Nov. 5—The 2023 Frederick Weddings Expo drew dozens of people to the Frederick Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon, where many soon-to-be-weds, family members and friends met with vendors and businesses to learn about wedding services.
In the Null Building on the fairgrounds, more than 45 vendors set up individual booths for attendees to get a glimpse at what they offer during the expo, which was hosted by The Frederick News-Post.
The businesses covered a wide range of wedding-related services, including wedding planning, photography, dance training, dresses, catering, jewelry and honeymoon packages.
Many vendors were returning to the expo this year. One was Colonial Jeweler, which is turning 75 this year, according to brand manager Megan Connolly. The business has participated in the expo for several years, and this year is Connolly’s third year attending.
Connolly said attendees usually are looking for wedding bands at the business’ booth, but sometimes couples will attend together to pick out engagement rings, or groups will look for engagement rings for their friends.
“[My favorite part] I think, it really is just meeting the brides. They’re always so excited,” she said.
Some vendors were participating in this specific expo for the first time. Stephanie Bosdosh, who runs the wedding planning business WedWithSteph, said she’s participated in other expos before but only found out about this event after seeing Instagram advertisements.
Bosdosh said she enjoyed the Frederick Weddings Expo, particularly because the event allows each vendor to set up their own designated booth.
Bosdosh said she hopes attendees walk out of the event — and away from her booth — feeling less stressed about putting their weddings together.
“I feel like people are trying to plan their weddings when they have full-time jobs, and they’re so stressed out, and it bleeds into your wedding day,” she said.
While the doors officially opened at noon, some attendees had paid for VIP access to go into the expo early before the general public filed in.
Several attendees were engaged and came with family members to find the finishing touches for their ceremonies.
Kailee Earp, who attended the expo with her mother, Karen Earp, and her fiancé’s mother, Virginia John, came to fill some final details for her wedding, slated for this coming April. The trio, who came from Carroll County, were specifically looking for florists and hair and makeup services.
John said they got to put names to faces by meeting some of the vendors they’ve already booked. She also said seeing Fred Astaire Dance Studios, which helps couples prepare their first dances, made them start thinking about dance lessons for the wedding.
Robin King brought her mother Christina King to look for dresses for the maid of honor and flower girl, as well as transportation.
Robin King, from Mount Airy, said she saw an ad for a similar expo in Baltimore. When she clicked on it, information about the Frederick Weddings Expo came up, so she decided to attend because of its proximity to home. This expo is her and her mother’s first time attending this kind of event.
Christina King said the two were interested in meeting all the vendors and seeing what designs they have to offer.
“I’m just kind of interested to see … what’s new for 2024, stuff that we haven’t thought about,” she said. “It’s pretty overwhelming once you start getting into it.”