How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

Money Saving Secrets

The Totally Free Dream Wedding
Sabrina and Tom always dreamed of having a big lavish wedding — they just couldn't afford it. Until, they came up with a brilliant plan that saved them tens of thousands of dollars. Sabrina and Tom had a fairytale wedding set in a castle with hundreds of guests. A wedding that would have cost them a whopping $40,000, but only cost them $8,000. How'd they do it?

Sabrina and Tom came up with the idea to have sponsors for their wedding. They subtly used the names of the companies sponsoring the wedding several times throughout the wedding process. Giving them proper recognition ensures satisfaction for all participating.

First they straightened out the food. Each restaurant agreed to serve a dish for 250 people, in return for the restaurant's name to be posted alongside the particular dish. Sabrina and Tom saved $20,000 here and spent nothing on food for their wedding. Then, they worried about dessert. Here they received a five-tier wedding cake with fresh flowers atop, and cookies — normally an estimated $2,000 — for free. The same went for the flowers, the tiara, the garter belt, the invitations, and the party favors!! All for free! Sabrina and Tom enclosed a tastefully done Sponsored By sheet with their invitations to further promote their supporting companies. Just about the only part of the wedding they did pay for was the wedding dress. Why? The expense was only due to the fact that the dress was bought before the idea for sponsorship was born!

People expected to see banners and other huge forms of advertising at their wedding, but were pleasantly surprised to find all of the advertising to be discreet. Sabrina and Tom's dream of a fairy-tale wedding met and exceeded all expectations. You can do it, too!

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

In my opinion that is the tackiest thing I have ever heard....if you cant afford a big wedding then don’t have one!! Have whatever you can afford. Next thing Ill hear is the bride and groom asking people to pay for their meals as well as give a gift!!

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

You know we love you Shamma but this is just terrible IMO. If a couple cant afford a lavish wedding, they just should have something smaller or have nothing at all. Using a wedding as a marketing event just cheapens the whole thing.

Lisa: Go check out some of the threads on UW - some girls ARE charging per plate!

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

I was watching a talk show...not sure which one, and a couple did that. I dont think I would ever consider that. I do think hat is much. Like Sonicstef said...if they couldnt afford it, then just downsize.
I would nOT want advertisements at my wedding.

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

You have to kidding! Shamma where do you find this stuff?

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chargeing for plates?!?!? OMG....what has this wedding thing turned into? Are they charging for those that responded yes but did not show up???

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

I think Shamma was just trying to share this with us, due to the fact that it was wedding related.

I do not think any of us would do this, well not me anyway.

Thanks for always enlightening us.

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

NV: Im sure Shamma would never do this..just sharing my unsolicitied opinion.

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

Interesting story....


However,

sooooooo tacky!!! Who actually has the nerve to do that??? Some people are just weird!

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

I did not take offense to any of the comments, b/c I know I would not do this. I just had to share it with you all.

I think different strokes for different folks. I found it on the Oprah website.

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

don't worry shamma. i know you were just trying to share something. i won't crucify you.

hey, if it was someones dream to have a big wedding and they couldn't afford it, who are we to say they can't have it? sure, i wouldn't do this and i don't think i know anyone who would, but i give em kudos for making their dreams come true.

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

Shamma,

I just have to say, that I stated my opinion against that bride & groom ONLY. It had nothing to do with you. It was definately an interesting story, something I have never heard before. I was not saying anything against you. Sorry if it came off that way.

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

Why is this so tacky?? I know for a fact that there is a NY bride that was featured on Weddings of a Lifetime, and once she was chosen for the program, plenty of vendors threw free services her way just to be mentioned in the credits at the end!!!

To me, it's the same difference as the B&G subtly adding little credits here and there to their details. Or, the same as your band telling your guests their name, or posting their logo on the band display. How many favor companies put a sticker on the packaging or the bottom of the favor? I know my favor company did that, and I still had to PAY for my favors!!! So, it's the same thing, IMO. If it's done tastefully and discreetly, who are WE to say the couple shouldn't have the wedding of their dreams???

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

I say they should be rewarded for their sharp thinking! More power to them! My whole approach to my own wedding planning was 'everything is negotiable..you just have to ask!!'. This couple really believes that!!

Re: How one couple had their wedding for FREE!!!

Claude, I totally agree with you. I don't think it's that tacky at all. It would be tacky if there were ads the likes of Nascar on the brides gown, but for a note in the program, or on the menu...I think it's fine!