Questions brides will ask the Videographer

We saw these questions from Kris Malandruccolo at www.elegantvideosbykris.com and think that it’s very important that as a videographer or any kind of wedding vendor, you know what to expect. Check out these questions below to see if you have good answers to all of these questions!

Q. Are you the one who will be videotaping my wedding?
A. Make sure you speak to the person who will actually videotape your wedding. Many larger studios use free-lancers, and it is important to speak with the actual videographer ahead of time to make sure you get everything you want and to make sure you are comfortable with the videographer.

Q. How many cameras do you use? Does that mean a second videographer?
A. If you are having “two cameras”, then find out if that means a second videographer or just a camera on a tripod. Having a second videographer is more expensive than just a camera on a tripod (usually kept on wide angle). A second videographer can be well worth the extra cost due to the extra coverage you will get. Be sure to discuss camera placement and any videotaping restrictions ahead of time with your videographer.

Q. What type of cameras do you use?
A. Most professionals still use the “3-chip digital” cameras. However, High-Definition (HD) cameras are the newest cameras (either 720p or 1080i). As is the case with most new technology, the drawback to HD wedding videography today is the cost – videographers will need all new HD cameras and HD editing equipment so this can result in a higher price. There is no true HD delivery format available at this writing (11/06). Videographers also require more light when shooting in HD (3-chip digital cameras require less light) which can be an issue if you have a candle-light ceremony or a dark reception hall – but great if your event is outdoors. HD really shows off details (cake, flowers, dress), but this same attention to detail can also show (wrinkles, scars, imperfections) when videotaping people. You make the call whether the trade-offs are worth having HD.

Q. What kind of lighting do you use?
A. Some videographers use lights on their cameras, others do not. Some videographers will use a stand-alone soft-box light that gives off soft, even lighting . Ambient lighting at the reception hall will also help the photographer’s pictures turn out better and the flash or video light will not seem quite so harsh.

Q. How many and what kind of microphones do you use?
A. Audio quality is just as important as video quality. At the ceremony, have the groom wear a wireless microphone and have another one on the podium for any readers or singers. At the reception, make sure everyone who is giving a toast or blessing is using a microphone; this includes the person who is introducing the bridal party. Be sure to discuss audio placement ahead of time with your videographer.

Q. How do you edit the wedding video?
A. The latest and newest technology is non-linear editing (on a computer). Ask how many hours your videographer spends on editing since it will make a difference in the final price. It is not unusual for videographers to spend between 30-40 plus hours on the computer editing a wedding. Expect a price difference (and quality difference) between those who edit non-linear and those who do not.

Q. Can I have my wedding on DVD?
A. DVD is the latest trend in videography. DVD is a much better quality picture than VHS tape because there is no loss of quality when going from a digital master tape to DVD. Some videographers can customize their DVDs with multiple chapter stops/scene selection and a customized case with your wedding picture on it. Your wedding video can last for generations without any deterioration when archived to DVD. I believe providing the finished production on DVD is a must-have!

Q. How do you stay up-to-date in the video business?
A. Video technology is an ever-changing field (like the computer field) and professionals need to stay current. A videographer should be a member in local and national associations. Ask the videographer if he/she has ever been to any seminars or conventions. Any videographer belonging to WEVA (Wedding & Event Videography Association) is a big plus.

Q. How can I see samples of your work?
A. Be sure you are seeing samples of the actual videographer who will be videotaping your wedding. This is especially important when dealing with larger studios that may have several crews that they send out on the weekend. Some videographers will send out demo tapes and others will ask you to schedule an appointment to visit them. Some videographers have video clips (called streaming video) on their website where you can view their work while you are on the internet. If possible, try to meet with the videographer before you sign the contract.

Q. What other services or special effects do you offer?
A. This allows the videographer to talk about what else they offer and how they may differ from other videographers. Some examples are childhood/dating photo montage, wedding/honeymoon photo montage, bridal preparations, love story video (the two of you describing how you met, etc.), short-form video, highlight video, recap video, concept video, rehearsal coverage, big screen presentation, etc. This is also a good time to ask the videographer if they use special effects such as black & white, sepia-toned, slow-motion, animation, etc. There are many options to choose from!

Q. What about the contract?
A. When you decide to hire the videographer, ask to see a copy of the contract. Ask how much of a deposit is required and when the remaining balance is due. Make sure everything you want in your wedding video is spelled out. As it gets closer to your wedding day, the videographer should request a “planning meeting” either over the phone or in person. Most videographers are hired six months to one year in advance, so you need to make sure nothing has changed. Ask your videographer if they will attend your rehearsal – some videographers attend, some do not. It should also state when you will get your finished video.

Q. What will you charge to videotape my wedding based on the coverage I am looking for?
A. If you are on a certain budget, let the videographer know that upfront. If your budget is flexible, wait to ask about pricing until you have explained to the videographer what you are looking for and after the videographer has talked about skill, equipment and service.. A professional videographer with up-to-date digital cameras and non-linear editing can start around $2000. Videographers with S-VHS cameras and less editing will probably charge less. A more seasoned professional offering many extras can charge upwards of $5000 and more. These prices are only a guideline as pricing can vary region to region. It is hard to put a price on talent unless you view their work. Remember, your videographer is creating a family heirloom. Great video is not expensive, it is priceless!

Thanks Kris Malandruccolo at www.elegantvideosbykris.com such fabulous info!

Where are all the brides hiding??

“Where are all the brides hiding?”
by Natalie Bradley

I’m going to tell you how to figure out where YOUR ideal, high-paying brides are hiding. It may be different than you thought, but I guarantee it will be much easier to find her by the hundreds and even thousands!

Look through your past bride profiles. Call past brides and ask the questions below if you don’t know the answers. Once you figure this out, you can do some pretty creative marketing and advertising to attract a constant stream of brides to your business fast and furious!

1. What magazines on-and off-line does your bride read? 
   When  you know her hobbies and interests, figuring out what magazines she reads is as easy as 1-2-3. For instance, one of our clients figured out that all of her brides had one very important thing in common (or at least 90% of them did) … they own and love dogs.   Not just any dogs. The kind you dress up and treat like a child! She had beautiful pictures of a dog who was a wedding attendant and took up an ad in a dog magazine featuring the dog in the wedding and promoting her company. The brides went wild (and *bonus* there was no competition in the whole publication)!
2. Who else does business with her?
   Again, get creative. Of course, it’s important to know who she does business with in the industry, but also outside of it is just as important. Let’s stick with our dog example for the sake of simplicity (remember K.I.S.S.). Partnering up with vets, groomers, doggie day spas and resorts would be genius to get in front of brides continuously and consistently. Perhaps you could buy advertising in their newsletters, sponsor events they’re hosting, have materials in their lobby …. or all of the above! (Are you loving this yet???)
3. What other e-zines and blogs does she read?
   Again, be best friends with these people. Be a guest writer and blogger. Comment on their blog posts. Buy ads in their e-zines or on their blogs. Get out there in a big, creative, inexpensive way! I say, “if it works, work it!”

Your Bride Attraction Assignment:

It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Just answering these three questions and following through alone can fill your wedding business this year without making any other efforts! All it takes it one fantastic idea that you implement and follow through on to see real tangible results in your bridal biz.

So what’s stopping you? Go research and start marketing!!

© 2008-2010 Soirée! Ltd.
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Natalie Bradley publishes the “Bride Attraction” weekly e-zine. Get your F*REE audio course: “5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Wedding Business…Starting Today!l” at www.BrideAttraction.com

Natalie’s “Close the sale to book more brides”

This article was published in Natalie’s e-zine last week and if you haven’t read it, read it now! These tips are simple and easy but are incredibly effective!

In addition to knowing how to Market to Brides in a way that reels them in consistently and constantly, you have to know how to close the sale! After all, what happens when you get a line of brides filing in to work with you and not a single one signs on the dotted line? ZERO sales … that’s what happens. Not so fabulous is it? So, here’s what works virtually every time.

Closing the sale starts way before your initial consultation with the Bride. If you’re waiting to get her in the hot seat to show how awesome you are and why she should hire you, you’ve already lost the game!

Closing the sale effortlessly means having the bride PRE-sell herself on your services. You want her saying…“That’s EXACTLY what I Need! I want YOU for my wedding day!” all before she ever meets with you!

1. Have a website that generates leads. (Does this sound familiar? It should!)
   That means, you have to actually CAPTURE the brides’ information immediately when she lands on your site. And, closing the sale actually starts right then and there when you give her sneak peeks at your expertise through your website, with your packages, f.ree info, and portfolio examples, she’ll already start making her decision.
2. Then, as you speak to her weekly through your ezine, you start to win her over.
   Brides will learn how you are her problem-solver, how you are an expert at what you do, and she’ll see real examples of what your knowledge can do for her wedding day. She’s ALREADY deciding that YOU are the PERFECT person for her wedding!
3. Make sure to direct Brides to your Bride Testimonials in your magic email.
   This is HUGE! Nothing sells a bride on your services better than another Bride raving about how incredible are and how you are an invaluable asset for her wedding day! Use these testimonials to your to your benefit – they are one of your biggest tools in closing the sale!
4. In all your marketing copy … online AND in every email you sent out, tell your brides why you do what you do, what makes you different and what sets you apart from “the others”. What makes you different? Special? Why are you perfect for her? Tell her! This is NOT the time to be shy!
5. Confirm your complimentary consultation one or two days prior, including reminders to read your testimonials and refer to your services online. Basically, request that she does some homework prior to your meeting so that she’s “fresh” on why you’re so fantastic.
6. Be yourself. In your consultation, it’s so very important to be yourself, injecting a lot of personality into your limited time together. At this point, the Bride has generally already made her decision. Your job is to make her feel comfortable and secure that yes, indeed you’re the perfect match for her wedding day. You can only do this by being you; not by pretending to be someone you THINK she wants to see. If she didn’t already love your personality, she wouldn’t be sitting in front of you!
7. Ask important, thoughtful questions AND LISTEN to her answers. Most wedding vendors make the mistake of not knowing when to HUSH and just BE THERE for the bride. I can’t tell you how many times Brides have said to me: “Natalie, you are the ONLY person who has asked me these questions and actually listened to what I had to say. I can tell that you sincerely care about what we want for our wedding day.” What do you think this will mean to the bride? ….Everything!
8. Paint the Picture of what their wedding day will be like as a result of hiring you. Create that visual for them, walk them through the process, and describe each package accordingly. Don’t be stuffy or too formal. It feels like a hard sale and NO ONE likes that!
9. Ask for the sale. Simply ask. “Which package would you like? When would you like to start?” Don’t ask yes or no. Ask which and when! This is a huge difference!
10. Follow-up. Regardless of whether the Bride books on the spot or not, always, always, follow-up with a thoughtful, hand-written thank you note. Tell her how you can’t WAIT to help her create her fantasy wedding and how you’d be HONORED to be a part of it! In a time when NO ONE is writing thank you notes anymore (I mean real, hand-written/NON email thank you notes), you will definitely STAND OUT for the bride!

© 2008-2010 Soirée! Ltd.
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Natalie Bradley publishes the “Bride Attraction” weekly e-zine. Get your F*REE audio course: “5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Wedding Business…Starting Today!l” at www.BrideAttraction.com

What are they renting?

With the possibilities of weddings ever-growing, the possibilities of things to use and rent at weddings are growing as well.

Did you know that in 2008, over $35,000,000 was spent on motorcycle rentals for weddings? But the second-most money spent on transportation—over $111,000,000—came from horse and carriage rentals!  Limo rentals were number one with over $579,000,000 spent.

Grooms spent over $576,000,000 on tuxedo rentals in 2008 while brides spent almost $2 billion on wedding dresses!

When and Where to get married!

Weddings happen everywhere and all the time! But do you know when the most weddings occur? The month of JULY! Yes, it’s hot and steamy in most parts of the country, but it is the most popular time of the year to get married!

Do you know the number one city in the world to get married is? Las Vegas, Nevada, of course! Over 106,000 weddings took place in Las Vegas in 2007. Whether brides and grooms are eloping in the happening city or having a tradition ceremony, people flock to Vegas to get married! The second most popular city in the world to get married is Istanbul, Turkey, with 92,000 in 2007. Can you guess the third? Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Gatlinburg hosts more than 42,000 weddings per year.

One Minute Marketing to Brides Makeover :: Technology

Floral Spending

Flowers can be a huge chunk of a bride’s budget, especially if they want out of season flowers. The average bride spends about $1300 on flowers, and that is in a recession. Theweddingreport.com breaks down how much, on average, a bride and groom spend on each kind of floral arrangement.

Boutonnières and corsages- $121

Bridal Bouquet- $154

Bridesmaids Bouquets- $155

Ceremony Flower Arrangements- $286

Flower girl flowers- $84

Flower petals- $91

Reception flower arrangements- $385

It’s the last day!

Last chance to sign up for the Bride Attraction Bootcamp! It begins tomorrow …. January 26!

More details at www.BrideAttractionBootcamp.com.

If you want to join us, get the scoop at  www.BrideAttractionBootcamp.com….

Destination Weddings

Destination weddings have become a huge alternative to the traditional hometown wedding.

According to theweddingreport.com, there were over 259,000 destination weddings in 2008 with a market value of over $2.49 billion dollars! People are most interested in a location, and this is the biggest influence as to packing up and bringing all their guests to a foreign place.

Theweddingreport.com also reports that the Bahamas, Jamaica, Caribbean, and the Dominican Republic were the top locations for destination weddings. Obviously people are in love with the tropics!

One Minute Marketing to Brides Makeover – Turning Criticism into Acclaim