Are bridal shows worth it? When I was first starting out, bridal shows had a bit of a bad reputation. I’d hear things like “they’re outdated,” “you only meet budget shoppers,” or “it’s a total waste of time.” But now that I’ve been in this industry for years, I can confidently say—bridal shows can be an incredible way to meet your ideal clients… if you approach them strategically. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to make bridal shows actually work for your photography business. I’m sharing what to look for, how to show up intentionally, and why you should never overlook the power of free venue open houses. If you’ve ever written off bridal shows, this might just change your mind.

Let’s break it down with a look inside one of the strategies I teach in Photography Business Mastermind.

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It was back in 2016…

In fact, I remember distinctly attending a Katelyn James workshop (the OG, IYKYK). It was her second to last in-person workshop, and it was amazing! I learned so much from this awesome lady in the first few years of my business that helped me the consistent and service-oriented photographer I am today. 

But at the workshop, she said something that caught me a little off guard. “Bridal shows are not worth it. You’ll only find price shoppers and budget brides there.” Now, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and everyone has different experiences, but for me, that could not be further from the truth!

In fact, back when I was getting into the niche of wedding photography after spending over a year learning and shooting with other wedding photographers, a bridal show in later 2016 was actually the very first way I booked my first clients. 

Now, my wedding show booth looked a little different back in 2016. Shout out to my amazing mom who came to support me on this first big venture! This photo makes me smile with pride looking back on this sweet journey.

My Honest Take on Bridal Shows

In this episode, I share why I think bridal shows can be a hugely effective marketing tool in your business if utilized correctly, and I also share my method of meeting my ideal brides in person without paying a dime now! (You’ll definitely want to tune in to hear!)

We’re going to break down:

• How to find your ideal clients at bridal shows
• What to do to “close the deal” and how to set yourself apart with the follow up after shows
• What will help you steer clear of price shoppers or clients that don’t fit your investment rate

You don’t have to figure this all out alone.

What I Use

I hope the photo above inspires you to see that you don’t really need a ton of stuff to do bridal shows effectively. In fact, ALL of my bridal show stuff can fit into one singular green box that is very easy for me to transport to and from the venue. Here’s what’s inside:

• Mini easels to display my photos
• Thick board photo prints with borders
• A sample wedding magazine that I give to all my couples
• Physical contact cards
• Tablecloth
• Business cards
• Pens

That’s it! In fact, over in the episode shownotes, I give you my exact contact card template that you can use and print with Canva.

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If you’re ready to use model calls to build your portfolio, attract more of your ideal client and break into higher-end markets or new locations, I’d love to support you.

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The mastermind is currently enrolling and only 2 spots remain. The program is limited to 5 photography business owners to keep it intimate and personalized. Let’s make this your most profitable year yet, with success on your terms.

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