When wedding bells ring, it’s traditionally time for something old and something new, something borrowed and something blue. Now, some are trying something sponsored.
Newlyweds Caroline Fisher and Dave Kerpen recently exchanged vows at the Brooklyn Cyclones home game against the State College Spikes. The New York Mets minor league affiliate may have lost the game, but the couple hit a home run for their wallets.
The average wedding now bears a hefty price tag of near $30,000. And the Kerpens spared no expense -- of the advertisers'.
With their sales and marketing backgrounds and a huge guest list, the couple decided to shop their wedding around, successfully negotiating more than $100,000 worth of sponsorships. The bride and groom paid about $20,000 out of pocket.
“A ballpark has promotional inventory,” said Carrie. “So they have during, in between each inning, they have promotions that we knew that -- if we had a great idea -- we could incorporate our vendors into those promotions and therefore allow them to have part in the program.”
One of the biggest companies on the roster was 1-800 Flowers. The online flower giant not only providing the bouquets for the wedding but also sponsored a flower toss during the sixth inning.
“The idea of sponsoring a wedding is pretty novel so we loved that idea,” said Steven Jarmon a spokesman for 1-800 Flowers. “We're in the wedding business.”
Spirits juggernaut Diageo also got into the mix, shaking up a signature drink for the big day.
“You start with ¾ of an ounce of Smirnoff vanilla vodka, then add ¾ of an ounce of Smirnoff strawberry vodka and then add a dash of cranberry juice,” explained Smirnoff vice president Mark Breene.
Local sponsors also took part, providing everything from teeth whitening to the wedding gown. But the couple could not land an advertiser to foot the honeymoon bill. And as for the engagement ring?
“You know I wish I had thought of this idea before I bought the engagement ring,” said Dave. “We paid for the engagement ring but the wedding bands are sponsored.
Ahhh, getting paid to tie the knot. A dream come true.