wedding planning advice

5 Pro Tips for Attending a Wedding Expo

So, you just got engaged. You started trying to figure out how the fuck to plan a wedding and somewhere on the internet, you encountered your local wedding expo. Sounds great, right? A whole bunch of vendors all in one spot, free food & drinks, maybe even a fashion show or some prizes to help bring down the cost of your wedding! You could plan your whole wedding in a single day, it seems.

Hold up. Before you hit the convention center, here are five tips from a wedding planner to help you get the most out of a wedding expo!

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real weddings

2021 Year in Review

This year was another wild ride in the world of COVID weddings! I’m so grateful for all of our fabulous clients, who took the many changed plans of the pandemic in stride, and for the amazing wedding pros who exemplified teamwork and flexibility through all the ups and downs.

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bride and groom at kubota garden elopement
real weddings

2020 Year in Review

Well, y’all, it really has been a year, hasn’t it? When I wrapped up last year (and my first decade of weddings), I was heading into 2020 with about a dozen weddings on the books and as many trips to go along with them. January was fabulous! I had consultations with amazing couples across the country and I headed to Boston for a few days to meet with prospective vendors and a catering tasting with Anne & Andrew.

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Wedding Planning Memberships

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Sick of spending all your free time scouring internet forums for the wedding planning advice you need?

Stressing about wedding day logistics and who will handle them when you can’t do it yourself?

Wish you could work with a professional wedding planner but it’s out of budget?

Then you need Alt+Ctrl+Wed™.

Alt+Ctrl+Wed™ is a self-paced virtual program packed with planning advice, how to instructions, exclusive discounts, and all of the checklists, spreadsheets, and templates you need to get your wedding planned.

Plus, ask me and my team of wedding planners absolutely anything and get our personal support with every part of planning through our private Discord community.

Alt+Ctrl+Wed™ is offered on a sliding scale starting at just $297 for access as long as you needed. 

Join Alt+Ctrl+Wed Now!

The Super Gay Wedding Podcast

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Cindy Savage | Aisle Less Traveled

Cindy Savage is the queer, fat, feminist wedding planner behind Aisle Less Traveled and the co-creator/co-host of the Super Gay Wedding podcast. When she's not busy planning unique and creative weddings for the absolute best couples around, she can usually be found wearing stretchy pants with her nose in a book or a craft project in her hands. She currently lives in Seattle with her partner and an assortment of small houseplants.
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Actually enjoy your wedding day!

Wedding Management

You know you can plan your wedding just the way you want it. And you also know that you can’t be everyone everywhere all at once, so you’re handing the details and execution over to our team of pros.

This is for you if...

You want to handle all of the planning on your own but you’re too smart to believe that your day can run itself. You want your loved ones to get the full guest experience (no working at your wedding!) and you want to actually enjoy it, too!  

Ready to learn about our process?

Let's do it
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brides standing together at wedding
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Press the easy button on wedding planning!

Planning & Design

We handle all of the details so that you don’t miss the moments that matter most.

Let us take all of that pressure off of you. We’ll put our art degrees to work and make a beautiful event that feels authentic to the two of you.

This is for you if...

You want to hand off all of the tedious parts of the planning process to a pro, while staying involved in all of the details. You appreciate a clear and efficient process. You’re ready to make decisions quickly, but thoughtfully.

Ready to learn about our process?

Let's do it
Andy and Victor standing together on their wedding day at their luxury wedding reception
luxury centerpiece design with feathers and leaves
Option 1

Feel like your wedding planned itself!

Bespoke Event Production

On your wedding day, you’re the VIPs. And with our Bespoke Event Production service, you’ll feel like a VIP from day one.

It’s every detail taken care of, without you having to lift a finger. No researching, no vetting, no thinking about logistics, no inbox full of wedding-related emails. 

All we need from you is your vision and your guest list and we will take care of the rest.

This is for you if...

You have a clear vision for your wedding, but you have absolutely no desire to do the work of planning it. You want a trusted and experienced professional to make it happen, knowing that you’ll love the results.

(And if you’re worried that you won’t? Don’t be. Because Bespoke Event Production includes a full preview of your wedding day, with the chance to change anything you don’t like.)

Ready to learn about our process?

Let's do it
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Nick & Franklin

Enchanted Fall Forest Wedding at Trinity Tree Farm

Nick and Franklin wanted a modern, refined aesthetic that still evoked the warmth and coziness of a Pacific Northwest forest in the fall. Trinity Tree Farm is a working Christmas tree farm nestled in the foothills of the Cascades, which made it the perfect choice for this enchanted forest vibe.

A magical forest vibe can easily lean into whimsy, which we didn’t want, so we also took inspiration from Nick’s Nordic heritage to elevate the design with clean lines and minimalist styles. A big part of that was adding depth with contrast; our main colors were forest green and burgundy, accented with pops of ballet pink. We paired warm wood tables with black chairs and dishes to add drama. But we didn’t leave out the forest in the process! We draped greenery down the center of the tables and above the dance floor to create the feeling of being in the forest.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue: Trinity Tree Farm • Photographer: Jamie Buckley Photography • DJ: Puget Sounds – DJ Kelli • Florals: Flora D’Amore • Catering: The Tall Chef • Farm Tables: Seattle Farm Tables • Cake: Lydia’s Cakes & Confections • Stationery: Minted • Suits: Indochino • Transportation: A&A Limousine • Hotel Blocks: JC Room Blocks

Jackie & Tracy

An Epic Dance Party Hosted by a Drag Queen - The Hall at Fauntleroy Wedding

Jackie and Tracey had a wedding that was so very them that it couldn’t possibly have been for anyone else. They really brought the FUN! From the moment guests arrived, they knew they were in for a fabulous time — because they were greeted by a drag queen handing them a glass of champagne.

The good times continued with a drag performance and an absolutely epic dance party, which was all the better because of their design choices. The bold color palette of navy, coral, and gold brought a vibrant edginess to the day, which was complemented by dynamic and colorful lighting throughout the evening.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planning: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue: The Hall at Fauntleroy • Photographer: Jay Eads • DJ: DJ Dark Wiley • MC/Drag Performer: Betty Wetter • Photo Booth: Hello There You • Florals: Odd Flowers • Lighting: Crimson Haze Event Lighting • Catering: Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes • Dessert: The Sugah Shack • Hair & Makeup: Lana Eisenbarth • Stationery: Minted • Jackie’s Dress: Sarah Seven • Tracey’s Suit: Nordstrom, Indochino • Tracey’s Shoes: Al’s Attire

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Sid & Ren

Capes, Swords, and Magical Woodland Vibes at Twin Willow Gardens

Sid and Ren are nerds of the best variety, and when it came to their wedding, they wanted to showcase their favorite interests. It started with their outfits. They decided on full adventurer attire, with capes, corsets, boots, and swords, each topped off with a flower crown. 

When it came to decor, they wanted to highlight the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and complement the beautiful trees and flowers at the venue. They chose a color palette of greens and purples, with lots of moss, wood, and live mushrooms! We loved their table assignments – each table was named after a different woodland animal and a beautiful illustration of each animal was set in the center of every table. 

One of the most fun things we’ve ever had at a wedding was at theirs: instead of a first dance, they performed a first duel! We called on our theater background and enlisted a stage combat choreographer to design and teach them the fight sequence, which ended with a kiss and a roaring cheer from the crowd! And – you better believe they cut the cake with a sword, too!!

Vendor Team

Wedding Planning & Officiant: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue: Twin Willow Gardens • Photographer: Rove Coast Photography • DJ: Orion Entertainment • Florals: Twisted Bramble • Farm Tables: Seattle Farm Tables • Catering: Shooby Doo • Cake: Simply Sweet • Transportation: A&A Limousine • Swords: Jesse Belsky StageSwords • Adventurer Outfits: Celtic Fusion • Shoes: American Duchess • Accessories: Lykos Leather, Dark Age Leathers • Sid’s Jewelry: Balbaox • Ren’s Jewelry: Joo Jewel, Baleen • Invitations: The Knot • Signs: Niki Press Designs • Woodland Animal Table Numbers: Studio In Budapest

Steph & Lauren

Warm and Earthy Fall Wedding at Willows Lodge

Steph and Lauren dreamed of a warm and cozy early fall wedding that would show off the beautiful gardens at Willows Lodge and incorporate their love of nature. We chose a color palette of rich evergreens, warm earthy tones, and pops of peach pinks and coral. Working closely with our vendor team, we selected peach, sage, and hunter linens accented with copper glass votives. 

We opted for loose, organic vibes with the florals, choosing coppery compote bowls to hold our centerpieces and arranging our ceremony florals on the venue’s wooding arbor and wine barrels. We kept the lighting soft and warm, with market lights strung over the reception and paper lanterns lighting the way to the gelato cart for dessert. 

Steph and Lauren put their own very special touch on the decor with a custom welcome sign styled as if at the entrance to a national park, and miniature national park signs designating each dining table as a different park.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue & Catering: Willows Lodge • Photographer & Videographer: Miranda Florer • DJ: Puget Sounds – DJ Kelli • Florals: Flora D’Amore • Lighting: Glow Lighting • Hair & Makeup: Blush Strokes Beauty • Gelato Cart: Nutty Squirrel • Officiant: Pastor Ellie • National Park Welcome Sign: Timber and Stain • National Park Table Signs: Victor Wood Forge • Steph’s Wedding Dress: Anthropologie • Lauren’s Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero from I Do Bridal • Steph’s Shoes: Nordstrom Rack • Lauren’s Shoes: Aldo • Hotel Blocks: JC Room Blocks

Juliana & Nicole

Colorful Woodland Wedding at The Lodge at St. Edward State Park

Juliana and Nicole wanted to create an atmosphere of warmth, ease, and excitement. Their vision was a nature-focused event with saturated colors, cozy spaces, and lots of greenery. Our inspiration for color was a sunset – we included a full range from pinks and oranges to blues and purples. 

To create the cozy vibe, we added candles all around, rugs down the aisle, and lounge furniture on the patio, which was used throughout the reception. The centerpieces were nestled into beds of moss, with each table having a signature flower as the main point of the arrangement. That flower was also pressed into the table number. 

A colorful floral design was chosen for their invitations and signs to bring it all together. And we can’t skip over our absolute favorite part of this design – “curtains” made of flowers strung together to beautifully filter light into the ballroom.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue & Catering: The Lodge at St. Edward State Park • Photographer: Amanda Summerlin • Videographer: Shutter & Sound • DJ & Photo Booth: Orion Entertainment • Florals: Floravore • Lighting: Glow Lighting • Rentals: Wander Event Rentals • Cakes: Askatu Bakery • Hair: Sanseveria • Makeup: Blush & Braids Beauty Bar • Hotel Room Blocks: JC Room Blocks

Andy & Victor

Studio 54 meets The Great Gatsby at Clearwater Resort Wedding

Andy and Victor came to us with a crystal clear vision for their wedding. They wanted an elegant, glamorous affair – and they wanted every single guest to feel like a VIP at an exclusive club. When we started talking about design, they already had a dress code in mind: they would wear black tuxes, the wedding party would wear all white, and they would ask their guests to arrive fashionably dressed in the colors of the rainbow. 

They weren’t particularly interested in live flowers and they wanted to keep the event color palette neutral as well, so we settled on black and white with metallic details. We transformed the ballroom from basic to elevated with floor-to-ceiling black and white draping. White ostrich feathers, gold painted palm fronds, and draped crystals made their centerpieces sparkly but chic. 

The tablescapes were on point with black linens, gold flatware, and white plates on top of gold-rimmed glass chargers. We never overlook the importance of lighting in setting the mood – which meant warm uplighting around the room for dinner and then a full-color, club style show for dancing.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue & Catering: Suquamish Clearwater Resort & Casino • Photographer: Amanda Summerlin • DJ: Jess the Ripper • Florals: Flora D’Amore • Rentals: CORT Party Rentals • Draping: Quest Events • Lighting: Lovecraft Events • Stationery: Minted • Hair & Makeup: Blush Strokes Beauty • Andy’s Tux: Viktor Luna • Victor’s Tux: Sharpe Suiting • Groom’s Shirts: Indochino • Bow Ties: FloralTrip • Cuff Links: Ox & Bull Trading Co • Reception Jumpsuits: Christian Siriano • Andy’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin • Victor’s Shoes: To Boot New York • Transportation: A&A Limousine • Hotel Blocks: JC Room Blocks