Hey friend, it’s Ariel from Offbeat Wed, where we’ve been hyping up weird, wild, and wonderfully offbeat weddings since 2007. If you’re reading this, you already know we’re not about cookie-cutter ceremonies and stale wedding traditions. And while doing stuff on the internet is fun, 2025 is shaping up to be a hotbed of in-person alternative wedding expos and events… because sometimes you just need to meet some people and do some things!

Why alternative wedding expos are important

Let's be clear about something: mainstream wedding expos have a bad reputation. Rows of booths, awkward vendor pitches, and a sea of white tulle can sometimes feel uninspiring. Toss in uneducated vendors who have assumptions about who's getting married (“So, which one of you is the bride?”), and sometimes even gross things like weight loss boot camps (ew?!) and you'll understand why we give the side-eye to many mainstream wedding expos.

But alternative wedding expos? That’s where the magic happens. These events aren’t just about showcasing vendors. They’re about celebrating couples who want to toss the rulebook and make their day feel like them. Think inclusive, weird, artsy, colorful, queer as hell, and tailored for people who can’t quite picture themselves in a big-box bridal shop.

And guess what? Vendors from our curated Vendor community are not only attending these events… They’re creating some of them!

But first, let me tell you about one event that I’m extra excited to support.

Inclusive Wedding Summit • January 22, 2025

Picture this: An entire day dedicated to making the wedding industry more inclusive. This is the industry event for wedding vendors who want to learn more about how to be better.

I’m thrilled to be supporting the Inclusive Wedding Summit happening on January 22, 2025, in New Jersey or from your cozy couch via virtual access. Every attendee of the event gets a FREE copy of our Guide to Inclusive Marketing for Wedding Vendors. (If you’re already in our Vendor Guide, you have access to that guide for free! It's linked from your vendor dashboard.)

Why should vendors care? The event covers sales, SEO, accessibility, and niche marketing to folks planning everything from Indian weddings to queer and gender-diverse ceremonies. This is the place to learn about how to ensure every couple feels seen and celebrated.

Offbeat Wed discount alert! Vendors can use code OW20 for 20% off your registration at inclusiveweddingsummit.com.

2025 Alternative Wedding Expos

Now let’s get to the fun part. Our amazing Offbeat Wed Vendor Guide friends are out there shaking things up with their own events and expos designed for offbeat folks planning their weddings this year. Here’s a list of the 2025 alternative wedding expos where you can meet Offbeat Wed vendors live and in the flesh…

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Committed • February 16, 2025

• Location: Chicago, IL
• About the event: Committed is Chicago's only green wedding show! Showcasing eco-friendly & conscious wedding vendors
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Kate Scott Photography
• Learn more

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BDP's Show Some Love • March 1, 2025

• Location: Chicago, IL
• About the event: Big Delicious Planet hasn't officially announced the event page for this, but it will be March 1st, 2025! You can visit their page to learn more: Big Delicious Planet
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Kate Scott Photography
• Learn more

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Off White Wedding Show • March 2, 2025

• Location: St. Louis, MO
• About the event: Unlike the big-box bridal shows you might be used to, Off White focuses on unique & truly personal service. Our approach offers ALL couples planning a wedding in the St. Louis Metro area the opportunity to connect with amazing, St. Louis wedding pros in an intimate setting.
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Bee Brook Photography
• Find the event on social: @offwhitestl
• Learn more

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Big Gay Wedding Show • March 13, 2025

• Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA
• About the event: Experience an intimate wedding expo with hand-selected, small business owners supporting diversity, acceptance, and love.
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Veronica Rose Planning
• Learn more

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Veil and Vows • March 23, 2025

• Location: Portland, Oregon
• About the event: Veil and Vows is the PNW's premier Alternative Wedding Show celebrating bold ideas, creativity & unique love stories. We're featuring vendors dedicated to facilitating your vision no matter how unusual!
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Victorian Belle Weddings & Events
• Find the event on social: @veilandvows.altexpo
• Learn more

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Brooklyn Wedding Fair • April 27, 2025

• Location: Brooklyn, NY
• About the event: I'm participating in a Boutique Wedding Fair offering an alternative to the usual wedding expos. Thanks!
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Stylus DJ Entertainment
• Find the event on social: @brooklynweddingfair
• Learn more

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Simply Meant To Be Wedding Expo • October 08, 2025

• Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
• About the event: Join us for “Simply Meant to Be,” our first annual Wedding & Event Expo, on October 8, 2025 at the Art & History Museums of Maitland. Inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas, this unforgettable evening will celebrate the magic of all things moody, whimsical, and romantic!
• Our vendor friend who will be there: Mad Oddities Weddings & Events
• Find the event on social: @madoddevents
• Learn more

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These events are prime opportunities to meet folks who vibe with the offbeat, nontraditional, and inclusive weddings. And honestly? They’re also just a ton of fun. In our experience, there are often treats like vegan cupcakes.

Offbeat wedding expos are more than just a chance to network and meet vendors. They’re about building a community where everyone feels like they belong… Whether that means plus-sized wedding dresses, neurodivergent-friendly planning, or polyamorous ceremonies that honor all forms of love.

Got an event you’re producing or attending that should be on this list? Leave a comment.

Here’s to making 2025 the year of weird, wonderful, and radically inclusive weddings!