I once saw on a local tv news station that a couple paid almost nothing for their wedding because they found ways to get things free by advertising or something. Is this possible? Does anyone know where I should look or how to get started with this?
I'm getting married in May and anyway I can cut costs would be great. Thanks!
2007-02-20 16:35:10 · 5 answers · asked by Aredhel 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I've heard of people getting major discounts from vendors by agreeing to advertise for them (by displaying business cards or something), but I personally think that's tacky. However, try reading this book: "Bridal Bargains" by Denise and Alan Fields (Windsor Peak Press). It's got a lot of good tips on how to avoid getting ripped off and gives good "outside the box" ideas. Good Luck!
2007-02-20 16:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by Patty 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesn't really happen. Most vendors have good enough business as it is, and they don't need to advertise at your wedding. Plus, you might only get a discount, but you'd never get all of these services for free. Also, you'd have to deal with having signs, posters, business cards, etc. all over the place.
This might have been true before bridal expos were so popular, but not anymore. Why would a vendor absorb costs to advertise at a wedding, where only a few people, if any, would be potential customers, when they could advertise at an expo, where every single person there is a potential customer?
2007-02-21 02:13:10 · answer #2 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to pay very little for your wedding, but unfortunately it is also a bit tacky to have ads on the back of your programs. Besides, unless your wedding is covered by the news, the exposure for one wedding is minimal.
The better way to do this is to ask for discounts with every vendor. Some may look at you like you are nuts, but many are willing to work with you on your budget.
Another option is to find another Bride To Be (BTB) and go shopping together. If a vendor knows that they can sign two brides at the same time, they might give a discount to both of you.
Also, don't just accept the package price that they lay out for you. Ask if a less expensive flower can be substituted for a more expensive one at the florist. See if you can have a mixed greens salad instead of a "designer" salad at the caterer. Substitute a sheet cake to serve and have false "layers" if you must have the tiered cake.
Talk to the vendors. They are business people. Most are in the wedding business because they love it, but they still need to feed their families. They can't necessarily "give away" the wedding for the advertising, but most can give discounts.
2007-02-20 16:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by wedding planner tx 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
May of 2007? You should have started long before now.
What you do is approach businesses & offer to advertise their business in return for them supplying their service for your wedding. Sometimes the ad is put in the wedding program; 'The bride's wedding gown courtesy of Poufy Dress Bridal Shop'.
Or sometimes the band will announce, "And that song was brought to you by Good & Tasty Catering located in downtown Weddingville."
Some business will have a couple of these worked into their yearly budget, other's won't go anywhere near it. This takes a lot of time, a lot of wheeling-n dealing.
2007-02-20 20:31:29 · answer #4 · answered by weddrev 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a wedding vendor, I don't know ANY wedding vendors who have done this. I certianly won't. I'm in business to make money and "advertising" at your wedding isn't going to bring me much income.
As a wedding guest I find the pratice of "sponsored" weddings tacky and cheap. If you can't afford to have a huge princess dream wedding, then you should cut back and plan something you can afford.
2007-02-20 20:38:54 · answer #5 · answered by Just Jess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋