There are many different ways to approach wedding planning. Some couples have a clear vision from the moment they get engaged, while others prefer to explore their options and see what inspires them along the way.
Visit any wedding show and you'll quickly see just how different every couple's planning journey can be. You might meet the bride who has every detail organised months in advance, alongside someone who has only just got engaged and is still working out where to start.
While no two brides are exactly the same, there are certainly a few familiar types you might recognise.
Here are ten of the brides you're likely to meet at a wedding show – which one are you?
1. The Spreadsheet Bride
For some brides, wedding planning is an exercise in organisation.
This bride has a spreadsheet for everything, from the guest list and budget to supplier enquiries and payment deadlines. She knows exactly how many people are coming, what needs to be booked next and how much is left in the budget.
While it might sound excessive to some, there is something to be said for being organised. With so many decisions to make, keeping everything in one place can make the planning process feel much more manageable.
And if you're lucky, she might even share her spreadsheet with you.
2. The Pinterest Bride
The Pinterest bride has been collecting wedding inspiration long before she got engaged.
Her boards are full of dreamy venues, beautiful tablescapes, floral arrangements, wedding dresses and cakes. She probably has a very specific idea of how she wants the day to look – although choosing between the hundreds of ideas she's saved might be another story.
For this bride, a wedding show is a chance to see those ideas in real life. Seeing fabrics, flowers, stationery and styling in person can often help turn an online mood board into a clearer vision.
3. The “We've Only Just Got Engaged” Bride
The ring is new, the congratulations are still coming in and the wedding planning hasn't quite started yet.
This bride might not have a date, venue or even a guest list. She may not know whether she wants a traditional church wedding, a countryside celebration or a city party – and that's completely fine.
For newly engaged couples, wedding shows can be a great starting point. Exploring different suppliers and seeing what's available can help you work out what you like, what you don't and where you'd like to begin.
There's no need to have all the answers before you arrive.
4. The Dress-First Bride
For some brides, the wedding starts with the dress.
Before the venue has been chosen or the invitations have been discussed, she's already thinking about silhouettes, fabrics, designers and accessories.
The dress can be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning, so it's easy to see why some brides want to find their perfect gown first.
Visiting a wedding show gives dress-first brides the opportunity to discover different designers, see gowns up close and find inspiration for the rest of their bridal look.
5. The Venue-First Bride
Then there's the bride who knows that everything starts with the venue.
She might already have a very specific setting in mind – perhaps a countryside barn, grand manor house, modern city venue or somewhere completely unexpected.
For this bride, finding the right venue is often the first major milestone because so many other decisions will follow from it, including the guest list, catering, décor and overall style of the day.
Meeting a range of venues and venue specialists at a wedding show can make it much easier to compare what's available and start narrowing down the options.
6. The “I'm Just Looking” Bride
She isn't ready to book anything.
She's simply coming along for some inspiration, to get a feel for what's out there and perhaps pick up a few ideas.
At least, that's what she tells everyone.
There's nothing wrong with browsing. In fact, seeing different suppliers in person can be one of the best ways to work out what you actually want.
And if you happen to meet your dream photographer or discover the cake you've been searching for, well… you were only looking.
7. The Bride Who Has Already Booked Everything
For this bride, wedding planning has been in full swing for quite some time.
The venue is booked, the photographer is confirmed, the dress has been ordered and the entertainment is sorted. She has probably already sent the invitations too.
So why come to a wedding show?
Because there is always something else to discover.
Whether she's looking for finishing touches, entertainment ideas, accessories or simply wants to see what's new, there is plenty of inspiration to find even when the major suppliers have already been booked.
8. The Budget Bride
The budget bride knows exactly what she wants to spend – and she's determined to make it work.
She's comparing packages, asking what's included and looking for ways to get the most from every part of the budget.
Having a clear idea of what you can afford is one of the most useful things you can do when planning a wedding. It allows you to prioritise the things that matter most and make informed decisions about where to spend and where to save.
Meeting several suppliers in one place can also make comparing options much easier.
9. The Maximalist Bride
Minimalism isn't for everyone.
The maximalist bride wants colour, flowers, candles, statement décor and plenty of personality. She's not afraid to make a statement and believes that if you're going to celebrate, you may as well go all out.
For her, the details are what make the wedding memorable. From dramatic floral installations to bold stationery and show-stopping cakes, there's always another opportunity to add something special.
Wedding shows are ideal for gathering this kind of inspiration, particularly when you can see different styling ideas brought together in person.
10. The “I Don't Know What I Want, But I'll Know It When I See It” Bride
Perhaps the most difficult bride to categorise is the one who doesn't have a clear vision at all.
She doesn't have a particular colour scheme, doesn't know what style of dress she wants and hasn't decided whether the wedding should be formal, relaxed, traditional or completely different.
And sometimes that's the best place to start.
Wedding planning doesn't have to begin with a perfectly formed vision. Sometimes you need to see different options before you discover what feels right.
A wedding show allows you to explore everything from venues and bridalwear to flowers, cakes and entertainment, giving you the chance to find inspiration naturally rather than trying to decide everything beforehand.
Ready to Get Planning?
Wedding planning looks different for everyone. Some couples know exactly what they want, while others need a little inspiration before their vision starts to take shape.
That's where meeting suppliers in person can make all the difference. From trying on dresses and discovering new venues to tasting cakes, exploring décor and chatting to photographers, a wedding show gives you the opportunity to see, compare and ask questions all in one place.
At The National Wedding Show, you'll find hundreds of wedding experts ready to help you plan every part of your big day.
Whatever your wedding planning style, come along, meet the experts and discover the inspiration that could bring your big-day vision together. 💍