More couples turning to sponsors as bills for their wedding day soar

WHEN Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey were photographed on their wedding day eating a Cadbury's chocolate bar, they were ridiculed for turning their marriage into a commercial venture. But with the cost of weddings rising to astronomical levels, enterprising couples are now looking for sponsors to give them the dream day they otherwise could not afford. In return for providing the wedding dress, catering, music and photography, companies are promised publicity in the form of business cards sprinkled with confetti on tables. They will also be given a link on the couple's wedding day website and even a mention in the groom's or bride's speech. The fashion for sponsored weddings originated in America, and Christina Vincelli, a 33-year-old receptionist from Atlanta, Georgia, is currently advising British couples on how to follow the trend. She and her fiance, Jevon Gantner (24) have so far saved about pounds 10,000 by finding sponsors to provide planning, decorations, a DJ, flowers, chocolates and a cake for their 'Gone With the Wind'-themed wedding in May. With three months to go before the big day, they are still seeking sponsorship on their website for a horse and carriage, tuxedos, limos, bridesmaid dresses, gloves, hats and jewellery. Under their sponsorship contract, Miss Vincelli and Mr Gantner will include a list of sponsors with their invitations and thank-you cards to their 200 guests. They also promise to place framed business cards in front of sponsored products. The terms of the contract also stipulate that during the dinner reception the couple will give "a verbal thank-you" to all the sponsors, who will be invited to the wedding and be allowed to solicit business with discount vouchers. Miss Vincelli insists that the wedding will be a "win-win situation" for both the couple and the companies. "I really don't think it's tacky," she said. "For us it has worked out and means I can have a wedding that otherwise I wouldn't be able to have."It has been a lot of hard work. I've e-mailed about 4,500 companies and asked them for sponsorship and got about 20 positive replies. (© Daily Telegraph, London) - Nicole Martinin London