Discussions

Where are the best places to ask to donate silent auction prizes for a social?

Are continually getting asked for handouts for things like this. I would suggest you try the business's you patronize on a regular basis, might be better than going to a business you have never been to before.

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, family, friends. Or as previously stated a business that you support regularly.  
Costs are high these days and most businesses aren't able/willing to just toss money at a social that they have no connection too. You may get some very negative responses if you randomly approach some small businesses.  
 
Just and FYI.  
 
Most weddings i have been involved in lately, bridesmaids chip in and get prizes, groomsman do the same.

Cruiser said "Are continually getting asked for handouts for things like this. I would suggest you try the business's you patronize on a regular basis, might be better than going to a business you have never been to before. "

Most businesses do not value this sort of activity as being true advertising for their brands, so don't use that approach as you'll only embarrass yourself.  
 
Perhaps approach the businesses you regularly patronize with a "buy one, get one" or "buy for half price" concept. Sometimes this is a perk of being a loyal customer of a local business - and you won't get that sort of support from the mail order houses.  
 
Start with the businesses that are vendors for this event. They may have special promotional items that are related to the wedding crowd.

My wedding social is next month. Each person in my wedding party is putting together a prize. We have two donated by business however one is a families. I don't believe in asking business for prizes.

It's all about who you know. If you do not have a personal connection to a business tough luck! But if you are willing to advertise their business at the social many will donate hats, camping gear , mugs etc. I just had my wedding social and 90% of my prizes were donated from local businesses who know myself, my fiance's family, and mainly from ones who knew my father. You will get nothing from businesses you do not regularly shop at or support. We al  
so put in about $300 worth of prizes and my family put in a $400 prize. I had my grandma donate a home made quilt, mother in law make some pies, uncles written books and soo much more. I was told we had the best prizes ever.

Not sure if they still do this or not but I contacted Molson brewery for mine and agreed to only sell Molson products and got some awesome prizes ourt of them

Are you on any Facebook swap/shop pages? Try asking on there. I have seen a lot of home based businesses donate items for events such as these just to get their name out there