By Marshall Loeb - MarketWatch

NEW YORK - Tying the knot does not come cheap. A wedding in the U.S. will cost an average of $26,800 this year, according to estimates from The Wedding Report, a market-research organization. And with a dizzying array of choices to make - photographers, venues, caterers, florists, DJs - planning a wedding can clobber both your sanity and your wallet.

Enter the bridal expo, an event designed to help couples easily compare vendors, services and prices. Bridal expos offer one-stop-shopping, showcasing wedding merchants for every nuptial need, ranging from photographers to caterers to invitation designers.

Ken Rabasco, president of Bosco's Bridal Fashion Show & Expo, says that shows are useful because "you can check out packages, compare merchants' work and save on the price of gas" by getting the information you need all in one place. His expos also provide workshops on what couples need to know, such as what to look for in a vendor contract and common mistakes to avoid.

"Our attendees become more educated consumers," he says.

Bridal expos can score you savings as well. Bill Heaton, CEO of Great Bridal Expo Group, which attracts 130,000 people to its 40 shows each year, says his company recommends to all its merchants that they offer a special show discount available only to attendees. "Almost all take us up on it," he said.

Donna Cavanaugh, owner of the Pittsburgh-area Cavanaugh's Bridal Show, adds that the free swag you can win at an expo might be well worth the price of admission (which typically ranges from free to $10/person). Many shows award a free honeymoon to a lucky attendee, and most vendors and show organizers offer smaller prizes such as wedding favors or home goods.

"There are literally tens of thousands of dollars in prizes being awarded at our events. And there's a very good chance of winning," says Heaton.

Cavanaugh advises that attendees bring preprinted address labels so they can quickly give their information to vendors and be entered into drawings. And don't forget your checkbook - you'll need it if you want to book a vendor on the spot.

Bridal expos take place throughout the year, though most occur in fall and winter. To find one near you, consult Bridal Show Producers International at http://www.bspishows.com/.

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