The AP Team has been chatting with more and more wedding and event professionals across the country who're looking for ways to take their game to the next level. One great way to set yourself apart is by sending your new clients a fantastic welcome gift to thank them for choosing you to be a part of creating their special day. Let's face it, the wedding market is getting more and more competitive, and sealing the deal is getting harder to do. A special thank you gift can start the relationship off on a high note, create a buzz, and get the couple talking about your business to their newly engaged friends.
A very determined wedding planner was being considered by an out-of-town couple they really wanted to work with. However, the couple was also considering a few others. The planner dipped into their bank of industry contacts to find a great florist in the city where the bride lived. They ordered a hand-tied wedding bouquet incorporating her favorite flowers and had it delivered to her office when she returned to work. It created such a buzz in the office of the advertising company she worked for that she called and booked the planner within minutes!
We admit flowers can be a great idea, but sometimes you need something with a little more thought put into it, personalizing it to the couple or event. Nowadays we're seeing dozens of companies offering curated gifts in a variety of price ranges. Here are a few we hear some chatter about:
LUX BOX Company
Boston-based company LUX BOX was started in 2016 by a mother-daughter trio with a love for beautifully curated things. Their backgrounds in business, interior, fashion, and graphic design help them create beautiful gift collections. Their ready-made shop offers a large selection with many gifts in the $40-$70 range. They also offer custom gifts that start with a simple questionnaire to help them customize the gift based on your vision. They offer hand delivery in Boston or will ship to any location across the country.
Mint-Lavender
"Making Gifting Effortless" – The trio of Blair, Sandra, and Mark wanted to make thoughtful gifts that could be selected from an easy-to-use digital platform. "In wanting to send friends a thoughtful gift across the country, we saw that there were gift options out there that simply didn't seem personal and thoughtful enough." Many of the curated gifts in Mint-Lavender's wedding collection are offered in a $50 -$130 price range. Their corporate concierge program works with companies of all sizes to create custom and unique gifts that show gratitude for any occasion.
Greetabl
"More than a card, more personal than flowers" – In a few clicks, Greetabl helps you turn your photos into a greeting card that doubles as a gift box. Select from gift cards, chocolates, and more to complete your perfect gift in just three simple steps!
- Select a box from a selection of patterns (about $10).
- Choose a gift (ranging from about $5-$20).
- Personalize the packaging by uploading your own photos and adding a personal message.
BOXFOX
BOXFOX was started in 2014 by three friends, Chelsea, Jenni, and Sabena, who were looking for a gift to send a close friend who was sick. They wanted something more than flowers that wasn't an overpriced gift basket and found nothing out there. They wanted to "bring gifting into the 21st century – creating stronger relationships through personal gifts, powered by the simplest user experience." Their online 'Build A BOXFOX' is a multi-step process where the sender selects a box (about $7.00), then chooses a gift (many in a $5-$25 range) and then picks a card, which a team member then hand writes. They also offer a corporate gifting program that's available by scheduling a simple call to help customize your gift.
Marigold & Grey
"Artisan Gifting for Modern Life" – Marigold & Grey was founded by Jamie Kutchman Wayne who struggled to find unique welcome gifts for her own 2012 destination wedding. "We believe gifting is an art form. But to us, it's not enough to simply put pretty things inside a box. We value flawless execution and sound logistics as much as we do appearance. From start to finish, our clients are completely stress-free knowing their gifting is not merely beautiful, but also safely off of their shoulders and onto ours."
They offer several options ranging from ready to ship pre-designed collections from approximately $70-$150. They also provide custom logo gift tags and matching note cards for $8.00 per gift with a five gift minimum, as well as custom-created corporate gifts. We found that their collateral materials spoke directly to gifts from event planners and client gifts for innovative businesses looking to elevate the client experience.
Shop Local
Another option for many smaller businesses is to shop locally. Many local boutiques are happy to create curated boxes to be delivered to a local client or shipped across the country. Sometimes including locally produced items and regional treats is just the right touch, and supporting other local businesses can lead to great referrals.
Build Your Own
Lastly, consider creating your own branded boxes. This can be a great way to really personalize the box to your client, while still controlling costs. Additionally, creating your own gifts can often lead to add-on sales. Showcasing your work might lead to orders for welcome bags, stationery, or signage. Whatever option you might choose, know that in a very competitive market, an upscale thank you gift might just give you the edge you need.
About the Author
