Organising a wedding takes a lot of love, thought and preparation. Whether it’s a grand event for hundreds or a small, very personal party you’ll need the best of friends, family and experts to help out.

A good way to begin your planning is a wedding show and the biggest and best in the region is Bride: The Wedding Show at Westpoint Arena, Exeter, on October 8 and 9, 2016, organised by Devon Life’s sister title, South West Bride.

The show has expanded for 2016 with more than 170 of the South West’s finest wedding suppliers, together with a marquee of wedding transport.

Get inspiration for your gown, your bridesmaids’ dresses, menswear and guestwear at the spectacular, choreographed catwalk shows at 11.30am, 1.15pm and 3pm. There’s entertainment from Blue Lion Band, FullyFunctional, Steve Dott Sings and magician Dan Brazier and a dedicated vintage area. All this plus lots of exclusive show deals, competitions and samples, a stylish café provided by Posh Nosh, and a champagne bar.

The Devon wedding businesses exhibiting range from venues, make-up and hair specialists, photographers, and dress designers to stationers, florists, entertainers and caterers.

Dave Gregory of Party Lights bespoke lighting of Teignmouth says: “What better way to make sure you’ve got the right supplier than to talk face to face? And we’ll be offering 10% discount to anyone who books within one month of talking to us at Westpoint.”

Sassi Holford of Taunton will be exhibiting gowns from the Sassi Holford Twenty17 collection, which launched earlier this year in London. Manager Kristine Overd, says: “We love exhibiting at Westpoint because we meet brides from all over the UK who come to this amazing show.”

Ben Lee of Honiton-based Ben Lee Photoimagery is offering a 10 per cent discount to anyone booking through the show. He says: “The buzz of the event is awesome, meeting other suppliers within the industry and having all that info at your fingertips is perfect for planning and booking your special day.” Sophie Brooke, wedding manager at the Deer Park Country House

Weston, Honiton, says: “The Wedding Show offers a great one-stop shop for everything wedding-related. It gives brides from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset the chance to fulfil their wedding dreams.”

Exhibitors handing out samples include Pickle Shack of Woodbury Salterton. Jodie Sawatzki, director and events manager, says: “Our super-smiley team will be on hand to explore your wedding food ideas or options – and, more importantly, we will be showcasing our most popular creative canapés… yum.”

The first 100 brides through the doors on each day of the show receive a goody bag of samples and visitors can pick up a free South West Bride magazine, plus a show guide. Anyone who registers for advance show tickets will have the chance to enter a free prize draw to win a return flight for two from Exeter Airport to Alicante with Flybe – make sure you tick the box to enter.

*Bride: The Wedding Show is at Westpoint Arena, Exeter, on October 8 and 9, 2016, from 10am-4pm.

Tickets are half-price in advance for Devon Life readers . Use promotional code LIFE84 to get yours for just £2.50 each from theweddingshow.co.uk/westpoint-wedding-show. Tickets are £7.50 each on the day.

In 2017 Archant Bride will also organise a spring Bride: The Wedding Show at Westpoint Arena, on March 25 and 26. See theweddingshow.co.uk/westpoint-wedding-show for details.