10 Steps to Help Your Bridal Event End Happily Ever After

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. Luckily your customers have you to provide them with all of their wedding needs, from accessories on the big day to that perfect Maid of Honor gift. SnapRetail is there to help YOU along the way, too! We have the tips and tools you need to make this a memorable and profitable event.

Why Host A Bridal Event? Here are a few facts on weddings:

• In the U.S., $72 billion is spent on weddings every year!
• $19 Billion a year is spent on registry gifts alone!
• According to a Bridal Guide survey, couples indicated they were most likely to acquire wardrobe and accessories for honeymoon travel.

Source:  About.com Guide

Weddings are recession-proof and a year round business!  Here are 10 steps towards a great in-store bridal event:

1. Add a Personal Touch: Select a theme that best fits your store and the products you carry. Selecting your theme will help with planning and décor.
   • Formal
   • Contemporary/Modern
   • Destination
   • Vintage
   • Local/Regional Interests – Wine Country, Coastal, Nautical
2. You’re Invited to the Event of The (Wedding) Season: Send out an email invitation that include some product shots. TrafficBuilder makes it easy with wedding-themed email templates and our library of product images from your favorite vendors!
   • Include couples, family and friends. Who knows? There may be another bride to-be in the group.
   • Create an event on Facebook and have guests RSVP. This will allow you to plan your event with more ease, give you an idea of the number attending, and reach more potential customers through your attendee’s Facebook friends.
   • Pass out invites to customers coming into the store.
3. In the Mood for Love: Set the mood in your store and give the brides-to-be and their guests the ultimate VIP treatment.
   • Have fun with it!  Encourage guests to dress in the “theme” of their wedding or wedding colors.
   • Use your merchandise! Have hors d' oeuvres served on beautiful serving trays and platters that are sold in your store.
   • Embrace DIY!  A big trend for brides is adding their own personal touch to their wedding.  Display elements like centerpieces, lighting, and other wedding details using products from your store with a DIY-twist!
4. Perfectly in Tune: Music plays an important part in weddings and will help set the mood in your store. Get inspired and listen to our Wedding songs playlist on Spotify!  Feel free to add your own wedding song favorites!
   • On Facebook, ask fans what their fave wedding reception tunes are.  Then, create your own playlist to share with customers using a popular music platform like Spotify.
5. Sips & Small Bites: Keep it light but elegant. Here’s a great opportunity to partner with a local restaurant, caterer or bakery.
   • Veggie or Fruit Trays
   • Antipasto Platters
   • Tea Sandwiches
   • Punch or Mimosa severed in Champagne glasses topped with fresh fruit.
   • Chocolate Fountain or Candy Bar
   • For Dessert, serve wedding cake or Italian pastries from a local bakery. Partner with the baker and advertise their services (they may throw in the food for a reduce cost).
6. Wedding Winning!: Offer door prizes, raffles and other giveaways to build excitement.
   • Raffle off a prize for the brides-to-be and one for the guests
     • For brides, raffle off a gift certificate or product from your store or a gift certificate to a local spa.
     • For guests, raffle off a gift certificate or product from your store, a nice candle or fragrance gift basket.
7. Pick the Perfect Partner(s): Offer as many additional resources to create a bigger draw to your event and would most likely welcome additional advertising for them.
   • Florists – May donate a nice centerpiece arrangement
   • Reception Halls – May donate some hors d’oeuvres for the day.
   • Travel Agents – May offer special honeymoon packages.
   • DJ – May offer to play the music for the day of the event.
   • Photographer – May offer their services to take photos that day.
     • Whether it’s a local photographer or someone from your store, have someone take photos of your guests.
     • Gather customer email addresses and email them a link to view the wedded bliss on Flickr, Picasa or Facebook. This is also nice way to build your email address list.
8. Promotions They’ll Love to Have and Hold:
   • Don’t forget the bride’s shopping list!  Gifts for the bridal party and parents.
   • Did you know that more than 91% of couples register for wedding gifts?
     • Becoming a bridal registry destination is not as hard as you think.  Read this article to learn the basics.
     • Create registry cards for Brides to pass along to the Maid/Matron of Honor for the shower invites.
     • Offer a post-wedding discount for any items left on their registry.
     • There are many online bridal registry software programs out there today. Google, “gift registry software” now!
9. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Special: Draw in the crowds with special guests and workshops!
   • Invite a top bridal consultant from your area give a talk on what he/she does, as well as any advice he/she can offer brides.
   • Host a workshop!  It can range from lighting ideas to arranging toss bouquets to making wedding favors.
10. Say “Yes” to Promoting the Big Day:
    • Use TrafficBuilder to send your email and post to Facebook and Twitter all at once!
    • Have staff ask customers if they are interested in your bridal event and collect emails to send them an email invite. 
    • Post event signs throughout your store prior to the event.
    • Invite local media the day of your event.
    • Notify the local newspaper, town weeklies and local radio stations by sending a press release.

Don’t forget to visit our SnapRetail Pinterest board, Wedded Bliss List, for display ideas and more inspiration for your in-store event.

As a reminder, permits and regulations may vary in your community.  Be sure to check with your state and local agencies for more information.