Companies At My Wedding: Who To Invite?

It may seem unconventional, but inviting companies to your wedding is a growing trend. Couples are reaching out to brands they patronize or admire, often in the hopes of receiving free products, gift cards, or congratulatory messages. This phenomenon has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, with couples sharing their experiences and the responses they receive. While it may seem like a long shot, inviting companies to your wedding can add an element of surprise and excitement to your special day. So, if you're looking for a unique way to involve your favourite brands in your celebration, consider sending out invitations to companies!

Celebrities vs companies

While it may sound unconventional, it is not uncommon for couples to send wedding invitations to celebrities and companies. This trend has gained traction, with many couples taking to TikTok to share their experiences and the responses they received.

Celebrities

If you're considering inviting celebrities to your wedding, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, send the invitations early, giving them ample time to respond. Include the date and location of the wedding, explain your connection to the celebrity, and write a brief message about why you'd like them to be a part of your special day. Remember that celebrities have busy schedules, and they may not be able to attend, even if they want to. While it's exciting to dream of having your favourite celebrity at your wedding, the likelihood of them attending is slim, and you certainly don't want them to steal your spotlight!

Companies

Inviting companies to your wedding is a different ball game. Unlike celebrities, companies won't be sending a representative to your wedding. Instead, couples who invite companies often do so with the hope of receiving congratulatory notes, free products, or promotional items. When inviting a company, send your invitation to their public relations (PR) department, expressing why you love their brand and what their products mean to you as a couple. This approach has become a fun trend, with many couples sharing the exciting responses they've received from companies, ranging from free products to gift cards.

A Fun Distraction

Whether you choose to invite celebrities, companies, or both, this unique approach can add a fun and light-hearted element to the stressful wedding planning process. It provides an opportunity for surprises and can be a great way to connect with your favourite celebrities and brands. However, it's important to manage your expectations, as the likelihood of a celebrity attending your wedding is low, and the responses from companies may vary. Nonetheless, you might just get lucky and receive a memorable response or two!

What to include in the invitation

When inviting companies to your wedding, it is important to remember that you are not inviting individual employees or even the CEO. Instead, you are inviting the company itself, and your invitation will likely be handled by the company's public relations (PR) department. Here are some key things to include in your invitation:

A Brief Introduction:

Start by introducing yourself and your partner. Include your names, a little bit about yourselves, and perhaps a sentence or two about how you discovered or became customers of the company. For example, "Hi, we are Sarah and John, high school sweethearts who have been loyal customers of your brand for years."

The Reason for Your Invitation:

Explain why you are inviting the company to your wedding. Be honest and lighthearted, mentioning that you are aware that companies don't physically attend weddings but that you wanted to include them in your celebrations. For instance, "We know that Coca-Cola can't show up, but we wanted to include you in our special day as we adore your brand and what your products mean to us."

Your Connection to the Company:

Share your personal connection to the company and its products or services. Talk about your favourite products, how long you've been a customer, or any unique or funny stories related to your experiences with the brand. For example, "Your brand has been a constant in our lives, and we have so many fond memories associated with your products. We even had our first date at one of your stores!"

A Handwritten Note:

Consider including a handwritten note with your invitation. This adds a personal touch and shows your admiration for the brand. You could write about why you love their products, how they have made a difference in your lives, or how you feel the company has contributed to your relationship. For instance, "We wanted to let you know that your products have brought us so much joy, and we'd be honoured to have you celebrate with us, even if it's just in spirit!"

Social Media Documentation:

If you plan to document your wedding journey on social media, let the company know. Many companies appreciate the potential for user-generated content and the opportunity to be featured on your feed. This could be an added incentive for them to respond to your invitation. For example, "We'll be documenting our wedding journey on social media, and we'd love to showcase your brand and include your products in our celebrations."

Remember, when inviting companies to your wedding, the goal is often to receive a congratulatory note, free products, or swag. Keep your invitation lighthearted, fun, and focused on your appreciation for the brand. Enjoy crafting your invitations, and don't be afraid to think outside the box!

Where to send the invitations

If you're thinking of sending wedding invitations to companies, you might be wondering where exactly to send them. After all, you want to make sure your invitation ends up in the right hands and has the best chance of getting a response. Here are some tips and suggestions on where to send those invitations:

Addressing the Invitation

When addressing your invitations to companies, it's generally a good idea to send them to the attention of the public relations (PR) or marketing department. These departments are often responsible for handling external communications and are more likely to respond to your invitation. You can address the invitation to the department as a whole or try to find the contact information for a specific person within the department, such as the PR manager.

Finding Contact Information

To find the correct address and contact information for the company, you can try a few different approaches. One option is to check the company's website, as they often list contact information for their PR or marketing departments. Another option is to use a search engine to search for the company name along with keywords like "public relations contact" or "marketing contact." This should bring up relevant email addresses or physical mailing addresses. You can also try looking for the company on social media platforms, as they may list their contact information there as well.

Online Contact Forms

If you're having trouble finding specific contact information, many companies provide general "Contact Us" or "Get in Touch" forms on their websites. These forms can be used to send your invitation and message to the company. While the response rate may be lower than with direct emails or physical invitations, it's still worth trying, especially if you can't find any other contact information.

Timing

When sending your invitations to companies, it's a good idea to send them out a few months in advance, just as you would with your regular wedding invitations. This gives the companies enough time to receive and respond to your invitation. Sending them 5-6 months before your wedding is generally a good timeframe.

Following Up

If you don't hear back from a company after a few weeks, you might consider following up with them. You can try sending a friendly email or reaching out via social media to confirm that they received your invitation. However, keep in mind that companies are not obligated to respond, and some may have policies against accepting wedding invitations.

Examples of Company Addresses

• Coca-Cola c/o Public Relations, 1 Coca Cola Plz NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
• Nike c/o Public Relations, One Bowerman Dr, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA
• Microsoft c/o Public Relations, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-7329, USA

What to expect from celebrities

While it may sound like a far-fetched idea, it is not uncommon for couples to send wedding invitations to celebrities. If you're thinking of doing the same, here's what you can expect:

Responses to Invitations

Celebrities are busy people, and they may not be able to attend your wedding even if they want to. It is rare for them to attend fans' weddings, but it's not unheard of. Taylor Swift, for instance, has attended a fan's bridal shower. So, if you're thinking of inviting a celebrity, be prepared for the possibility that they may not be able to come. However, you might receive a personal response or a congratulatory note from them, which can be a fun and exciting addition to your big day.

Choosing the Right Celebrity

When choosing a celebrity to invite, consider their track record of responding to fan mail. Some celebrities are known for being more responsive to their fans, and you might have a better chance of getting a response from them. You can find lists of celebrities who are more likely to respond to fan mail, which can increase your chances of receiving a reply.

Crafting the Invitation

When sending a wedding invitation to a celebrity, it's important to send it early to allow them enough time to respond. Include the date and location of the wedding, explain your connection to them, and why you would like them to be a part of your special day. You can use a formal or more familiar tone when addressing the invitation, depending on your preference.

Celebrity Appearances

If you're looking for a celebrity performance or appearance at your wedding, you might consider hiring a talent acquisition specialist. These professionals have connections with celebrity agents and can help you book a celebrity that fits your budget and preferences. While it may be expensive, it can add a unique touch to your wedding.

Celebrity Behaviour at Weddings

Celebrities are just like anyone else when it comes to attending weddings. They might have wardrobe malfunctions, like Jennifer Lawrence, or get into arguments with their partners, like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. They might also be surprised by the guest list, like Colton Haynes, who was consoled by Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Kim Kardashian after an emotional breakdown at a star-studded wedding.

What to expect from companies

If you're thinking of inviting companies to your wedding, you're probably hoping for some kind of response or acknowledgement from them. While it's unlikely that a company representative will actually attend your wedding, there are a few things you can reasonably expect to happen if you send out those invitations.

Firstly, it's important to know that this strategy has been tried and tested by several couples, with some going viral on TikTok for their efforts. So, you can expect to add a bit of fun and excitement to your wedding planning process by giving it a go. Even if you don't receive any responses, it's a low-stakes move that might bring some levity to what can be a stressful time.

If you do receive replies, they are likely to be in the form of congratulatory notes, free products, or company swag. Some companies are known for being very responsive to fan mail, so you may get a personal response or a token gift. For example, Chick-fil-A has been known to send stuffed toys, socks, gift cards, and tote bags, while the Toronto Blue Jays sent a congratulatory letter.

To increase your chances of a response, it's a good idea to send your invitations to the company's public relations (PR) or marketing department. This is because these departments are often tasked with fostering positive relationships with the public and promoting the company's brand. You should also include a brief message explaining why you love their brand and what their products mean to you as a couple.

Lastly, while it's not guaranteed that you'll receive anything, approaching this strategy with low expectations can make any responses all the more enjoyable. So, if you have some extra invitations and want to add a unique twist to your wedding planning, inviting some companies could be a fun option.

Frequently asked questions