Find a Wedding Sponsor

Want To Save On Wedding Costs? Try Sponsorships - Photographers, Caterers, Dressmakers Could Be Convinced To Sponsor Weddings

The average wedding these days costs about $30,000. How would you like to save some of that money? Sponsors could be the answer. A bride in Egg Harbor Township is trying to do just that. "I'm writing to offer you a proposal I hope you can't refuse, I'm a bride-to-be planning a dream wedding and I want you to be part of it," Stephanie Walsh wrote to prospective vendors.

For Walsh, part of planning her wedding involves how she is going to pay for it, so she is sending out solicitation letters to area vendors for donations in return for advertising. "Basically, just proposing to them that I'm willing to advertise their services at my wedding," Walsh said. She learned about the idea of sponsored weddings in Modern Bride magazine. "I'm hoping that I can get the food sponsored, maybe the limos, maybe photography," Walsh said.

Judith Ann Graham, author of My Bride Guide, says that sponsored weddings can be a great way to save. "The whole point of getting things that are economically more feasible to us is very appealing," Graham said.

Retail experts say the idea will be appealing to sponsors, too, especially smaller, newer companies. "What a wonderful way to get your card, your logo, your brand out there to the general public," said Scott Krugman, of the National Retail Federation.

Welsh had some success with her quest. She thinks that she now has a photographer and videographer and a local eatery all interested in sponsoring her wedding. "I wouldn't mind business cards. I want it to be tasteful. I'm pretty much open to any ideas that someone would bring me," Welsh said.