Feb 15 2009
Sponsor my wedding, a corporate America sellout.
Earlier this week, I rambled about how I could make extra money for my wedding by writing this blog, and anything else I could come up with (selling body parts?). I was browsing through the archives of The Bad Pitch Blog and found possibly the worst wedding fundraiser idea ever.The Bad Pitch Blog chronicles horrible pleas to media outlets and executives to cover a subject, commonly called a pitch in the public relations world. Last summer, a Lima, Ohio couple sent out a massive email asking for corporate sponsorship! Going as far as saying business names would go on the large protector screens at their church. Here’s an excerpt from the e-mail:
“This would be an exceptional venue to showcase your business and demonstrate your company’s generosity. Our guests on average will be young, single, and or married professionals, which is a perfect target audience for your business!!”
For more of the e-mail and to read the witty accompanying commentary, check out The Bad Pitch Blog’s Worst Pitch in the World.
I won’t be sinking as low as actively seeking out corporate sponsorship, but do think I need to get creative with wedding funding. Time for me to learn the art of budgeting!
I love everyone’s mixed responses. I guess I should have withheld judgment a bit, but I just know this route isn’t for me. And, from The Bad Pitch Blog’s angle, this must be the worst media pitch out there.
I would admit that I wouldnt coat any sponsership in a place of worship and I am not even religious. I just think that is a bit too far and rude.
However, I see no reason why people shouldnt be able to take creative chances getting the funding for thier wedding.
For instance, I couple who makes combined maybe 2000-2400 a month are not going to be able to save much. It shouldn’t take someone 15 years to have a wedding, and someone shouldnt have to get married in a a 15 minute flash wedding at the courthouse. The fact is the industry is highly overpriced and greedy… I have broken down costs myself and you can easily see that they make two to three times profit.
My fiancee and I are currently trying to save for our wedding. We have no other immediate family and therefore no contribution. The current quote for our wedding, being the cheapest venue and minimal options is 7500. Not including clothing or flowers. So you can figure possible about 9000 total. That is about a half of a years income. I mean we have bills and there isnt much mobility after them to save.
So I cant critisize someone for wanted to make there dream come true in any way possible. People should empathy.
First, I strongly don’t think that you can past judgement if you never been to a wedding that is sponsored. When you think about it people do it everyday with family members, but we don’t call it that because it informal. For example my wedding dress cost $2500, didn’t I buy it….no….my fiance’s mother did. My bridal cake and groom’s cake…am I going to purchase those….no….my aunt is. My professional wedding coordinator is a close freind of the family. Also, my cousin who is a professional photographer quoted a price of only $350 in exchange for explosure. Everyone else that I mentioned previously get to implement their dream wedding idea(s). That is some form of sponsorship (getting support from your family and friends in exchange for something), howeverformal would be offering a photographer, florist, videographer, caterer, make-up artist, and etc. your wedding day to help build their image. I believe that wedding sponsors is a great idea, whether it’s corp. or not, as long as the bride and groom stays in control. I mean it is your day and sponsors should be like a fly on the wall.