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Leading wedding site and top U.S. bridal show team up to reach engaged couples across the country
BETHESDA, MD – September 4, 2008 – WeddingWire, a leading online wedding planning resource, announced a new partnership with The Great Bridal Expo aimed at providing brides and grooms-to-be across the nation with the most complete wedding resources available.
The Great Bridal Expo's nationally sponsored tour crosses the United States, visiting major cities twice a year, reaching over 170,000 engaged couples who are in the midst of planning their big day. WeddingWire will have a presence at every stop on the circuit, demonstrating the latest technology and benefits of planning a wedding online.
"We are excited to be working with The Great Bridal Expo and their team of professionals to bring engaged couples and local wedding vendors together," said Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer of WeddingWire. "Coupled with WeddingWire's suite of planning tools and wedding vendor reviews, the expert industry knowledge available at The Great Bridal Expo will help eliminate many of the stresses involved in planning such a special event."
"WeddingWire will make a wonderful partner for The Great Bridal Expo," said Bill Heaton, President and CEO of The Great Bridal Expo. "The company's expertise in online wedding planning is unsurpassed, and we think their experts will be able to share a tremendous amount of information and knowledge to the brides and grooms who attend our show."
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 80,000 wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding venues to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.marthastewart.com. For additional information, please visit www.weddingwire.com.
About The Great Bridal Expo
The Great Bridal Expo has been serving brides and grooms around the country for over 30 years with a high-style bridal event in cities around the nation. Great Bridal Expo is the only bridal event to be named one of Tradeshow Week’s top 50 consumer shows in North America. The event occurs in large, upscale convention hotels and convention centers and features everything for the wedding, honeymoon and home. The Great Bridal Expo is sponsored nationally by WE tv, Sandals, J.C. Penney Gift Registry, David’s Bridal, Things Remembered, Pfaltzgraff, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, Cuisinart, and T-Fal. The event is sponsored regionally by local companies in each city it visits. For more information, please visit www.greatbridalexpo.com.
Brides Can Now Plan Their Entire Wedding at MarthaStewart.com
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Unveils Online Wedding Planning Tools Powered by WeddingWire to Help Create and Personalize the Big Day
NEW YORK, June 19, 2008 – Brides-to-be have long relied on Martha Stewart and her team of experts for wedding-related ideas and inspiration. Today, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) takes the wedding planning process to a new level by unveiling a robust suite of online wedding-planning tools available at marthastewart.com (www.marthastewart.com/weddings) and powered by WeddingWire (www.weddingwire.com).
The introduction of the new toolset is part of MSLO’s larger strategy to extend its wedding franchise, which includes the award-winning Martha Stewart’s Weddings magazine, extensive online content on marthastewart.com and weddings-related books such as Weddings by Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes. The Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy’s is the No. 1 brand on Macy’s bridal registry.
Now, with these free and easy-to-use tools, couples and wedding planners can turn to marthastewart.com to plan and manage their entire wedding experience from start to finish. The new tools include:
• My Budget - easily track payments and expenses • My Guests - draft or import the invite list and then track RSVPs, invitations and gifts • My Seating - build and manage the seating chart by dragging and dropping people into their chairs • My Timeline - generate a personalized timeline based on wedding date • My Checklist - manage tasks and keep track of wedding details • My Vendors - save, rate and recommend favorite vendors from the vendor search tool
These tools join an existing vendor search function that was introduced on marthastewart.com earlier this year, providing access to thousands of wedding vendors nationwide and allowing couples to easily locate vendors in their geographic area.
“We’re thrilled to be providing access to such a rich array of wedding-planning tools. This new offering provides a seamless experience, making us even more attractive to brides, grooms, wedding planners and marketers. It also strengthens our position in the space as we grow our Weddings franchise online and in print,” stated Wenda Harris Millard, MSLO Co-CEO and President of Media. “WeddingWire’s expertise will also enable us to offer similar tools and features across our Internet sites.”
The introduction of the wedding-planning toolset is the result of MSLO’s investment in WeddingWire, a localized wedding platform that combines an online marketplace with planning tools and a social community, announced in February 2008.
“Our collaboration with MSLO is off to a strong start. Together we have created an unparalleled offering that benefits our rapidly expanding community of local wedding vendors, and engaged couples, who can now access these cutting-edge tools on marthastewart.com,” said Timothy Chi, Chief Executive Officer of WeddingWire.
Marthastewart.com/weddings is an ideal destination for couples preparing for their nuptials. In addition to the new planning tools, brides-to-be can access creative ideas from the award-winning Martha Stewart’s Weddings magazine, gain expertise at the “Brides Guide” blog written by Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller, view photo galleries ranging from vibrant floral centerpieces to stunning gowns, watch wedding segments from The Martha Stewart Show, browse decorations and favors from Martha Stewarts Crafts or view registry items from the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy’s.
Additionally, Hilton Family e-Events has signed on as a charter sponsor of www.marthastewart.com/weddings. The Hilton Family will be promoting their e-Events booking tools that allow users to book group accommodations to their family of brands and U.S. hotel locations.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses four magazines, including the company’s flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues and books. The marthastewart.com website provides consumers with instant access to MSLO’s multimedia library, search and find capabilities, recipes, online workshops, community and personalization, as well as wedding-planning tools powered by WeddingWire. The Broadcasting segment produces such programming as the Emmy-winning daily, nationally syndicated television series, “The Martha Stewart Show,” and Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers high-quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected companies, including the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy’s, Martha Stewart Everyday at Kmart, Martha Stewart Crafts with EK Success, Martha Stewart for 1-800-Flowers.com and a co-branded food line with Costco. In April 2008, Emeril Lagasse joined the Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to Lagasse’s media and merchandising business, including television programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen and food products. For additional information about MSLO, visit www.marthastewart.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 50,000 wedding vendors nationwide. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. For additional information, please visit www.weddingwire.com.
MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA ENTERS TRANSACTIONS WITH WEDDINGWIRE
MSLO Expands its Weddings Franchise by Taking 40 Percent Stake, Signing Commercial Agreement with Online Wedding Planning Company
NEW YORK, February 19, 2008 -- Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) today announced a series of transactions with WeddingWire (www.weddingwire.com), a localized wedding platform that combines an online marketplace with planning tools and a social community. The deal is part of MSLO’s strategy to accelerate its digital footprint and expand its Weddings franchise online and in print. It includes the acquisition of approximately 40 percent of the equity in WeddingWire and a commercial agreement related to software and content licensing and media sales.
WeddingWire was created by a team of entrepreneurs, including two founding members of Blackboard Inc, to provide engaged couples with comprehensive vendor search and easy-to-use online planning and community tools. The platform’s SmartMatch™ technology allows brides and grooms to find, research, and receive quick price quotes from vendors in their area, saving couples time, energy and money. WeddingWire offers a range of additional applications, including tools for creating a wedding website, managing budgets, guest lists, and seating charts. It also features social networking and user-generated content tools to help couples make better, more informed decisions.
“Today’s couples devote a tremendous amount of time, energy and resources to creating their perfect day. The level of intensity they bring to the process presents a highly attractive opportunity for both MSLO and our Weddings franchise,” said Susan Lyne, President and Chief Executive Officer of MSLO. “With this investment, brides who rely on our content for wedding-related inspiration and ideas will be able to plan, manage and share every step of the process. The WeddingWire team has created a seamless experience for engaged couples and a great platform for marketers that will significantly strengthen our position in this space.”
As part of the investment agreement, MSLO and WeddingWire signed a commercial agreement through which WeddingWire will offer its proprietary tools on the Weddings section of marthastewart.com, allowing users ready access to a vast network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools. MSLO may also integrate similar tools using WeddingWire’s technology across its other content verticals. WeddingWire’s main web property, www.weddingwire.com, will receive Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia content, which will include integrated links to drive traffic to marthastewart.com. In addition, WeddingWire has designated MSLO as its exclusive national advertising sales force for the duration of the agreement, and the two companies will share the advertising revenues sold on the site.
“By investing in WeddingWire, we are assembling a robust online offering with a proven toolset to enhance our digital Weddings content and complement what is already the category’s premier print magazine,” said Wenda Harris Millard, President, Media, MSLO. “We are impressed by WeddingWire’s superior online platform and see great opportunities to leverage its expertise across our Internet sites and bring similar tools and features to our other lifestyle content verticals. This is also a tremendous opportunity for our advertisers to reach couples engaged in the process of planning their wedding.”
“This is an ideal partnership that will bring real value to engaged couples and wedding vendors alike. MSLO’s commitment to excellence in the weddings category, when paired with our suite of innovative wedding planning tools, creates an unrivaled offering for engaged couples everywhere,” said Timothy Chi, Chief Executive Officer of WeddingWire. “MSLO’s breadth and reach will also greatly benefit our fast-growing community of local wedding vendors by expanding the distribution network that WeddingWire currently provides.”
MSLO led this Series A investment round, which includes existing WeddingWire investors. The funding from the round will be used to develop new technologies and increase reach nationwide. As part of MSLO’s investment, Ms. Millard and MSLO CIO Mike Plonski will join WeddingWire’s board of directors.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompasses four magazines, including the company's flagship publication, Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues and books. The marthastewart.com website provides consumers with instant access to MSLO's multimedia library, search and find capabilities, and more. The Broadcasting division produces the Emmy-winning daily, national syndicated program, “The Martha Stewart Show,” “Everyday Food,” “Everyday Baking from Everyday Food” and Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers beautiful, practical and superior quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with carefully selected companies. For additional information, visit www.marthastewart.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 30,000 wedding vendors nationwide. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. For additional information, please visit www.weddingwire.com.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Estroff, SVP, Corporate Communications,
1-212-827-8281, eestroff@marthastewart.com
Web site: http://www.marthastewart.com http://www.marthastewart.com/ir
LAS VEGAS, NV – January 25, 2008 – WeddingWire, an online platform designed to simplify wedding planning, has quickly become a top online wedding destinations for Nevada brides and grooms. The company will launch its cutting-edge services to thousands of brides this weekend at the Bridal Spectacular®, which will be held at the Cashman Convention Center in Las Vegas.
WeddingWire offers unrivaled planning tools that enable engaged couples to save time and money planning their dream wedding, while working with wedding vendors that share their vision of a distinctive celebration. These planning tools are free of charge and allow couples to:
- Plan: Find thousands of wedding vendors throughout Las Vegas and Nevada, compare real reviews from newlyweds, and get multiple estimates directly from vendors.
- Share: Get wedding ideas and advice from wedding experts, chat with local southern California brides, and share your suggestions for wedding songs and wedding music.
- Organize: Get free wedding planning tools, including checklist, timeline, guest list and seating management, build your free wedding website, and manage your budget.
"Finding WeddingWire was a saving grace for my fiancé and me," said recently married Stephanie Silverman. "For us, the excitement of getting married was being lost on the enormity of planning this single day. WeddingWire helped us streamline the process, allowed us to find the perfect bridal vendors and realize our dream wedding without breaking the bank, and did so for no cost. Even sites that charge a fee don't offer as many resources as WeddingWire."
WeddingWire's online offering is currently available at www.weddingwire.com. For information about the Bridal Spectacular®, please visit www.bridalspectacular.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is a leading wedding planning resource that allows engaged couples to search over 30,000 wedding vendors, compare detailed ratings & reviews, and get estimates online. In addition, the site offers local events, an online community, easy-to-use planning tools, and wedding websites, all at no charge. For more information on WeddingWire, please visit www.weddingwire.com
Media Contact:
Sonny Ganguly press@weddingwire.com
New Online Wedding Destination Hits the West Coast
WeddingWire officially arrives in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA – January 18, 2008 – WeddingWire, an online platform designed to simplify wedding planning, has quickly become one of the top online wedding destinations for Southern California brides and grooms. The company will launch its cutting-edge services to thousands of brides this weekend at a bridal show in the Los Angeles Convention Center.
WeddingWire offers unrivaled planning tools that enable engaged couples to save time and money planning their dream wedding, while working with wedding vendors that share their vision of a distinctive celebration. These planning tools are free of charge and allow couples to:
- Plan: Find thousands of wedding vendors throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, compare real reviews from newlyweds, and get multiple estimates directly from vendors.
- Share: Get wedding ideas and advice from wedding experts, chat with local southern California brides, and share your suggestions for wedding songs and wedding music.
- Organize: Get free wedding planning tools, including checklist, timeline, guest list and seating management, build your free wedding website, and manage your budget.
"Finding WeddingWire was a saving grace for my fiancé and me," said recently married Stephanie Silverman. "For us, the excitement of getting married was being lost on the enormity of planning this single day. WeddingWire helped us streamline the process, allowed us to find the perfect bridal vendors and realize our dream wedding without breaking the bank, and did so for no cost. Even sites that charge a fee don’t offer as many resources as WeddingWire."
WeddingWire's online offering is currently available at www.weddingwire.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is a leading wedding planning resource that allows engaged couples to search over 30,000 wedding vendors, compare detailed ratings & reviews, and get estimates online. In addition, the site offers local events, an online community, easy-to-use planning tools, and wedding websites, all at no charge. For more information on WeddingWire, please visit www.weddingwire.com
Media Contact:
Sonny Ganguly press@weddingwire.com
Filene’s Basement Holds its Famous "Running of the Brides" Sale in Towson on July 13, 2007
TOWSON, M.D. – July 6, 2007 – The annual "Running of the Brides" takes place this year on Friday, July 13 at Filene's Basement in Towson. Hundreds of brides-to-be and their helpers are expected to be at the Towson Place store when the doors open at 8:00am.
The sale is wildly popular among brides because the savings are so great. Over fifteen hundred designer and famous-name wedding gowns will be priced at $249, $499 and $699. In bridal salons these dresses would cost between $900 and $9,000.
The gowns come from both American and European manufacturers and from bridal shops. "We promise our vendors that we won't reveal the labels, but I can say that these are well known names featured regularly on the pages of popular brides’ magazines,” said Anna Podore, the Basement's wedding gown buyer. The assortment represents both contemporary and traditional styles in a variety of fabrics. Sizes range from 4 to 24.
Filene's Basement's Bridal Gown Sale is often referred to as the "running of the brides," because it reminds people of the famous "running of the bulls" in Pamplona. Lines begin to form outside the store as early as 3:00am. When the doors open at 8:00am, the brides-to-be and their helpers run full speed towards the racks. In less than 60 seconds, the racks are stripped bare (store employees have to hold on to the fixtures so they don’t topple). Shoppers grab as many gowns as their arms can hold, haul them off to a corner, peel off a layer or two of clothing and start the “trying on” process. Not long after, the trading begins. Every dress, no matter what size, style or color, gets bartered for another, as each bride tries to find the gown of her dreams at a cut-rate price.
Filene's Basement in Towson will open early for the sale at 8:00am and close at 9:30pm. Checks, credit cards and cash are accepted. For more information go to www.filenesbasement.com and click on "Bridal Event."
Want to "Skip the Line" at the Running of the Brides in Towson?
WeddingWire, one of the leading bridal resource centers on the web, has VIP passes to the "Running of the Brides" that will give a handful
of brides-to-be a head start on their shopping. Three lucky winners will be let into Filene's Basement at 7:00am for an hour of
private shopping before the doors open to the public at 8:00am. Look for details at http://filenes.weddingwire.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sarah Hawley
Mockingbird PR
480-558-4181 sarah@mockingbirdpr.com
WeddingWire Forecasts 2008 Wedding Trends
Company shares information about long and short term bridal trends in order to ease planning process
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 24, 2007 – Further demonstrating itself as a thought leader, WeddingWire Inc, an online platform designed to simplify wedding planning for engaged couples and wedding vendors, has identified a number of trends slated to significantly impact weddings currently being planned for Summer 2008, in addition to those embraced by couples marrying in the near-term.
"Today's wedding takes 12 to 14 months to plan, so couples need to be proactive about understanding next year's trends," said Timothy Chi, CEO at WeddingWire. "WeddingWire works closely with every bridal category and is well equipped to share what is currently happening or is on the cusp of the market. We know that couples want to plan personalized nuptials and our aim is to share information to help them meet that goal with flair."
In addition to three major trends that will affect both engaged couples and wedding vendors over the next 12 – 24 months, WeddingWire also recognized trends having an immediate impact on the bridal industry. According to WeddingWire, the market is seeing an evolution in bridal registries whereby engaged couples use their registries to establish honeymoon funds or even to contribute to their favorite charities. Additionally, some brides-to-be are expressing their independence by not only choosing their own engagement rings, but in some cases by purchasing the ring themselves. And in a significant shift, modern brides are embracing a 'live in the moment' attitude and are opting not to seal their wedding gowns after the ceremony. Instead, they are taking deconstructed photos wearing their gowns in the ocean, climbing a tree or even doing menial tasks like washing the car or mowing the lawn.
Planning longer term, WeddingWire anticipates the following three trends to impact the bridal industry over the next one to two years:
-Green Weddings – couples will further embrace environmentally responsible products and practices for their weddings and receptions. And while some couples will go completely green, others will implement small changes such as locally grown produce, flowers and meat, use of recycled paper for everything from invitations to place cards, and inviting fewer guests to limit the use of non-green materials;
-Destination Weddings – always popular in tropical or exotic locales, this trend will grow dramatically in Europe where celebrity marriages like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes or Eva Longoria and Tony Parker have created a frenzy. This focus on European destination weddings means that couples now have a better understanding of how to plan their weddings overseas and even have access to European products now being marketed in the United States;
-Wedding Cakes Disappear – the old custom of a tiered, butter cream frosted cake is a yesterday tradition. Forward thinking couples still want to satisfy their sweet tooth, but are choosing to do so in more unique ways. Cupcakes, cookies and even ice cream cakes are a more unique and easily personalized choice that many 2008 couples will lean toward.
"Through our vendor relationships and robust community network, WeddingWire has access to the people and companies starting these trends," continued Chi. "Planning a wedding should be joyous, not stressful. So, by sharing what we know, we hope to further advance our mission of making the planning process as simple as possible for engaged couples."
Created by the co-founders of Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), WeddingWire offers engaged couples unrivaled planning tools that enable pairs to save time and money planning their dream wedding, while working with vendors that share their vision of a distinctive celebration. For vendors, WeddingWire puts companies online where today's savvy engaged couples are planning their weddings. For both, WeddingWire offers its services free of charge. For more information on WeddingWire, please visit www.weddingwire.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
In the $50 billion annual wedding industry, WeddingWire is the only company that allows engaged couples and vendors to work in concert to produce distinctive, heart-felt nuptials while alleviating the pain points felt by both parties. For engaged couples, WeddingWire’s unrivaled planning efficiencies are a tremendous value, saving time and money, and online social networking satisfies an emotional need to connect with other couples also planning their big days. On the vendor side, WeddingWire enables business owners to market themselves over the internet for no cost and guaranteed ROI, and creates the only market opportunity that gives vendors control over their budget, service reviews, lead generation and performance. For both, WeddingWire creates a win/win opportunity – it allows couples and vendors alike to seek out the people they want to collaborate with in order to design a beautiful, original and moving day that is the start of a new life as one.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sarah Hawley
Mockingbird PR
480-558-4181 sarah@mockingbirdpr.com
WeddingWire Unveils Online Service that Transforms Personal Wedding Planning
Introduces market's only offering that eases pain points for both engaged couples and bridal vendors at no cost to either
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 1, 2007 – WeddingWire, an online platform designed to simplify wedding planning for engaged couples and wedding vendors, announced its public launch today. In the $50 billion annual US wedding industry, WeddingWire is the only company that enables engaged couples and wedding vendors to work in concert to produce distinctive, heart-felt nuptials while alleviating the pain points felt by both parties. WeddingWire's online offering is available immediately across the United States at www.weddingwire.com.
For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers unrivaled planning tools that enable pairs to save time and money planning their dream wedding, while working with vendors that share their vision of a distinctive celebration. These planning tools are free of charge to engaged couples and include:
- The industry’s first map-based vendor catalog that permits quick and easy vendor searches based on geography, category and customer ratings;
- The market’s only collaborative comparison shopping tool, SmartMatch™, which provides couples a single-point for requesting and receiving vendor estimates. Instead of making appointments and driving across town, engaged couples can now receive multiple estimates for wedding services with the click of a button;
- The most complete and accurate vendor rating system in the industry. Newlywed-written vendor ratings and reviews empower engaged couples to select the best and brightest partners for planning their special days. WeddingWire’s vendor reviews cover the five most important areas for choosing a vendor, from quality of service to flexibility, and help ensure the best investment and end result for couples;
- Best-of-breed project management tools for overseeing every aspect of the monumental planning process. In addition to traditional planning tools like guest list management and budget tracking, WeddingWire has introduced a number of innovative tools at no cost such as drag-and-drop seating charts and robust wedding websites; and
- Social networking that connects enthusiastic engaged couples so idea sharing and friendships can flourish over the shared excitement of their impending nuptials.
"Finding WeddingWire has been a saving grace for my fiancé and me," said Stephanie Silverman of Arlington, Virginia. "For us, the excitement of getting married was being lost on the enormity of planning this single day. WeddingWire has helped us streamline the process, allowed us to find the perfect bridal vendors that can help us realize our dream wedding without breaking the bank, and has done so for no cost. Even sites that charge a fee don't offer as many resources as WeddingWire."
For vendors and for no charge, WeddingWire puts companies online where today’s savvy engaged couples are planning their nuptials. WeddingWire helps vendors meet and work with couples who appreciate their discriminating tastes and grow their business without the risk of high-costs or low return on investment; vendors pay nothing until they are successfully matched with a couple. WeddingWire offers vendors:
-A no cost Internet storefront that enables vendors to create an online presence complete with a business profile, portfolio images or videos and more. Businesses can use this profile as their corporate website or can link back to their own homepage;
-The wedding industry’s only opportunity for vendors to respond to newlywed-written ratings and reviews of their products and services. This ‘checks-and-balances’ measure ensures that wedding vendors are fairly represented in the platform’s full-bodied ratings and reviews section; and
-Peer networking opportunities so vendors can co-market services, recommend other companies, and even provide testimonials for companies they have worked with in the past.
"Until now, no solution has taken into consideration the needs of both engaged couples and bridal vendors during the wedding planning process,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire co-founder and CEO. “WeddingWire offers tangible value to both of these audiences with an innovative and technically advanced offering that ensures that engaged couples and wedding vendors connect with no risk to either party. Our goal is to take the pain out of wedding planning and to ensure the couples work with their ideal partners.”
WeddingWire is led by an experienced team of entrepreneurs, technologists, and marketers. The management's background includes founding members of Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), a successful startup employing over 600 people with a market capitalization of over $900MM, technology talent that has implemented systems for Intel, Fannie Mae, and AT&T, sales and marketing veterans who have managed global sales forces and national consumer brands, and industry experts from within the wedding industry.
For more information on WeddingWire, please visit www.weddingwire.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
In the $50 billion annual wedding industry, WeddingWire is the only company that allows engaged couples and vendors to work in concert to produce distinctive, heart-felt nuptials while alleviating the pain points felt by both parties. For engaged couples, WeddingWire’s unrivaled planning efficiencies are a tremendous value, saving time and money, and online social networking satisfies an emotional need to connect with other couples also planning their big days. On the vendor side, WeddingWire enables business owners to market themselves over the internet for no cost and guaranteed ROI, and creates the only market opportunity that gives vendors control over their budget, service reviews, lead generation and performance. For both, WeddingWire creates a win/win opportunity – it allows couples and vendors alike to seek out the people they want to collaborate with in order to design a beautiful, original and moving day that is the start of a new life as one.
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In the News
SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 WeddingWire featured on Wedding Podcast Network Brian and Megan join us from WeddingWire, one of our favorite wedding websites. WeddingWire provides productive channels for engaged couples and vendors to interact with each other so you can find the people you want to collaborate with. They talk about the unique aspects of their ratings and review system to help make the planning process easier. Listen to Podcast
AUGUST 1, 2008 When Bridal Parties Attack! What do you call 700 sleepless, crazed people that will do anything to satisfy the hunger of the one true beast of humanity? You call it Filene's Basement's RUNNING OF THE BRIDES! WeddingWire and Hot 99.5 were handing out gift cards for FREE DRESSES! View Video
JULY 16, 2008 Couples plan weddings with click of a mouse Susan and Mark Golebiowski found love on an Internet dating site, so it was only appropriate that when the couple started planning their June wedding they turned to the Web... View Article
JULY 9, 2008
DIY Bride names WeddingWire #1 in Online Planning Tools View Article
JULY 7, 2008
Arizona Bride Magazine awards WeddingWire "Best of 2008" award in the category for "Best Local Planning Website" View Website
MAY 28, 2008
CNBC: Martha Stewart on CNBC talks about WeddingWire View Video
MAY 22, 2008
WashingtonPost.com: Growth Built On Cupcakes, Weddings View Article
MAY 19, 2008
Bisnow: 35 UNDER 35 Top Entrepreneurs of the Washington Region View Article
FEB 22, 2008
VentureBeat: MSLO makes investment in WeddingWire View Article
FEB 22, 2008
Internet Retailer: Martha Stewart expands online in deal with wedding marketplace View Article
FEB 21, 2008
Mashable: Martha Stewart Takes 40% of Niche Wedding Site: WeddingWire View Article
FEB 19, 2008
Houston Chronicle: Martha Stewart Buys Into Wedding Site View Article
FEB 19, 2008
Washington Business Journal: Martha Stewart Living takes stake in WeddingWire View Article
FEB 19, 2008
Digital MediaWire: Martha Stewart Living Buys 40% Stake in WeddingWire View Article
FEB 19, 2008
CNN Money: Martha Stewart takes 40% stake in WeddingWire View Article
AUG 14, 2007
Marketwatch: WeddingWire.com and BabySitters.com Enter Into Strategic Partnership
WeddingWire Inc, an online platform designed to simplify wedding planning for engaged couples and wedding vendors, and BabySitters.com, an Internet-based company that matches parents with qualified child care resources, today announced the two companies have entered into a strategic partnership.
JULY 25, 2007
DC Examiner: WeddingWire aims to lower stress level of tech-savvy brides View Article
JULY 24, 2007
Forbes.com: WeddingWire Forecasts 2008 Wedding Trends
Further demonstrating itself as a thought leader, WeddingWire, an online platform designed to simplify wedding planning for engaged couples and wedding vendors, has identified a number of trends slated to significantly impact weddings currently being planned for Summer 2008.
JULY 20, 2007
DC North: New Web site eases pain of wedding planning View Article
JULY 13, 2007
CBS Baltimore: Filene's Basement "Running Of The Brides". WeddingWire's Laura Auer at the Towson, MD event. View Article
In partnership with Filene's Basement, WeddingWire gave away three (3) "Skip-The-Line" passes that entitled the winners to enter the store 1 hour early
to dress shop before the general public was allowed in!
More coverage of the event
JUNE 27, 2007
WUSA9: WeddingWire's Laura Auer comments on Ring Assertives View Article
JUNE 7, 2007
NBC4: Coverage of the WeddingWire Launch Party
View Article
MAY 1, 2007
Yahoo Finance: WeddingWire Unveils Online Service that Transforms Personal Wedding Planning
In the $50 billion annual US wedding industry, WeddingWire is the only company that enables engaged couples and wedding vendors to work in concert to produce distinctive, heart-felt nuptials while alleviating the pain points felt by both parties.
MAY 1, 2007
Digital Trends: WeddingWire includes everything from map-based vendor catalogs to drag-and-drop guest seating for the big day. Get ready to get spendy.
http://news.digitaltrends.com/article12865.html
APRIL 21, 2007
WeddingWire was featured on the Denver ABC 7 News. The segment focused on WeddingWire's launch in the local Denver market.
FEB 5, 2007
WeddingWire was featured on the Fox Morning News in Baltimore. The segment focused on how WeddingWire is taking the stress out of wedding planning.
FEB 2007
WeddingWire is featured in Washington Life Magazine.
On The Town
SEPT 2008 The Wedding MBA Location: Phoenix, AZ Presenter: Timothy Chi, CEO and Sonny Ganguly, CMO, WeddingWire Inc Topic:Reaching Today's Wired Bride On the Web:http://www.weddingmba.com
MAY 2008 Bridal Show Producers International (BSPi) Annual Conference Location: Denver, CO Presenter: Timothy Chi, CEO and Sonny Ganguly, CMO, WeddingWire Inc Topic 1: What's New on the Net Topic 2: Reach Today’s Wired Bride On the Web:http://www.bspishows.com
APRIL 2008 Association of Wedding Professionals (AWP) Location: Tysons Corner, VA Presenter: Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer, WeddingWire Inc Topic: How to Reach Brides in Today’s Market On the Web:http://www.weddingprofessionals.org
NOVEMBER 2007 International Society for Event Specialists (ISES) - Philadelphia Chapter Location:Philidelphia, PA Presenter: Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer, WeddingWire Inc Topic: Reaching Today's Bride On the Web:http://www.isesphila.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=6
SEPTEMBER 2007 Ladies Night Out – Presented by WeddingWire Location:Washington, DC Details: WeddingWire was the official sponsor for Ladies Night Out with the Washington Nationals on September 20, 2007 On the Web:http://diningout.meetup.com/276/calendar/6308278
SEPTEMBER 2007 International Society for Event Specialists (ISES) - Hampton Roads Chapter Location:Portsmouth, Virginia Presenter: Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer, WeddingWire Inc Topic: 12 Ways to Reach Your Customers for Free On the Web:http://www.iseshamptonroads.com/home.html
JUNE 2007 Internation Society for Event Specialists (ISES) - DC Chapter Location:Arlington, Virginia Presenter: Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer, WeddingWire Inc Topic: 10 Ways to Build Your Brand Equity On the Web:http://www.dcises.org/2007_June_Cocktail.shtml
MAY 2007 Association of Bridal Consultants - DC Chapter Presenter: Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer, WeddingWire Inc Topic: Reaching Brides for Free
MAY 2007 Bridal Show Producers International Annual Conference Location: Montreal, Quebec Presenters: Timothy Chi, CEO and Sonny Ganguly, CMO, WeddingWire Inc Topic 1: Getting More Mileage From The Internet Topic 2: 20 Ways to Reach Today's Bride On the Web:http://www.bspishows.com