Exhibitor Feedback Form: For Exhibitors of The Ring's Winter 2012 Bridal Expo, Waterloo Inn

First of all, we were overwhelmed by the number of vendors willing to jump on board and give The Ring's first ever Bridal Expo a chance. To make sure that the next time is as good (or even better) than this one, please tell us how we did...

For Reviewed Vendors: Give more. Get more.

Participate in the LOVEit! VIP Membership Card Promotion

Participate in The Ring's LOVEit! VIP Members Cards promotion!

LOVEit Cards give brides the experience that they already expect from dealing with wedding experts in The Ring - but just more of it. It's not necessarily a discount. Really, it's a "more" card.  The idea is to encourage and reward brides for booking the wedding experts we love and promote year-round. We want them to continue to expert more, better from reviewed wedding vendors in The Ring.

Click for details and to participate...

Think outside the box: sponsor a project

Traditional advertising is for the birds... the old, unadventurous birds who keep doing the same boring thing over and over, expecting different results.

From live scavenger hunts, online auctions and couture bridal shows to several upcoming yet-to-be-unveiled bridal web software projects that will imprint your brand in the minds of the brides you love, this is a great time to get creative with your marketing.

By putting your name on an innovation, special project or event, you get to think outside the box. Get you to try something new and get more reach - for longer periods, at less cost (as little as $250).

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to talk about pairing up your brand or promotion with a new venture in The Ring.

- Jenn @ The Ring

{ now closed } For Experts: Think Spring!

Call for collaboration for the Spring/Summer 2012 magazine

It's that time again!... Even as your features in the current (F/W '11) issue of the mag are being distributed at shows and stocked onto shelves in Chapters, the media team at The Ring is already brainstorming for the next issue which goes to print in about two months! So that's why we're officially putting out the call to experts for collaboration for the Spring/Summer 2012 Magazine.

It's one of the two times each year when we get to shamelessly plug you in print for no good reason other than that we love you, brides love you, and we know it'll get you more weddings.

This is our favourite part of doing the magazine - it's our chance to get your insight, creativity and experience into the headlines (or by-lines, as the case may be) of The Wedding Ring Magazine.

{ now closed } Spring/Summer (January) 2012 spaces booking now until Oct 7
{experts ♥2x rates}

The Wedding Ring Magazine is the only magazine that offers fresh content written for, about (and by) local brides and experts

Brides want to read about the content that includes them, that researches their local options, and that showcases their fashion and planning savvy.

WHY 2X RATES ROCK :: Get 2 ad spaces for less than the cost of most single spaces. We're saving you up to $325 per ad on 2x bookings + covering you in print year-round.

The team at The Ring wants to make it easier for experts to get year-round reach in one of local brides' favourite magazines without giving up the ability to serve up fresh content, twice a year.

Target the brides you love with a magazine that puts you in the headlines. The Wedding Ring Magazine is all about you, your brides and your style.

• ~ 15,000 copies distribution of this issue
  
• ~ 25,000+ circulation online
• ~ put directly into brides' hands at local bridal shows
• ~ distributed at busy wedding retail stores and countless wedding expert offices and showrooms across Southwestern Ontario
• ~ sold at Chapters (starting January 16th 2012) and select stores across Southwestern Ontario (from Toronto to Windsor, Hamilton to Guelph and beyond)
• ~ all ads are full colour and your design work included
• ~ rates that make it easy to advertise year-round, at a higher circulation, and yet stay local targeted and within budget.
  
• ~ advertisers get full bleed wherever possible
  

From $375 to $925, display to advertorial, how you put yourself in print is flexible, easy and effective.

Results with The Ring

Since 2003, The Wedding Ring's vision has been to change the way brides plan weddings... and in doing so, change the way experts look at advertising.

We believe that anyone can sell a new client one time. But for The Ring, it's year two (and three and four...) that matters even more. Why? Because TheWeddingRing.ca and The Wedding Ring Magazine is built almost entirely on renewals.

The staff, reps and management at The Ring do everything in our power (reviews, blogs, print, in-person marketing, auctions, events, social media plugs, continuous marketing support..) to deliver fabulous advertising results. So, when it comes time for a client to renew, everyone's happy. It's a meeting that's all about what's new and hot in our clients' wedding businesses and in The Ring. It's rarely about dollars or cents.

Abela Photography  
“I wouldn’t stay with The Ring if I didn’t continually get bookings from it. I get good service, it’s easy to get things changed – pictures, review, ads – excellent job of doing our display ad. I get great coverage, great exposure and bookings even though we’re well known from being in business for 30 years. The internet is the place to be advertising – I looked for the best that I could get and that is the Wedding Ring. It’s a reputable company. Brides know about the Ring, and even though there are other companies’ websites out there, I find that the Ring is a more reputable firm. It’s getting to be THE site to hit first for wedding information. Not only do you offer the internet site, you have the magazine too so I get a 2 for 1 deal!” - Darlene Abela, Owner, Professional Photographer. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it November 2010

Jim Anderson Flowers
Geraldine Peters who is a member of several networking groups said “I only advertise to Brides in the Wedding Ring because it’s the best place to reach Brides in our local area. I’ve been told that the Brides track The Wedding Ring for all their wedding needs. It confirms my reputation because the Wedding Ring has a good reputation on its own for choosing reputable businesses and so Brides trust who they see on the Ring. I’ve also done several internet weddings from contact on the Ring. It’s also a support wall for me.” - Geraldine Peters, Owner and Professional Floral Designer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   November 2010

BW Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre
Claudia likes “all the information that is offered – it’s really helped out a lot, it’s like one stop shopping and is user friendly. We like the way you present us to the public – it really depicts what we’re all about and gives them a lot of useful information.  If brides go online, it’s always the Wedding Ring.  Vendors won’t go wrong if they want the wedding market. Service is great - if you need anything it’s done right away.” - Claudia Neville, Director of Sales & Catering, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

Best Western Stoneridge Inn and Conference Centre, Rose Chapel
“We get a lot of referrals from The Ring. They do a great job in the way of service and communication. I think you have a great product. The Review and Banner Ads online have been very successful and have been quite effective.” - Natalie Zima, Owner and General Manager. Governor Region 3-37 Best Western Hotels, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

London Club
David said, “I’m only interested in advertising with a company that brings me business and brides and grooms are calling us from being on the Ring. In the last 6 months,  it’s the most recognized source ... I would say that 80% of the brides that call me heard about us on the Wedding  Ring. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to any vendors in the wedding industry. The last 5 brides who came to the London Club and booked read our review on the Ring.” - David Unger, Sales & Marketing Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

Pine Knot Golf & Country Club
“I really love being able to refer potential clients to the website and give them a copy of the magazine. It is a win win situation for all of us. It is one of the best values for our advertising dollars that we spend. Business for us has increased 40% since advertising with the Ring. My sales rep responds quickly when I need information or assistance. Compared to other companies and magazines that advertise in the wedding industry, I find the Wedding Ring is 100% better. You are definitely more available and I like the fact that you are local. Brides find us from the website and the magazine is beautiful – I really love being able to display it in the clubhouse as well as hand it out.” - Wendy Allan, Operations Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , December 2010

Poag’s Jewellers
“I like that it’s informative – the Review section is great – can see all the great services offered, magazine tips are helpful from jewelry to reception halls. It’s a good resource for someone trying to plan a wedding – definitely everything is there that you need. We are very pleased at the exposure.” - Jenny Dortmans, Gemologist, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

Signature Events Rental Centre
“It’s a reputable place to go to check up on a company. The magazine is a plus to hand out. I like the Trends section – it’s good to show customers that we’re up to date on current trends. Good communication with sales person.” - Heather Burger, Events Coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

Sunningdale Golf & Country Club
“I like that it’s so thorough (Review), that it’s far reaching – everyone’s heard of the Wedding Ring, it’s so well known. I like that you do your site visits, you come to talk to us in person -  good relationship with sales person, good service. You are very selective in choosing  vendors and you stand behind your people. Our technician’s tracking results – we have a large number of brides who have come to us through your website – that’s really important since we’re a private country club…. open to the public for weddings.” - JoAnne Hosack, Food & Beverage Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

Wedding Favours
“I like that it’s a community of vendors – you can go in and find everything you need in one location – you don’t have to search the web – The Ring has done all the work for the Brides and vendors.  It’s a great place for vendors to stay in touch – it’s easy to get information. I like the fact that the members are on the site as well. It’s local and Canadian. I get good service. It’s a good resource and a great marketing tool that any vendor should consider.” - Christine Rozon, Owner of Wedding Favours.ca. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

The Windermere Manor
“I like that so many people know about The Wedding Ring - I hear from the Brides it’s the first place that they look and that’s how they heard about us. They have no idea where to start. It’s a quality site. Brides are working and busy but they can go online anytime.” - Julie-Ann McCallum, Events Coordinator. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 2010

Business Opportunity: Bring The Ring to brides in your area

The summer of 2011 has been fast-paced and rewarding. As a company, Wedding Ring inc. marked it's eight year catering to an industry that is recession-proof, fashion-savvy and built on love stories. The Ring also sent it's 9th magazine to print and topped 10,000 subscribers in an Ontario-only email mailing list. But probably one of the biggest developments was the welcoming of The Ring's first Exclusive Distributor, Laura Kalcsa, to the company as she takes The Ring to the gorgeous west coast of Canada in Fall 2011.

The Ring is very much a personal, one-on-one, client-based business. We do the research in person. We attend bridal shows in person. We have our feet on the ground, so to speak, at all times. Opening the doors to distributor opportunities and inquiries is an exciting step that allows us to keep our feet planted firmly in the communities within which we grew as a business, while also expanding to reach brides and wedding experts in communities far across Canada, where we wouldn't ordinarily be able to reach.

Becoming an Exclusive Distributor

As an Exclusive Distributor in your own territory of The Wedding Ring, you are essentially walking into a wedding industry media business overnight. Your business will be built on systems that work for both your bottom line, your sense of job satisfaction, your advertisers, and most importantly, your brides. It's a wedding magazine, website, community and research project that makes a difference in the lives and planning of brides, in the palm of your hands.

You will cater content, research and resources to local brides in your city, with your own magazine and regional edition of TheWeddingRing.ca website. You'll learn everything there is to know about the industry, attend bridal shows, turn high end vendors into your clients and partners, reach out to and service brides, distribute magazines, write articles, and ultimately becomes the premier source of information for brides in your community - online, offline and in print.

These new opportunities are about sharing our adventure, reaching more brides, creating partnerships, and ultimtely (and most importantly) changing the way local brides plan weddings - one wedding community at a time...

When there are thousands of florists & hundreds of photographers, how's a bride to choose?

The Wedding Ring uses interviews, reviews, an online community of brides, social media, and a fresh magazine (written by and for local brides and experts) to offer brides the information they can't find anywhere else and to offer wedding experts a new way to reach the fabulous, stylish brides they target.

With opportunities for wedding experts that include web, print and community in one (from $1250), The Wedding Ring targets brides and experts from the Greater Toronto Area to London and Huron County and from Brantford/Brant County to Guelph and beyond!

Toronto's Irina Photography blogs about The Wedding Ring

"Unite your wedding ideas, stories and build a community"

Award-winning photographer, IrinaPhotography, blogged (in her newly made-over, gorgeous blog) her thoughts on how The Toronto Wedding Ring unites Toronto brides. "The best part to every wedding is seeing a bride and grooms' vision become a reality. I absolutely love...

Before you decide on this or next year's advertising, see how The Ring measures up

Springtime is one of the biggest selling seasons for a lot of the national newsstand wedding magazines. The staff at TheWeddingRing.ca & The Wedding Ring Magazine knows you're likely receiving a lot of phone calls and emails asking for final decisions on Fall 2011 and Winter 2012 advertising. And we recognize that you have a lot of options - many of which come with a hefty price tag and an unknown ROI.

So before you make a decision on the next six to twelve months of advertising, everyone at The Ring (Anne, Jenn, Rhianna, Marg, Kim R, Kim K and Ashley) thought we'd do a little research on the competition, take a good look at our own ad opportunities, and lay it out to show you how we can and do offer more than you're used to expecting for your advertising dollar... At rates that are realistic for a growing wedding business.

At The Wedding Ring, we believe we can do better for you. By offering you more, delivering on locally targeted circulation, handing over a strong target market and giving you solid booking inquiries instead of cold leads, we make ROI our full time priority.

Here's how we do what we do. And how that stacks up to the competition...