how to get a wedding?

[Cinbika]

What is the best way you have found to get weddings?

[Wazza]

Shoot a friends wedding.
Do a good job
Word of mouth, and further word of mouth.

Best way, and no cost in advertising.

[Subimatt]

Word of mouth.

[Valjoy]

I like you had no idea how to get my first wedding, very hard without the experience of shooting one.....so my daughter and her husband kindly got back in their wedding gear so I could take some photos for my portfolio. Also a friend of my daughter was opening a Bridal Consulting business and asked if I could do a photo shoot for her website.(for nothing )
It was a full on wedding shoot with some great photo oppotunities.
Next step was doing up a wedding album with all my shots as well as some digital collages. I am yet to do my first real wedding but I have seven yes seven booked weddings, 2 next month. I have been very honest with my clients in letting them know that I am just starting and that the photos are all from 'mock wedding shoots"
Word of mouth and then actually seeing what I am capable of doing for them is very important. People are very visual and like to see. Good luck.

[FamilyJules]

I second the friend's weddings suggestion.... also, try advertising on Craigslist for extremely cheap or free.... That's how I got my first 3 paid weddings ( icharged $100 to cover my traveling costs). We all knew what we were getting into, so there were no surprises. Now, since those, I just book everything through word of mouth and networking through other vendors. Find local florists, stylists, videographers, or wedding coordinators that you can collaborate with! I've booked 5 weddings in the last month alone just through networking.

Hope this helps and god luck!

[shaggymatt]

I second the friend's weddings suggestion.... also, try advertising on Craigslist for extremely cheap or free.... That's how I got my first 3 paid weddings ( icharged $100 to cover my traveling costs). We all knew what we were getting into, so there were no surprises.

I did second shooting with a friend, and I got my first gig through craigslist as well. In a real roundabout way though, person was looking for a $200 digital SLR, to shoot a wedding. Not expecting a response, I sent a nice message saying that you will never find the gear for that price, at any quality level. I offered to do it for that price as it would be my first primary gig. Was a low budget affair for the bride and groom, and they understood my position. Be HONEST! They were happy with me, and have given referrals, and I have earned follow up (portraits) business with them.

Go to vistaprint and get some cheapo cards made up so you have something to hand out. Give the bride/groom some to keep around the house as well.

[Robert16]

Friends took a chance and gave me the opportunity to shoot their wedding. I made up their album as a wedding present. I've only shot seven this year. I'm part time. Have another six bookings for next year. Word of mouth. No advertising. Small time, keeps me happy.

[Mike]

It has all been word of mouth for me so far.

[form]

0% word of mouth for me: about 95% craigslist and 5% search engines and free advertising websites.

Even though some people know about me through word of mouth, I don't get any weddings that way. I get only a few referrals and they aren't weddings.

[Cinbika]

thanx everyone. I think I may try craigs list. It just freaks me out a bit.

[bubbawillums]

Defo need to do one for a friend and do a good job.. i did this and got loads of work out of it.. must of shot well over 20 weddings now purely from WOM.

[sebmour]

Depends what price you are asking...

300-600 craiglist and free style publicity like that web site.
1000-1800 vendors
3000-5000 word of mouth and quality website
7500 and up is all about quality service, personnality, authenticity and word of mouth.

[mids1999]

I would try contacting some local family owned restaurants and other family owned event venues. The owner of the place where I had my wedding suggested a DJ to me, I hired them for my wedding.


Most family owned restaurants and other event venues would be happy to refer you if they feel you do quality work and they are not currently working with somebody and even if they are, sometimes that photographer may be too busy or the client may not like that photographers style, etc. Make your availability and quality of service known.

See if you have any friends who are getting married that will let you photograph their wedding (as a professional or not) this will give you a start on a portfolio. If not and you have the money hire some models and make a portfolio.

Show this portfolio around to other people and the above mentioned places along with any other opportunity that comes up. Once you get one wedding, Word of mouth is amazing, it alone can easily make or break a career.

[Papa Carlo]

0% word of mouth for me: about 95% craigslist and 5% search engines and free advertising websites.

Even though some people know about me through word of mouth, I don't get any weddings that way. I get only a few referrals and they aren't weddings.
No offence but this could mean that people are not happy with your service.

[Kristalee]

Once I built up enough of a portfolio I entered a small bridal show and because my prices were so reasonable I booked 5 brides in 5 hours (it took a few weeks to get them al signed up). From those I am now starting to see referrals coming in! Networking is also highly important but don't forget to return the favor and refer to others as well!

[cdifoto]

Hold the bride's cat captive until she agrees to hire you. That's how I got Jamaica.