This year I finally made the jump and did a wedding expo. I’ve been building business for the better part of three years now, but this is the first time I’ve REALLY put myself and my photography out there to show the world. To some, wedding expos aren’t really a big deal. To me, it was a back-and-forth sort of decision. For so long I *wanted* to participate in an expo-although it’s biased for me to say, I truly love every part of a wedding and the planning of it. The wedding industry in the recent years can be such a creative, beautiful, emotional, love-filled event and I’m completely obsessed with every detail of it all. This is why I love photographing weddings and why I truly love helping the brides that I get to work with.
Being in an expo meant that I had to really stand back and present the business part of myself to other people. This is something I struggle with as a photographer. In all truth (and as I’ve told many people in the past) even if I wasn’t making money doing this, I would *still* be doing this. I’ve truly found my passion in life and I can’t express to anyone how much it means to me to be able to do this. But to be able to fully put my energy into something like this, I have to not have my focus elsewhere–meaning, I can’t be working another job on the side, or do photography on the side. For a long time I was doing this, but I didn’t feel fulfilled in my work. Of course, this isn’t the same case for every photographer (mad props to full time photographers who are parents or have other jobs on the side). For me it’s different. I truly struggle with the business aspect of this all and I really wanted to be more established in a “wedding photography business” before I REALLY put myself out to the public at a wedding expo.
I finally got to that point and boy was I ready! So many years of ideas built up just poured out. I wanted something that would flow well with my website, my brand, my style, and the type of bride that I want to work for. I think I really nailed it! SO MUCH thank you to my husband who helped me build the wood wall backdrop, and carry all my junk from the living room to the expo site, and everything he did. It wouldn’t have been possible without him!!
When I was researching ideas for my booth, I read a suggestion from another professional photographer that it’s smart to have a unique giveaway to hand out to all potential clients. Many booths give away candy or pens, but I wanted something truly unique that would really reflect my style. At first I thought I would do the usual pens, or maybe even make something unique in my kitchen to hand out. I honestly have no idea how I came up with the idea, but I woke up one day and realized I HAD to give out miniature-somethings. I have old bottles all over my home and I have photographed many weddings with wildflowers in glass bottles or jars. I love these sorts of weddings and I wanted to show that to brides who would be having a wedding with that similar style. So I found the CUTEST miniature vials with corks, and then I bought a bouquet of tiny fake flowers from the thrift store. I cut the flowers and put them into the vials, covered the corks, and attached a mini replica of my business card as the tag. I LOVED these so much and I am definitely going to continue using this idea!
I want to say a huge thank you to my sweet and beautiful friend Sage. She was so gracious to help me out both days at the expo! I wish I would have been able to give an equal amount of attention and conversation to each guest, but there were so many newly engaged couples visiting! Thankful for her, we were at least able to touch base with everyone who stopped by!
Special thank you to Grand Banquet Party and Rental and to the Occhiato University Center for putting together the expo.
Some of my favorite vendors from the expo are here:
Venues:
Bridal Boutiques:
Style Bride Boutique and Tuxedo
Catering:
Cakes:
Floral:
Hair and Makeup:
Decor Rentals:
Grand Banquet Party and Rental
*If you are a vendor who would like to collaborate or trade referrals please contact me at Malissa@MalissaAhlin.com*
LOVE your booth!! One question: where did you buy the wood that is on the back wall? (those are hollow doors, right?)
Hey Jessica! The wood we used is actually from used wooden pallets from a local store who was just throwing them out. There’s tons of great Pallet Wood ideas that we found online, and making this wood wall was just one of them! We essentially tore apart the pallets and then stapled the wood slabs onto a frame that my husband built. I think we spent less than $100 building it, so it’s totally worth the time putting it together :)
Your booth is beautiful! I hope you don’t mind, but I am using your booth as inspiration to create my first expo booth. Can I ask how you put up the 2 wood beams at the front of the booth. I also really love the string lighting!
Your booth is beautiful! I hope you don’t mind, but I am using your booth as inspiration to create my first expo booth. Can I ask how you put up the 2 wood beams at the front of the booth. I also really love the string lighting!
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Thanks so much for sharing your expo experience AND photos of your rockin’ booth! I’m participating in my first expo in a few weeks. You’ve given me some great inspiration!
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