See hot wedding trends at expo in Everett

The wedding circus is coming to town, complete with cotton candy, ring pops and zany photo booths.

A carnival reception theme is among the trends on tap at the upcoming Everett/Lynnwood Wedding Expo at Comcast Arena.

“It’s fun. It brings out the kid in all of us,” expo spokesman Brad Buckles said.

Of course, there will be plenty of dresses for brides to peruse and runway models sporting the latest fashions for all members of the wedding party. Information on entertainment, flowers, photography, honeymoons and all the other wedding essentials will be under one roof.

Color is big this year, Buckles said.

Cotton candy machines that spin giant puffs of sugar on a stick are replacing chocolate fountains at receptions.

Flavor colors coordinate with ribbons, flowers and bridesmaid dresses.

“Whatever their creative fancy is, you can color match this,” Buckles said.

Candy buffet options include giant dishes of lemon drops, licorice sticks and taffy.

Guests indulge their inner child and leave with a bag of candy.

Blue candy-stained tongues and green lips might also make for some fun pics behind the curtain in the photo booth. Other props include funny hats, glasses and mustaches. Oh, what people will do after slugging down a few drinks and few pounds of sugar.

“Photo booths have really taken off,” said Howard Jensen, spokesman for the recent Seattle Wedding Show, an annual event at the Seattle convention center. “Pull the curtain and who knows what’s going to happen.”

The photo strip is a party favor to cherish. Guests leave a personalized message and photo for the wedding couple, and get to take home embarrassing pictures.

Cakes are still a big deal at weddings, but the toppers aren’t strictly black and white since the legalization of same-sex marriage.

“It’s the biggest conversation in the wedding industry,” Buckles said. “It’s fun to be one of the cities on the front lines.”

So far this year, he said he has seen mostly female couples at his Washington wedding expos.

Traditionally, brides have dragged the grooms to the shows.

“With two grooms, who’s going to drag who?” he said.

Plan your expo trip

The Everett/Lynnwood Wedding Expo features wedding fashion, food, entertainment, flowers, photographers and dress sale.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Comcast Arena Convention Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett.

Cost: $15, with two-for-the-price-of-one online special; www.bridesclub.com

Wine &Wedding Experience

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 6