MUST READ!
We want to be as transparent as possible with our vendors, and we've found that sometimes the fun of the event can make everyone starry-eyed. The points below are aimed to properly set expectations and to set you up for as much success as possible.
The Big Fake Wedding IS NOT…
…easy. The event takes a lot of work by all involved!
The Big Fake Wedding IS...
…worth the effort. We intend for the challenge and freedom provided by the event and the Inspiration Board to be exciting and propelling.
“The inspiration boards are a creative dream; they give you direction and challenge to think to your full potential. I saw things I could do to improve upon and directions I could take my business, all from the people I met at this event.” -The Sweet Trend
The Big Fake Wedding IS NOT…
…a guarantee for bookings. While we have plenty of testimonies of vendors who book multiple couples, we also have plenty of stories of vendors who find value in the event through facets other than bookings. We are constantly looking to improve the possibility and encouragement of bookings (handing out the Vendor Guides, The Big Giveaway promotion for guests who book vendors, equipping vendors with this Vendor Handbook, etc), but we also believe that the event is worth participating in even if a booking doesn’t occur.
“Did I book weddings because of The Big Fake Wedding? Yes, but not in the ways you might expect (i.e. from the brides and grooms attending the event). I did book one wedding from a bride who came to my table and met me, but I booked another from the vendor Facebook profile picture, and another from a close friend of a vendor who was getting married, and another from a referral from a vendor.” -Kaitie, Kaitie Bryant Photography
"I've gained so much exposure from the event, and while I only booked one bride from the actual event, I've been offered opportunities, collaborated with photographers, and brought attention to my business that would have taken me forever to build." -Sarah, With Love Paper Goods
The Big Fake Wedding IS…
…a platform for exposure. Your business will be exposed to the guests through the event, the Tunnel of Love, the website and the Vendor Guide, and you will be able to have multiple “mini-consultations” with guests at the event. You’ll also be exposed to a network of like-minded wedding professionals. Vendors tell us time and time again that the vendor relationships they received from participation were the most important takeaway and that they led to a constant stream of bookings down the road!
“Having the opportunity to meet other wedding creatives, be inspired by their work, build relationships and gain invaluable networking, all at one mind blowing event, is a dream. Our participation in The Big Fake Wedding increased our exposure without a doubt, and we continue to get regular referrals from talented vendors we had the pleasure of working with at the events.” -Incer Studios
“One of the biggest gifts it also gave me was the network of vendors I still work with today nearly three years later. The whole experience has always felt like going to summer camp and playing with your friends!" -Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio
The Big Fake Wedding IS NOT…
…a product-photography shoot or a guaranteed highlight of your company on our national blog partner's site.
The Big Fake Wedding IS…
…an opportunity to get photos of your work in action. Our photographers are participating vendors as well, and they will be shooting the event live and in action. We provide them with a shot list and a Vendor Guide to give them a heads up of what/who they should shoot, but we also encourage you to build relationships and let them know what shots are important to you.
We are thrilled to partner with so many amazing national blogs (like Wedding Chicks and 100 Layer Cake just to name a few) on editorial coverage for each of our events nationwide, but since the coverage is editorial in nature, the feature content is up to the discretion of the publisher and not The Big Fake Wedding. All of the photos from the event will be submitted to the blogs for consideration, and all of the vendors will be credited and linked in the post, regardless of if a photo of their work is highlighted. Additionally, all of our vendors will be highlighted on The Big Fake Wedding's website and blog.
The Big Fake Wedding IS NOT…
…attended only by guests with rings on their fingers. While we target brides and grooms with our “bride recruiting” (targeted Facebook and SEO advertising, Golden Ticket distribution and our Brand Ambassador program), we know that brides will also attend with their entourage: their fiances, their moms, their bridesmaids, etc. We will also have some media members (bloggers, magazine editors, reporters) and often some wedding professionals attend as well, although we encourage any wedding professional to bring a bride. You can expect the guest count to be about 1/3 engaged guests, a little more than 1/3 the bride and groom entourage, and a little less than 1/3 media and wedding professionals.
The Big Fake Wedding IS…
…an opportunity to network and show off to a wide array of people. Fiances, Moms and even bridesmaids are also people who are often shopping. Further, building relationships with attending media or wedding professionals can lead to larger opportunities than just one wedding. We also aim to have a wide a array of wedding dates attend, as some vendors (photographers, vendors) are looking for brides who are newer in their engagement while other vendors (favors, jewelry) are looking for brides who are getting married sooner and have already made some decisions.
"The unique style of these events not only attracts people, but the fun atmosphere keeps people there. The idea is to make people feel like they're at an event, as opposed to your standard pushy bridal show type deal, where they feel they're being solicited to. We've had the most success with clients when we just casually talk to them about what we have going on at the event. The best part of these events is the relaxed setting which encourages conversation and dialogue between guests and vendors." -Trey, OtherBrother Entertainment