So I'll be doing my second show this Saturday. I'll be sharing a booth with my sister's equipment rental company.

We are thinking of maybe having some sort of raffle/drawing. We haven't decided.

Have any of you guys had bridal show raffles? How did it go? What did you raffle?

Here are some of my ideas:

We could have two raffles - one from and one for me. Something like a gift certificate for 15-20% off an order.

OR

We could even just have a raffle for an instant giveaway - like a DVD player (you can buy them for like $30 nowadays) or something like that. (A digital photo frame would be cool if we could find a cheap one).

OR

We could even do a gift basket - like a 10% coupon from each of us, some wedding/quinceanera-related music CD, a disponsible camera, and then maybe a t-shirt that has both of our names/info on it.

I think a raffle could be a good idea, but in my opinion, a coupon for a discount off an order isn't a prize to me. That means I still have to buy something from you so really it's just a coupon. That's just my opinion though

I love knowing others opinions!

I think I'm kind-of liking the gift basket idea best - it'll be goodies, but the coupons.

How about a fee bridal shower or grooms cake up to a certain value like $50.

Tell me tho... from a business perspective, what is the POINT of the raffle?

From a marketing prospective, people would sign-in more willinging thus expanding your email/mailing list so you can continue to market to them - for this event and others (birthdays, etc...).

Also, coupons/gift certificates usually pay for themselves because either people will go over the amount of the GC, recommendations, whatever

Also, who doesn't want to win something? Once you have them hooked on the possibility to win something, you talk up your product and sell it! That person may not have gone to you in the first place if they didn't think they were going to get something.

and, it helps create a buzz about your name/business. Just another way to promote yourself.

I would avoid using a 'coupon' for a percentage off with an upper limit. Instead I would do a set price gift certificate, $50 or whatever you are confortable with. A person should be able to order a small birthday cake with that or put it towards a wedding/quin cake.

I think it is better for you and your sister to EACH have a draw - people always prefer two grand prizes rather than one.

And is you go with the gift basket idea please think about what you are putting in there. A t-shirt with your info on it is probably a big waste of money - no 13 year old girl would wear it. No one would wear it. I like useful things or stuff that would get me excited about the event - like a movie.

I might even do two baskets

Quin theme - $50 Gift certificate, related movie, 1/2 dozen cupcakes, princessy pj's...

Bridal theme - $50 gift certificate, related movie (ex. wedding planner), 1/2 doz cupcakes, bridal magazine (especially one with great cakes) mini manicure/pedicure set...

dinas27, those are great ideas! Thanks!

I like the idea of including magazines. I know I can find a wedding one, I would have to look around for a quince one.

i did our bridal show this past sunday and the organizer wanted door prizes. this year she specifically asked for actual things and not percent off coupons. last year i gave a cake serving set, this year i did a candy barrel cake and had it on display with my other cakes in a glass covered cake stand, everyone wanted it, especially when they found out it was the door prize and real cake. i just did an 8" round, it took 9 1/2 kitkats BTW. and luckily i had picked up some valentine M&Ms

A raffle is something that people pay money to enter in the hope of winning a prize. Some states call this gambling so there may be laws pertaining to how a raffle is run.

A door prize is something that people just drop their name in a hat in the hope of winning a prize. no money exchanges hands for the chance to win a prize.

Careful how you phrase it.

I also do not like "winning" the opportunity to spend money. I detest the fast food games where I win the opportunity to spent a dollar to buy a large fry so I can save a quarter. I'm still out 75 cents.

Thank you for the input! It's great! I think we have kind-of decided on a door prize, - a basket w/different goodies and such in it. I'll see how we word gift certificate so it's fair for everyone!

Thanks again!!

I'll be sure to post pics of the booth

There is quince magazine. It comes out 2x a year & we find it at Wal-Mart's magazine section. I think it's called "Quince Girl" & you can also order it on line at their site quincegirl.com. My daughter's quince is next year. Good luck!

Now I'm eating my own words. Tonight I was invited to participate in a small bridal show. The participating vendors and brides are by invitation only...one vendor per category, and there won't be any competition. No charge for the booth, but all participating vendors must provide a door prize at the end of the show instead. I'm at a loss as to what to provide. Any more suggestions?

I usually donate a cookie bouquet. Shows I've been in ask for a $25-$30 value'd item, so a 3-4 cookie bouquet usually covers it!

I usually put an 8" cake for any occasion up as my door prize fir shows. They can take it as is or apply it to a bigger cake. It's an easy small cake and usually they will add servings or even apply it to their wedding cake.