The practice of sending wedding invitations to companies to receive free gifts, coupons, or other promotional items is a well-documented trend. This method leverages brand goodwill and loyalty programmes, allowing couples to potentially receive congratulatory items from their favourite brands. The process typically involves mailing a physical wedding invitation to a company's customer service or fan mail department, often accompanied by a personal note explaining the couple's connection to the brand. While responses and gifts are not guaranteed, numerous brands have a history of acknowledging and rewarding such gestures.
The concept is straightforward: couples send their extra wedding invitations to brands they admire, hoping for a positive response. The rewards can range from discount coupons and free product vouchers to personalised merchandise and even larger gifts. This tradition adds a personal and playful element to wedding planning, creating shared experiences as couples select which brands to contact and await replies. It is a modern take on fan mail, tailored to a significant life event.
Understanding the Process and Brand Responses
The core of this practice is the physical mailing of a wedding invitation to a corporate address. The invitation is often accompanied by a note from the couple, detailing why the brand is special to them. This personal touch can increase the likelihood of a response. Brands that participate in this tradition typically have established fan mail or customer service departments that handle such correspondence.
The types of responses and gifts vary significantly by company. Some brands send standard promotional items like stickers, pins, or branded merchandise. Others may offer discount codes or vouchers for free products. In some reported cases, brands have sent more substantial gifts, such as personalised items, gift cards, or even product samples. The outcome often depends on the brand's specific promotional policies and the discretion of the employee handling the mail.
It is important to note that this is not an official programme with guaranteed results. Brands do not universally advertise this practice, and responses are discretionary. The information available is largely based on anecdotal evidence and user reports from platforms like TikTok and wedding forums. Therefore, while the practice is popular and has yielded results for many couples, there is no certainty of receiving any gift or response.
Brands Known for Responding to Wedding Invitations
Based on user reports and compiled lists from various sources, several companies are frequently mentioned as being likely to respond to wedding invitations. These brands span multiple categories, including food and beverage, technology, entertainment, and retail.
Food and Beverage Companies
Many food and beverage brands are known for their generous responses, often sending coupons or vouchers for free products.
- Chick-fil-A: This American fast-food chain is frequently cited as one of the best companies to send a wedding invitation to. Couples have reported receiving coupons for free meals or desserts, gift cards, and other treats. To increase chances, it is recommended to register for the Chick-fil-A One Rewards programme and include the member ID in the note. The corporate address for mailing is Chick-fil-A, Inc., Attn: CARES, P.O. Box 725489, Atlanta, GA 31139-9923, USA.
- Ben & Jerry’s: As an ice cream brand, Ben & Jerry’s is known for sending vouchers for free ice cream pints or discount coupons. Couples should first sign up for the "Flavor Fanatics" loyalty programme and include their account email or details in the note. The mailing address is Ben & Jerry’s, Attn: Customer Service, 530 Community Drive, Suite 1, South Burlington, VT 05403, USA.
- Crumbl Cookies: This cookie brand has been known to respond with handwritten notes and free cookie coupons. Sending the invitation to a local store or the corporate office, along with loyalty programme details, is suggested. The corporate address provided is 2570 W 600 N, Lindon, UT 84042, USA.
- Coca-Cola: While a lofty goal is having them cover soft drinks for the wedding, Coca-Cola has a history of sending out coupons for free products, personalised bottles, and other swag in response to fan mail. The mailing address is The Coca-Cola Company Consumer Information Center P.O. Box 1734, Atlanta, GA 30301, USA.
- In-N-Out Burgers: This burger brand has reportedly sent back stickers, hats, t-shirts, and gift cards. The corporate address for mailing is In-N-Out Burgers, Attn: Customer Service, 4199 Campus Drive, 9th Floor, Irvine, CA 92612, USA.
Entertainment and Technology Companies
Brands in the entertainment and technology sectors often respond with themed merchandise and memorabilia.
- Disney: A highly popular choice, especially for Disney-themed weddings. The Walt Disney Company is known for sending personalised cards from Mickey and Minnie, stickers, pins, and other magical goodies. There are two main addresses to try: The Walt Disney Company, Attn: Fan Mail Department, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521, USA, and Walt Disney World Communications, P.O. Box 10040, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830, USA.
- Nintendo: Widely considered a top choice for video game enthusiasts. In the past, Nintendo has responded to fan mail, including wedding invitations, with mini posters, which are treasured as unique wedding mementoes. The address is Nintendo of America c/o Public Relations, 4820 150th Ave, Northeast, Redmond, WA 98052, USA.
- PlayStation: One couple reported receiving a response and gifts from PlayStation, though specific details of the gifts were not provided in the source material.
- Lucasfilm: For Star Wars fans, sending an invitation to Lucasfilm can result in themed merchandise. One couple received a Star Wars-themed cookbook complete with stickers as a wedding gift. The mailing address is Lucasfilm Ltd., 1110 Gorgas Ave, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA.
Retail and Other Brands
Other types of brands, from fashion to outdoor gear, also participate in this tradition.
- Kate Spade New York: This fashion brand is known for sending lovely gifts such as personalised cards, tote bags, wallets, or even champagne glasses. The address is Kate Spade New York, Attn: Customer Service, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
- REI: The outdoor recreation goods cooperative has been listed as a company that may send free gifts. The address provided is REI, 1700 45th Street E, Suite 101, Sumner, WA, 98390, USA.
- Southwest Airlines: An airline that has been mentioned in lists of companies that may send gifts, though specific details of what they send are not provided in the source material. The address is Southwest Airlines, P.O. Box 36622, 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.
- Dallas Mavericks: For basketball fans, sending an invitation to a favourite team can yield branded goods and a celebratory letter. The address is Dallas Mavericks, 1333 N Stemmons Fwy Ste 105, Dallas, TX 75207, USA.
- The Mets: Similar to the Dallas Mavericks, a couple reported receiving gifts and responses from the New York Mets. The address is Citi Field, 41 Seaver Way, Queens, NY 11368, USA.
Maximising the Chances of a Response
While there are no guarantees, certain strategies can potentially improve the likelihood of receiving a reply or gift from a company.
- Personalise Your Note: A heartfelt, personalised note explaining your connection to the brand is more effective than a generic request. Mention specific products or memories associated with the brand.
- Join Loyalty Programmes: For brands with loyalty programmes (e.g., Chick-fil-A One, Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Fanatics), joining first and including your member ID or account email can demonstrate engagement and may boost your chances.
- Be Creative: Some of the most successful stories involve creative invitations that stand out. A well-designed invite that reflects the brand’s aesthetic can be more memorable.
- Send to the Correct Department: Addressing the invitation to "Customer Service" or "Fan Mail Department" is crucial. Sending it to a general corporate address may result in it being overlooked.
- Manage Expectations: It is important to remember that this is not a guaranteed programme. Many couples send invitations and receive no response. The practice should be viewed as a fun addition to wedding planning rather than a reliable source of freebies.
Considerations for UK Couples
The provided source material is based on American brands and addresses. UK couples interested in this practice would need to research UK-specific brands and their corresponding customer service or fan mail addresses. The principle remains the same: identify brands meaningful to you, locate their UK headquarters or customer service address, and send a personalised invitation with a note.
UK-based brands in sectors like beauty, baby care, pet products, health, food, and household goods may have similar programmes. However, without specific UK source data, it is not possible to list reliable UK companies. Couples should focus on brands they genuinely love and are willing to contact directly.
Conclusion
Sending wedding invitations to companies is a charming and potentially rewarding tradition that allows couples to connect with their favourite brands on a special occasion. While the practice is popular in the United States with numerous documented successes, it relies on brand discretion and is not a guaranteed programme. The most commonly reported rewards include coupons, vouchers for free products, branded merchandise, and personalised notes. Brands in the food, entertainment, and retail sectors are particularly noted for their positive responses.
For UK consumers, the concept is transferable, though specific brand programmes and addresses would need to be researched locally. The key to success lies in personalisation, genuine brand connection, and managing expectations. Ultimately, the practice adds a layer of fun and personalisation to wedding planning, creating unique stories and memories regardless of the outcome.