Wedding Packages

king grant wrote in post #11641042
I keep packages negotiable and vague simply because if bridezilla wants me to point fingers and talk about me being expendable after doing the gig I can cut bait and walk away. $1000 to show up ensures that they are aware that I'm not going to be thrown around a venue and then have them try to not pay me for my time equipment and effort.

Do you provide a DVD and the edited photos in that $1000?

yes. i do provide a dvd of low rez that are suitable to print at 4x6 size in with that $1000. with meta data of course so they can print from their computer and not have resizing to big print size that i would prefer they do through me instead of walgreens.

however walgreens has called me a few times to confirm copyright and if i feel i was treated properly as their photographer then i give the ok to print whatever they want. im not a stickler for getting every dime but i maintain a good ammount of bargaining chips as CYA insurance for myself.

We had a reasonably good year with bookings. I think the brides all get confused with hourly packages and if your going to do the reception, how long to stay,,all kinds of stuff that just complicate the process.

Price range for my area

78% of the bridal market are B/T 1200.oo and 2800.00 for money they will spend for coverage

we decided to market all day coverage

" we arrive as soon as you start to get ready and we dont leave until you toss the bouquet"

we also went small party and large party. I find that small party (bride,groom, 2 on each side for a total of 6 ), im usually there 7-8 hours total time

large party im there 9-11 hours

so we took time completely out of the equation ( day is shot anyways) , toss in a base album ( My Costs are 175.00), the other usual perks like a CD, 2 photographers, and came up with our packages. we sold 19 this season and are looking to do 25 for 2012. when they book with a $600.00 deposit, we throw in the engagement session. That takes about 2 hours of my time. Worth it to me to have a full schedule. We are also rasing the prices for 2012.

we will try to upsell to better albums, framed prints and ive all but given up on prints. Basically we mirror the couple for the day and it seems to be working. seems to be taking to confusion out of the process for brides. Also selling some framed prints, pressbooks from the engagement sessons.

The HS senior market is really taking a beating for the past 2 yrs so we may introduce a shoot and burn package, not sure yet. Im finding a lot of people want that 1500.00 guy to take some pics and provide a CD. Not bad for 6-7 hrs work and some edit time. Could fill in some gaps in the calendar with the senior market right now......still not sure

umphotography wrote in post #12866711
we decided to market all day coverage

" we arrive as soon as you start to get ready and we dont leave until you toss the bouquet"

After my first 16 hour wedding I stopped doing unlimited coverage. It's just too hard. Many photographers in my area only do six hours.

tim wrote in post #12866862
After my first 16 hour wedding I stopped doing unlimited coverage. It's just too hard. Many photographers in my area only do six hours.

Have not had any 16's yet. We really narrow down the times at the consult. They know we are going to show up as they are starting to get dressed and we are out of there after reception events. We had a double ceremony they went 12 but thats been it. Clients get the concept so far. If they wanted us to stay until an exit, we would bid it higher.

I like what were doing. Takes all the haggling back and forth out of the equation. They like that we mirror them for the day, no hassel to get shots in during an hourly situation. Takes the stress out of it all. We would rather put in the extra time. Clients have been great. They are providing us a meal, we get to know everyone well, seems to work.

Definately trying to add as much value as we can because, like everyone else, we are way over saturated in our area with wedding photographers. I think it will help us get the price points a little higher with perceived value by eliminating the hourly rate. For us, it seems to work.

I define my day as arriving two hours prior to the time the bride leaves for the ceremony and I stay until the reception "winds down". This typically works out to 8-10 hours; sometimes 11 if they do a first look and portraits early. Beyond that, there's an additional charge.

I average 12 hours although can often end up doing more. I don't mind it, quite enjoy it in fact.

As my packages are all inclusive (except for one) I don't have to quibble over what hours I will or won't cover. The packages and prices are published in detail on my website (even on the menu) so when I meet with potential clients they already know exactly what they will get at what price. As I don't discount at these days the choice is simple... either they book or they don't.

I've never had a 16 hour day at a wedding. But long hours don't scare me... once you've worked the hours I'm working at my "other job" this summer, 16 hours will seem like a cake walk. And probably involve less crying. :P

After 16 hours of being alert, rarely stopping moving, not eating properly because you're busy, being friendly, professional, and fun to get good expressions, anyone should be stuffed.

tim wrote in post #12872441
After 16 hours of being alert, rarely stopping moving, not eating properly because you're busy, being friendly, professional, and fun to get good expressions, anyone should be stuffed.

I pretty much do all of that, but you can add in the expectation that you are always laughing, always happy, always being positive, lack of food, lack of sleep, water that tastes like rotten eggs, lots of people crying around you, having to cheer those people up, the occasional scary medical emergency, sleeping on rubber mats on the ground, and the fact that we do it 5.5 days a week for 8 weeks... all for $150/week. I did the math once. That's about $0.75/hour. And I love it. Every minute. Almost more then shooting weddings. Almost.

PeaceFire wrote in post #12872533
I pretty much do all of that, but you can add in the expectation that you are always laughing, always happy, always being positive, lack of food, lack of sleep, water that tastes like rotten eggs, lots of people crying around you, having to cheer those people up, the occasional scary medical emergency, sleeping on rubber mats on the ground, and the fact that we do it 5.5 days a week for 8 weeks... all for $150/week. I did the math once. That's about $0.75/hour. And I love it. Every minute. Almost more then shooting weddings. Almost.

wtf is that job?

tim wrote in post #12872594
wtf is that job?

YMCA summer camp. If you think Bridezillas are bad, wait until you've dealt with a cabin full of homesick 8 year olds. This past week I got bit by a camper whom I had to force-feed medication mixed in applesauce two times a day. Can't say I've been bit by a bride (yet). I realized years ago that I am far too old to be doing this job anymore. And yet, year after year, I keep going back... and I still love it.

Someone would only bite me once...