Sponsored marriage, how does it work?

The couple must find a maximum number of providers (caterers, decorators, dressmakers, ...) who will accept to offer their services partially or totally. In exchange, the newlyweds promise them high visibility and real publicity via their dedicated website (created for the occasion), and the expected relay of this marriage by the media. It's a true marketing logic with partnerships and product placement ! The bride and groom should therefore become real communicators, asking the partners and soliciting the media. Goal ? Create the buzz around its dedicated website! This can be time consuming and sometimes demoralizing , but if you succeed in its cost, the game is well worth the effort since you can save more than half the expenses of her wedding!

From dream to reality: the testimony of Guillaume and Marylin

This young couple tried the challenge and found sponsors for her wedding, April 23, 2011. Focus on their experience!

  • For now how much saving have you achieved with this process? How much money was raised for the organization of your wedding? Have you found a sponsor for the dress?

Marylin and Guillaume : When we embarked on this adventure, we had no precise budget to allocate to our wedding. We wanted to see as we progressed the project what we would negotiate and what would remain in our charge. We are among the very first in France to organize our sponsored wedding and it is a little "unknown" ... Almost 5 months later, we can give an estimate of about 55% saving! Of course, this percentage will be revised when everything is completed. The financial investment is close to 0 because we had the chance to meet the right people! During our prospection, we met companies, websites, etc ... who joined our project and decided to help us, for example by creating our website: www.mariagegourmand.com or by contacting us very interesting for the wedding! On the other hand, it is an enormous investment in time and in daily work to carry out the project well! Media contacts, creation of a press kit and website, which must be updated weekly. We had the chance to have several interviews on wedding websites, two radio interviews one to come, an article in the newspaper, an article in a women's magazine, a TV report with TLM and a report with France 2 which will be released on April 30 at 9:50! Then you have to get the providers together, make appointments, explain our project, negotiate ... a whole program! The creator of the wedding dress is one of the first partners we have found! And many others have followed ...

  • How many providers agreed to be the sponsors of your wedding? Who are they ?

M & G: We have 11 claimants right now, and three are talking about right now ...

- Kelly Graphic and * Imprimerie Max Perrin: Faireparts, thank you cards and marque-places

- C Bo Déco: Deco of our cocktail aperitif

- Chocolaterie Guillaume Daix: Chocolate decoration

- Marjorie de Santis: Wedding dresses

- Fairy of Effect: Deco exterior and interior of the place of reception

- Smart Shop: Groom Suit

- Aux Délices de Manon: Catering service

- Balma Venitia: Wines and aperitifs

- Animsitter: Animation for children

- Hair Creative: Coiffure

  • What was the reaction of your loved ones?

M and G : Most of them had never heard of the concept and were very surprised by our approach. But everyone has welcomed the idea with enthusiasm and we are supported by our families and friends. After having explained to them correctly what it was and how we proceeded, they all hooked and follow our adventure closely!

  • How did you come up with this idea?

M and G: We could not afford the wedding of our dreams, but we did not want to abandon our idea of ​​an original and festive wedding. While I was looking for good deals on the internet, I came across the story of Natacha and Vincent, the first French people to sponsor their wedding in 2009. I was seduced by the idea and after reflection we decided to embark on the adventure!

  • Is the process binding?

M and G: Not really. We chose the providers we met, and overall we did not have to look for multiple partners for a performance , which is a chance! The constraints are rather financial since we have a very tight budget and we have to negotiate at best, hence the choice of this sponsored wedding! But ultimately, we remain "masters" of our marriage and its organization. We find very good process exchanges with our partners . We make great encounters and it's a very rewarding human adventure!

  • How many visitors are on your site?

M & G: On average, we have about 30 visits per day, and when we have an interview, article, report or other, we triple and even exceed 100 visits per day!

  • What would you recommend as other tips to couples wanting to get married?

M and G : You have to take the time to organize a wedding that looks like you ! Do not go in different directions and get lost in the addition of unnecessary things, choose your service providers , those with whom you feel immediately confident, eject a theme and colors to facilitate everything else: decoration , menu, animations, etc. So that everything is in harmony! Do not hesitate to compare rates and benefits, to make the competition play! Finally, a golden rule to respect: keep time for the couple! Preserve romantic moments that have nothing to do with marriage, to unwind and be more effective during the year of preparations!

  • How long in advance did you have to go?

M & G: We started organizing our wedding 17 months in advance ! But on average one year is enough. We had a very special project that required a lot of media contacts, which is why we took even more time!