Starting a Wedding business, Suggestions?

D

dcfilms

Member
Hey, I had a quick question about wedding videos. I just bought a dvx, im a sophomore in college and im studying film. While at school i want to break into the wedding business. I have only shot one wedding for a friends sister. It was a great experience and everyone gave me positive feedback on the edited video. I had really fun doing it and realized this might be my ticket for expenses during college.

Anyway i was curious for all you wedding videographers out there, how did you break in and establish clients? Also does anyone have opinions on introductory rates? I was thinking of setting up a coupon system and posting flyer's at churches and tuxedo rentals, and bride shops, etc. If someone brings me my card back ill knock off money from which ever package they choose? Do you think thats a good idea? Im also in the midst of setting up a website, but i dont know what im doing there...a bit frustrating. Any thoughts on any of this would really help me out.

Thanks
 
always base ure prices on your area...

im in MD in a suburb near DC

my going rate is 1000 for the ceramony 500 for the reception and if another camera is needed i add another 500+ onto it for another operator.

Never underestimate what your time is worth, and if people dont want to pay you the money you want for your time...then tell them politly to get lost...

every one is always looking for a deal, and if they dont want to spend the money on quality work then let them save their money for uncle joes video production where they can have a nice handycam wedding for free, and thats 30 hours less i have to work on editing and producing their event.

As for getting your name out there....
My aunt owns a wedding cake shope "fancy cakes by leslie" she just won the home town wedding thing for the today show, so im working on putting a demo in her shop with some pamplets and a portable dvd player showcasing what i am able to do, weddings, bar/bat mitsvas....and the like

it really is all about getting ure name...

weddings in the warmer months
and bar/batmitsvas all year round...its steady work but it does get old...

so befor you spend your money and get a lot of gear... make sure you have jobs lined up...
also look into a contract check mine out if you like...im still in the process of revising ...

http://www.sonofasockmaker.com/documents/contract.doc
 
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for the information, Your aunts shop is a great way to advertise, I have two people that I know who work very close with the church. Hopefully those connections will help me out a little. Thanks for the tips, although i have spent quite a bit of money already on a dvx = ). it came with a lot of goodies though. Thanks again for your time, good luck to you and your business.
 
As a veteran wedding videographer, I just wanted to let you know that most reception halls won't let videographers/photographers work without proof of insurance, especially workman's comp. Just something that you might want to look into.
 
thats why in my contract i put the liablity on the client....

if they are not fond of that, then i work a deal with them.

even though i have insurance, i use it for must haves...
 
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