BellaOnline Forums Relationships Weddings Would you barter for a free wedding??

I was watching the news and saw a segment on two different couples in other parts of the U.S. that bartered with local businesses for free things at their wedding instead of having to pay for anything. They would in exchange give the vendors a thank you in their wedding program and on their wedding website they put up information about how to reach the vendor.

For one couple, their wedding bands alone which they got for free was a savings of over $1,000. They spent very little on the wedding. She bought panty hose, etc. And the wedding cost a total of $38,000. Not a penny out of their pockets.

Now here are my questions.

1. Would you ever barter or ask for freebies so you could have a free wedding.

2. What would you think if a close friend or family member did that? (One of the brides said her friends thought it was extremely tacky BUT she doesn't care because she has the wedding of her dreams.)

1- yes...definitely yes...I would (and am) try to cut corners wherever possible...even if it means i have to barter.

2- I would not think it was tacky at all...actually I think it is a smart idea. When someone has their heart set on something like that- they will go to any lengths to get it...

But with bartering don't you think that it just becomes this huge "corporate" sponsorship if you are not careful?

There's cutting corners and then there's "in your face" "Come on down to Bob's Upholstery" which I believe just makes the whole celebration a little strange for guests.