Posts tagged Wedding

I think the search for an officiant is officially over. Monica and I went up to Wappingers Falls two weeks ago to meet with the Justice of the Peace there. Then we got stood up. We had some miscommunication it seemed. I thought I was meeting the Judge at his home but the address he gave me was his office. We waited for a bit but no one showed up.

So we made an appointment to meet Judge Chase last Saturday. He’s a pretty nice guy and he went over the ceremony and what we’d need to do. Monica and I are still a little weary about it though because we don’t have a contract really because he doesn’t do that. We’re in his schedule now and we have his word but Monica wants stuff in writing. Plus the fact that we had a complete mix up the week before doesn’t help matters. I’m optimistic though.

One thing I thought was pretty funny was that the Judge suggested a few things to do during the ceremony including this one where we’d each pour a vile of colored sand into a vase to represent how our separate lives are joining together as one or some other crap. I had my own thoughts about it but I held my tongue until we left. As soon as we were out I said “We’re not doing any of that stuff, right?” and Monica said “Of course not. Sand? Really?” I love this girl.

My wedding to Monica is now less than a year away. We’re getting married on October 10th, 2010. Yes, that’s right. 10/10/10. Granted we’ll have been engaged for over 2 years by then, but that’s besides the point.

We’ve talked about getting a sponsor for the wedding in jest but as the big day approaches we’ve talked more seriously about it. I’ve mentioned it at work a couple times to various colleagues and associates but nothing further has come of it aside from people joking with me. I’m going to try to set the record straight a little bit. I’m totally serious here. I (and my fiancee Monica) want to get a company to sponsor our wedding.

Off the top of my head, this sounds like a public relations slam dunk for just about any company. Here you have an incredibly cute couple about to start their married lives together in this harsh economic climate. They have so many big things looming in the future. A house? Children? Careers? Then a company, YOUR company, sweeps in to the rescue like Superman and lends them a helping hand. Advertising-wise this is a minimal commitment for some great gains.

We’re looking at a wedding that would cost between $20,000 and $30,000. (I’m not sure if those numbers include a honeymoon. Monica will have to clarify.) Considering how large advertising budgets can get, that’s a drop in the bucket. We’d be willing to brand the invitations (the save-the-dates have already gone out), table cards, thank you cards and whatever else needs it. Are you a clothing manufacturer? Let’s get the bridal party in your clothes! Camera company? Let’s set up a photo booth for our guests to share some memories with us.

These are just a few basic ideas. We’re expecting 150 guests for our wedding next year. That’s a good size wedding, but think of the exposure. Our 150 guests would tell their friends and family about this fun and unique wedding that you helped bring about. That’s great word of mouth.

Also, Monica and I would be more than happy to pose for pictures or be in any form of commercial or advertisement. A press release would probably be expected as well. Let’s use that camera example again. Sponsor the wedding, then pump out some advertising showing our happy faces and some pictures that we took / received during our wedding using your camera. Look at how wonderful these pictures turned out! Wouldn’t everyone want a camera that could make them this happy? Plus, who knows what could happen if this picks up steam?

Smaller sponsorships could also be a possibility. Do you make upscale clothing? Sponsor the ceremony. Are you a travel provider? Sponsor the honeymoon. There are several possibilities, but I do want to keep things from being too much like an outright advertisement. This is an example of social media with great viral potential here but that’s a fine line that we’re walking. If you’ve got another idea, by all means let me know and we’ll see what we can do!

I fully intend to pursue this idea as much as possible. I’m not going to create a PowerPoint presentation and go out making sales calls or anything like that though. If you’re a company that is interested in this idea, please contact me. If you’re just reading this and would like to spread the word, use the links at the bottom of the page to share it via Digg, Facebook, or the social networking site of your choice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.