By Cameron Woolley
Planning a wedding can be hectic, especially with school and work.
For help, people read bridal magazines, talk to wedding experts and attend wedding expositions.
From something old to something new, something borrowed to something blue and all the rest of the wedding day customs, brides-to-be will be on the hunt for the perfect elements for their wedding.
However, bridal fairs can take some stress out of pre-wedding planning by bringing businesses to you.
“It is one-stop shopping rather than running all around Utah County,” said Amy Hixson, co-owner of Dan Hixson Photography and frequent fair-participant.
Eleah Boyd of Avalon Productions said she exhibits her business at bridal expositions as well. She also hosts one.
Floral stores, caterers, photographers, videographers, reception centers, decorators, real estate agents, bridal registries, hair and makeup salons, jewelers and hotels are the common participants at fairs, she said.
Cell phone companies have offered deals on phones to make wedding planning more convenient.
Dentists occasionally offer teeth whitening, too, Boyd said.
Exclusive discounts are also available to fair goers.
Hixson said her business has offered free engagement or bridal photography sittings at former expositions.
She said her sister, Kirstin Nilsson, owner of invitation business Announcing, has given $100 dollar discounts to everyone who chooses to use her invitations from a fair.
There are six bridal expositions in Utah County.
Avalon Productions hosts three of the six at the McKay Events Center on the Utah Valley State College campus.
The expositions take place in January, April and September.
Boyd said ticket prices are $5, or free passes are available at ZCMI.
Provo High School hosts the other bridal fairs in January, April and September as well.
