hey ladies i have some Q

mmedov01

well it has been like over 4 months and since i loved planning my wedding, me and my SIL we decided to open a business wedding planning. And plus we have no jobs, since we cant find a job so we are going to try to do this since i loved planning and i think every bride wants a wonderful and beautiful day.

 So my Q is do you think it can work, i mean are there any nesties that own a business? I am kinda scared. Any advice?

I know we will do great meaning help brides.

thanx

Rita

UMwife

I think anything could work if you set your mind to it and got through the proper channels to advertise. Maybe you can try checking with the girls on the knot and offering a special to do it for a very small fee as an introductory rate.

Wife2DJ

GL first of all. Secondly, I agree I would set up the business plan and then go onto the knot and do a couple of wedding for free/cheap in order to get your feet wet as well as the word out there

mmedov01

yeah i am sure it wil be ok.

I can't really go on the knot to our knotties and tell them. It is against the rules, no advertising.

Yeah it would be great, we would do it for cheap in the beginning, so we can just get into it.

Rita

UMwife

Then don't make it an advertisement. Just make it an offer. Like "hey girls..I'm starting something new and I was wondering if anyone would be interested. Totally free, just trying it out to get my feet wet." Would that work, or is that against the rules on the knot too?? I know there are a couple girls here who do offers like that.

MRSaphrodites

Something you can do is advertise on craigslist. I've seen several listing. Just say trying to gain experience will do wedding planning for super cheap. Gl!!

TtotheG

::raises hand:: HI! I'm desperate. I've been engaged for 6 months and haven't done ANYTHING as far as wedding planning. I can be your guinea pig

mmedov01

omg, this is true we are going to post on craigslist.

 

Thanx

UMwife

Looks like you've got your first session.

::points to TtotheG::

GOOD LUCK!!

Wife2DJ

As long as you do not charge them, you can go to the knot. That's what Michi did when she designed invites, and Justine when she started wedding planning. The moment there is a $ exchange you are considered a vendor and are not allowed to post. I would do at least 3 weddings for free. Also, I would send a little something to other vendors (photgs, florists, ect) to get your name out there

mrs.exhibitv

I believe offering free services is against the rules now too. If it were me, I would set up a blog and do a "give away" or "introductory offer".  If you have any friends who are still on the knot, this way they can do a PSA post about the free DOC contest and then it will at least get traffic to your site.

mmedov01

yes thats what we are planning to do. We are just starting, so my Hubby is making a website and business cards. So we can get our name out.

And also i will contact my photo, makeup , and video to see if they can promot us and that way we can promot them.

 

Rita

mmedov01

TtotheG:

 

hey girl, when is your wedding?

 

Rita

TtotheG

April 24th, 2010

karenlisa714

I am pretty sure any sort of advertising is against the rules... even free. You better believe if I jumped on there and advertised free engagement sessions those knotties would be ALL over me reporting my butt!!! After they took advantage of my free session of course... LOL.

I'm a wedding photographer and I am always pretty careful of what I post even on the Nest and the Bump because I love this community and don't want to get in trouble.

I would definitely set up a business plan, read some books, and maybe take some classes. Starting your own business is NOT EASY. Trust me. It is VERY expensive and people think it is so easy to just start your business because you planned your own wedding or you can take some great pictures of your dog on your digital Rebel.

Not to burst your bubble, but please be very careful and make sure that all of your bases are covered. You are not just getting experience for yourself, you are dealing with the most important day in someone's life.... their wedding day! With photography that is especially important since as the photographer you have the only official documentation of the day. You canNOT screw up. It is a scary job sometimes, but I love it! It is the same for coordination too- you cannot mess things up for someone's wedding or your reputation will be ruined!

Anyway, just take that into consideration.... Do the research and make sure you are prepared for the enormous amount of work that goes into being a great wedding designer/coordinator!

If you still think you want to do it... I will definitely be here as a resource for you as a professional photographer! Feel free to email me any time if you want to collaborate or if you and your sister need some headshots for your website.   karen@theweddingcouple.com