By Buffie Baril & Kathy Green – Nashville Wraps
The wedding and bridal market is huge. Each year 2.3 million couples marry in the United States. The average cost of wedding day goods and services is $28,000, and 12% of this will be spent on Gifts & Favors.
How can your business enter this unique market? How can you expand it if you are already in it? One way businesses can benefit is by having a gift registry. Keep in mind over 70% of women have a bridal shower.
When your customers shop for the bride, they may very well find something for themselves at your shop and become a long-term customer. Your website or newspaper ads can list your registered weddings for the month. Encourage your brides to list your store in their shower invitations as well.
If you offer gift wrapping, have rolls of elegant wedding gift wrap . You may want to offer wedding gift bags for resale to customers who want to wrap their own gifts.
Another suggestion is showcasing your product at bridal fairs and shows. Booth space is usually affordable and the perfect place to meet new brides and network with other vendors. Check with your local malls and major department stores for upcoming shows.
When you partner with other vendors that sell to the bridal industry, you are working smarter rather than harder. Get to know these people and share your business card, website and even sample products or photos with them.
Wedding consultants, bridal shops, florists, bakeries, jewelry stores and photographers are often willing to share information about your business with their clients and customers if you are willing to do the same for them. It can be a win-win for all of you when you make the right connections.
As a business in the wedding industry, it is all about making the very best presentation on that special day. Nashville Wraps can help you do that by providing beautiful packaging. We carry a complete line of wedding gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper, gift boxes, organza bags, favor boxes, ribbon and tulle.
Florists – Make beautiful pew bows and bouquets using tulle and satin edge organza ribbon. Add embellishments such as flowers or a stringof small pearls.
These elegant yet affordable pew bows feature white 6″ tulle ribbon and satin edge organza ribbon. For a personalized touch, use satin ribbon with the couples names and wedding date. Nashville Wraps prints personalized ribbon typically within two weeks. These bows can be wonderful remembrance gifts for special friends and family members afterthe wedding.
Gift Shops – Offer a drawing, create a beautiful wedding gift basket filled with items from your shop. Display the gift basket prominently. Invite couples to enter for a chance to win (Save the entries for your mailing list!). Then hold the drawing for the winning bride!
Gourmet Foods– Tie your packaging with custom printed ribbon feature the couples names and wedding date. Nashville Wraps has several favor boxes to choose from including truffle boxes, Chinese take-out boxes and gourmet boxes for cookies and candies.
Jewelry boxes make great favor boxes tied with personalized ribbon. For a sit-down reception dinner, arrange the favor boxes at each place setting. Add a tag with the guest’s name and the favors double as place cards. For a less formal affair, place the favors on a tray or small table for guests to pick up as they leave the wedding or reception.
Wedding Planners – For a special thank you gift from the bride and groom, try this great favor idea. Fill colorful cello bags with chocolate covered coffee beans, tie each with a fun ribbon and a card that says “Coffee to Go! – Please take one for your trip home,” then display on a silver tray.
These designer cello bags with satin ribbon have cardboard boxi-bases that allow the cello bags to stand up. You can fill these bags with any other type of candy, nuts, or small cookies.
This same idea can be used for wedding favors at the reception by having one next to each guest’s place setting.
Many couples these days are considering earth friendly or ‘green’ weddings. Swallowtail Farms has a terrific product for guests to release orange monarch butterflies after the ceremony for a spectacular display that helps the Earth stay green. See GreenWay TM Packaging as well.
The wedding market can be an exciting and profitable addition to your business. It allows you to use your creativity and marketing savvy to the fullest. Have fun and please share your great ideas with us!
