or decor rentals, will need to know your venue to give you an accurate quote. If you haven’t booked a venue yet, you are looking for general inspiration. If you have booked, you can get specific numbers.
At All4One Farms, we operate as an “a la carte” venue. This means we provide the stunning backdrop—over 100 acres of pastures, majestic live oaks, and our beautiful open-air barn—and you choose the vendors that reflect your style. Because we don’t force you to use specific vendors, expos are a goldmine for our couples! It’s the perfect opportunity to build your dream team of photographers, bakers, and DJs who will come out to the farm and make magic happen.
- Ask the Right Questions
When you meet a vendor you like, don’t just grab a brochure and run. Ask them about their experience. For example, ask a photographer, “Have you ever shot at a Jacksonville wedding venue with large oak trees?” or ask a caterer, “Are you familiar with setting up in an outdoor barn setting?”
Glenn and I pride ourselves on our heart for service, and we love working with vendors who share that value. Use the face-to-face time at the expo to see if they are truly interested in serving you or just looking for another contract.
Top Jacksonville Wedding Expos and Bridal Shows
Living in North Florida means we are blessed with a vibrant wedding community, and throughout the year, there are several major expos you won’t want to miss. While dates change annually, keeping an eye out for these staple events is a smart move for any bride-to-be.
The Premier Bride Expo
This is often one of the largest shows in the area, typically held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center or the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. It features over 100 incredible wedding professionals. It’s a fantastic place to start if you have just gotten engaged and need to book your major vendors.
Jacksonville Bridal Fantasy
Known for its fun atmosphere and great fashion shows, the Bridal Fantasy events are perfect for seeing the latest gown trends on the runway. It’s a great excuse to grab your bridesmaids and make a day of it!
Local Boutique Shows
Sometimes, smaller is better. Keep an eye out for smaller, boutique-style bridal shows hosted by specific venues or planning groups. These can offer a more intimate experience where you can have longer conversations with vendors without feeling rushed.
Pro Tip: I always suggest checking the event websites or social media pages for the most up-to-date information on dates, ticket prices, and vendor lists.
finding the right venue for your vendors
While expos are great for finding florists and DJs, choosing your venue is a decision best made on-site. You need to stand in the space to truly feel if it’s right for you.
If you are dreaming of a rustic yet elegant setting, we would love to show you around All4One Farms. We are family-owned, and we treat every wedding as if it were for our own family. We are open from January through June, and September through December, and we are currently booking dates into 2027!
We offer incredible value with transparent pricing—no hidden fees here. When you book with us, your rental includes:
- 12 Hours of Access: Plenty of time for a stress-free day.
- Ceremony & Reception Spaces: Choose your favorite spot under the oaks for the vows, then move to the open-air barn for the party.
- Furniture Included: We provide antique oak pews for the ceremony and your choice of round or banquet tables with white chiavari chairs for the reception.
- Bridal Suite & Groom’s Room: A beautiful suite in the main house for the ladies and a separate room out back for the guys.
- Decor Closet: Access to our collection of decor, including cedar arches, crosses, and whiskey barrels.
- And so much more: From setup and breakdown of tables to fire pit access and an on-site staff member, we cover the logistics so you can enjoy the moment.
Turning Inspiration into Reality
After the expo, go home, put your feet up, and sort through your brochures. Sort them into “Yes,” “No,” and “Maybe” piles. Then, reach out to your favorites using that dedicated email address you created.
Remember, the vendors are there to help you, just like we are. Whether you need a recommendation for a great caterer who knows our kitchen or advice on the best ceremony start time for a November wedding, Glenn and I are here to help. We have hosted hundreds of weddings, and we love sharing our experience to make your day perfect.
Ready to Visit the Farm?
We hope these tips help you tackle your next bridal show with confidence! But remember, the best way to envision your wedding day is to see the venue in person. Pictures are beautiful, but they can’t capture the breeze through the oak trees or the peaceful quiet of the pasture.
We encourage you to come and see everything in person! You can schedule a tour today to walk the property with us. If you want to crunch the numbers first, feel free to use our price calculator to see exactly what your package would look like.
Have specific questions? Contact us for more information, or take a look at our gallery for some major inspiration.
Happy planning,
Diane
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Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, we hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate owned or investor owned venues. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map. Below is a shout out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
- Maidenwood, Maidenwood Blog,
- The Barn at Magnolia Farm,
- The Barn at Green Garden Farm,
- Little Tennessee Farm,
- Caribou Bay Retreat,
