When Chester decided to open his own studio, he vowed to be the most affordable wedding photographer Louisville Ky residents could find. He also vowed to be the most dependable wedding photographer Ky brides could hire. He figured by having the best prices and by being the most dependable, he would never be lacking for customers. Unfortunately, this was not the way it was. He found himself many weekends without a job and wondered what it would take to get his business booming. He questioned the quality of his work. Were his pictures on par or better than his competition? He tried to view his work objectively and he believed that indeed, his pictures were quite impressive. He had truthful colleagues take a look at his pictures as well. They assured him that his work was creative and fun and captured vibrant images and scenes. This led Chester to assume that his lack of business was not a result of poor quality, but of a failure to properly market his services. He seriously critiqued his method of advertising. He had spent a tidy sum of money taking out an advertisement in his local yellow pages. He also, from time to time, would run a small ad in the local newspaper. Chester realized that he needed an advertising strategy where his pictures could be seen by possible clients. He brainstormed several marketing options that might be of benefit.

The first thing Chester decided to do in order to get his pictures seen by potential customers was to document them on his very own website. A friend of his offered to help Chester create a business website that would showcase his prior work. The website would also include the studio phone number and address, as well as, background information. Although Chester used the internet everyday for checking e-mail and sports headlines, he had not really considered the possibility of customizing his own web page. He was not particularly computer savvy and truthfully, had been doubtful that a web address would see a lot of action. As he looked into this type of advertising he had to admit he was very impressed with all he found. He thought that for the minimal time and financial investment it would take to create, a website would definitely be a win-win situation.

The second strategy Chester utilized was volunteering some of his time to take pictures for well- attended community events. As he took images of happy float riders during town parades, and kids with faces being painted at charity carnivals, he had plenty of personalized business cards to hand out. That way, as these great quality pictures were processed and displayed around town and in local newspaper articles, his contact information was in the hands of the people whose images he had captured.

The third strategy Chester tried was taking class pictures and individual portraits at area schools. By marketing his services there, he was attempting to develop name and quality recognition with local families. He discounted his portrait packages in the hope of acquiring further business in the future. The family able to experience the quality of his work taking something basic like a school portrait, was sure to be pleased with a more in-depth studio session.

Bridal Shower – If You’re Not Careful, It Can Pour!

Bridal Showers are very interesting days indeed. Traditionally, it is left in the hands of Bridesmaids or Mothers and Mothers-In-Laws, it can be a scary proposition for a bride to be.

Yes, this day can prove to be a harrowing experience, but there really is great purpose for a Bridal Shower. They help the couple furnish their new home with many useful household items. And showers nowadays, can be centered around a theme. You can have a kitchen shower, lingerie shower, greenback shower (all money), etc…the possibilities are endless. And if you are having it during a certain season of the year, you can give your guests a thank you such as fall wedding favors.

It is the job of the hostess(s) to decide on a theme and then plan the entire day. If there is more than one shower, those that are the hosts need to check with each other not to duplicate the theme and guests. What is very popular in many parts of the country is to have one large Bridal Shower and then, for closer friends and family, have a 'personal' Bridal Shower where the bride receives gifts of lingerie and more intimate gifts. Also, in one area of the country it is tradition to give something to guests on arrival such as unique edible wedding favors.

Showers, more often than not, are informal get-togethers that take place during lunchtime on a Saturday or Sunday, or even during a mid-afternoon tea. Recently, what has come into vogue is a co-ed evening shower, which consists mostly of other single men and women and is a perfect place to give out those awesome wedding shower favors.

During many showers, games are played which can be a lot of fun. But check with the bride to be regarding this. Some have very strong opinions about games, one way or the other.

To assure you, the future bride, of getting everything that you want and need for your home, you should register at your favorite department or gift stores. Just make sure that you choose items that are all prices from inexpensive to expensive, allowing all kinds of gifts for women to purchase, or join together to get a larger gift. And whoever is giving the shower needs to remember to put on the invitation exactly where you are registered.

If it’s a large shower, writing thank you cards can be a problem. One idea for getting addresses for this purpose, is giving away a door prize. At the door, everyone is given a card where they have to fill out their name and mailing address. They are all put in a hat and at the end of the shower, one card is picked. That person wins the prize and now the bride has all the addresses for thank you cards. Makes life so much easier for the bride to be. A bridal shower managed correctly can be a blessing to a bride to be and help cut her stress, which is so needed at this time!

You’ve heard about these type of weddings but you don’t understand exactly what it is. It’s when an engaged couple decide that they do not want to be very involved in putting together their special day. So, they call the unique wedding planners that specialize in All Inclusive Weddings, which basically is a wedding where everything is included and the couple chooses from several different packages of venues and products. On the surface, this can seem so perfect; even appear to save you money. But over many years, my experience has shown me – Buyer Beware!

Initially what this type of planner asks is about how much the couple wants to spend on their wedding. That figure includes everything except the rings, gown, honeymoon and your wedding favors. They also will ask how many guests will be at the reception. Be careful here. If you guarantee 150 guests and 120 show up, you’re still going to pay for 150 guests! And considering that up to 10% of guests don’t show up on your wedding day as it is, you are paying for lots of empty chairs!

When you get involved with an All Inclusive Wedding, there usually are several venues to choose from. More than likely you will visit each of them and then choose which one is the best for your particular wedding. Now you’re getting excited…but beware…this is when it begins.

After choosing the venue that you absolutely love and you start to make decisions with the wedding planner, the cost/product/venue breakdown is then sent to the future bride and groom. The budget is exactly figured to the amount the couple told the planner that they can spend, but there are usually some issues. This All Inclusive Wedding was to include everything but for the exceptions. Included was the cocktail hour, dinner, band, flowers, photography, videography, invitations, wedding favors, limos, etc. all for the budgeted amount and still it did not include any unique wedding favors.

Well, do you know what usually happens when the couple receives their specific breakdown? There are omissions everywhere. This is normally shocking, but now you are involved and don’t want to start again, so you speak to the planner and try to negotiate. How do you stop this from happening? When you are in the process of planning an All Inclusive Wedding, right from the beginning you have to have in writing what is included for the price you gave them. And yes, they are very good at making things fit your budget, but then you end up eliminating some things that are important to you. For example, there are only 3 members in the band, there is no appetizer at dinner, very slim amount of flowers, a Town Car not a limo, etc. I remember one wedding where they asked the planner to just throw in some cheap wedding favors and she wouldn’t even do that!

My advice to you, is to be very careful when using this type of planner. Better yet, work with someone you know, or do it yourself and get the aid of a planning consultant that will help you in areas such as buying products from you at wholesale. Unless cost is not a problem for you, you want to be very careful when you bump into this type of planner. Remember, don't jump into anything too quickly. Search for the best deal with your budget and with those you want to work with. The term All Inclusive Wedding many times can mean nothing more than adding a middle man, which is going to cost you more money in the end.

Infamous wedding favors - you love them and you hate them. That pesky little gift that you’re so obliged to give your guests tends to confuse and torment so many couples. What do you give them? Do you match your theme? Do you get something more expensive or opt for cheap wedding favors?

The problem is that wedding favors come in all shapes, sizes, styles, designs, themes and colors. You can even coordinate your theme with the what you both love whether it’s a sport wedding favor like golf or wine wedding favors. That’s why it gets crazy and confusing; too many to choose from and too many choices to make. So, let’s make it easy for you.

We have a very large variety of wedding favors but we have broken it down into categories that are simple to understand and navigate. Whether you decide to send your guests home with something that has you and your spouses name on it which is personalized or perhaps give them a more practical gift like a wine bottle stopper, we will give you ideas and make it very simple for you to find what you want and to order and receive your choice of wedding favors.

Weddings can cause so much stress and turmoil between the future bride, groom and family members, that many weddings have been cancelled due to the anguish that accompanies trying to plan a wedding. And with most weddings on a budget today, you can only hope that you find what you want regarding everything you need at a price that works for you. And that is why our family business came about for you, the person who wants style and quality at a price that works for their budget.

Don’t fret over this small item on your wedding day. Let us help you overcome the “wedding favor blues” and make your shopping experience a pleasure rather than a problem. We love our wedding favor collection and we’re sure you will also. Then look beyond wedding favors and discover our wedding gifts, bridal party gifts and all other wedding accessories that you will need, knowing you are getting the best price, quality and value for your money.

Our wish is that you have an awesome wedding and amazing marriage. Don’t let these little problems create bigger problems. You will soon discover that this time goes by so quickly and then you’re married wondering where the time of planning went. So stop; breathe; enjoy your time of planning your wedding with our expertise and help.