What an overwhelming event...
Today was my first experience into the world of Bridal Shows in Grand Rapids. I helped fellow wedding vendor, Steve Haieshutter of "We'll Shoot You" Video Productions, man his booth at the event. The event was sponsored by Bunny Tuxedos, who held the event for the 38th year at Devos Place in Grand Rapids.
The first thing I thought of as I walked in the door before everyone else did this morning was, "Oh, My! How do you find anything in here!" With a great stage and fashion show as the headlining event at 1:30pm, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the number of vendors at the event! Bunny's, by far, runs the best show in town and all the vendors will tell you that! But I, as a friend, helping a friend, was overwhelmed - I can't imagine what the bride getting married on September 20, 2008 felt like! Below you'll read more about why I am a member of the best Grand Rapids' wedding tool Grand Rapids Dream Weddings, but first, here is my philosophy on the photo business in general!
My philosophy in the wedding industry is that good service happens because as a vendor I am able to develop a relationship with my client. My business for the past 4 years has been about 75% referral based. The idea being, I photograph one client, they enjoy the experience and the photographs and they therefore tell their friends about my services. In fact, from a 2006 Grand Rapids wedding, I have since booked 2 other brides from that single event! In Lansing, from one 2006 wedding, I have booked 3 other weddings because the couples saw how I worked on the day of and liked what they saw as the final product!
At the bridal show though, all I saw was vendor after vendor saying "Here are our show stopper prices - are you interested in booking?" In the wedding industry you definitely get what you pay for. Don't forget, there is a reason that honeymoon is so cheap. Or, there is a reason that photographer only cost $495 - you're probably not getting much. I know it's a sad reality today, when clients are just dying for good service - they simply want to be treated right! I feel that any client that comes to me, whether they use my services right away or not, is a lifetime client. The last thing I want to portray is a pushy salesman looking for them to bite at the big shiny sticker that's "this week's special".
Obviously, the idea of a bridal show is great and getting all the vendors together so you can meet all the vendors you need is great. I guess my philosophy is different though. Anyone can have a booth at a show - if I recommend another vendor, it is because first I've seen their work and I think it's great. Second, I know them personally and they are going to treat you just as well as I'd treat you. (I can't imagine referring a person to a business that I hadn't used). And finally, I trust that person can meet your needs.
That is why I'm a member of Grand Rapids Dream Weddings. As they photographer for the group, I personally know and have worked with all the vendors in the association. We are not another West Michigan Wedding Association, where anyone with $200 can join. We are a group of vendors who genuinely want to make a Bride and Groom's day the best it possibly can be. We all know how the others work, so it makes the wedding process seamless and easy! I know what you're saying, the wedding process JUST CAN'T BE EASY!! But I'm here to say that the vendors associated with the Grand Rapids wedding group Grand Rapids Dream Weddings is a force that can make your day perfect.
So, hopefully the brides found today helpful down at Devos Place. If you're interested in some of the better vendors I met today, here is a quick list and description:
The first thing I thought of as I walked in the door before everyone else did this morning was, "Oh, My! How do you find anything in here!" With a great stage and fashion show as the headlining event at 1:30pm, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the number of vendors at the event! Bunny's, by far, runs the best show in town and all the vendors will tell you that! But I, as a friend, helping a friend, was overwhelmed - I can't imagine what the bride getting married on September 20, 2008 felt like! Below you'll read more about why I am a member of the best Grand Rapids' wedding tool Grand Rapids Dream Weddings, but first, here is my philosophy on the photo business in general!
My philosophy in the wedding industry is that good service happens because as a vendor I am able to develop a relationship with my client. My business for the past 4 years has been about 75% referral based. The idea being, I photograph one client, they enjoy the experience and the photographs and they therefore tell their friends about my services. In fact, from a 2006 Grand Rapids wedding, I have since booked 2 other brides from that single event! In Lansing, from one 2006 wedding, I have booked 3 other weddings because the couples saw how I worked on the day of and liked what they saw as the final product!
At the bridal show though, all I saw was vendor after vendor saying "Here are our show stopper prices - are you interested in booking?" In the wedding industry you definitely get what you pay for. Don't forget, there is a reason that honeymoon is so cheap. Or, there is a reason that photographer only cost $495 - you're probably not getting much. I know it's a sad reality today, when clients are just dying for good service - they simply want to be treated right! I feel that any client that comes to me, whether they use my services right away or not, is a lifetime client. The last thing I want to portray is a pushy salesman looking for them to bite at the big shiny sticker that's "this week's special".
Obviously, the idea of a bridal show is great and getting all the vendors together so you can meet all the vendors you need is great. I guess my philosophy is different though. Anyone can have a booth at a show - if I recommend another vendor, it is because first I've seen their work and I think it's great. Second, I know them personally and they are going to treat you just as well as I'd treat you. (I can't imagine referring a person to a business that I hadn't used). And finally, I trust that person can meet your needs.
That is why I'm a member of Grand Rapids Dream Weddings. As they photographer for the group, I personally know and have worked with all the vendors in the association. We are not another West Michigan Wedding Association, where anyone with $200 can join. We are a group of vendors who genuinely want to make a Bride and Groom's day the best it possibly can be. We all know how the others work, so it makes the wedding process seamless and easy! I know what you're saying, the wedding process JUST CAN'T BE EASY!! But I'm here to say that the vendors associated with the Grand Rapids wedding group Grand Rapids Dream Weddings is a force that can make your day perfect.
So, hopefully the brides found today helpful down at Devos Place. If you're interested in some of the better vendors I met today, here is a quick list and description:
- Shutterbooth.com - Kim and her husband created this amazing idea in the Detroit area! I think it has potential to grow in the GR area too!
- Gillis Family Chiropractic - Dr. Ben was downtown in GR hoping to help those interested start off with healthy 2008!
- Grand Lux Ballrooms - Kent from Grand Lux Ballrooms returned to the GR area to build a destination location from the ground up! Can't wait to see it March 29th!
Labels: bunny tuxedos, grand rapids bridal show, overwhelming
posted by Tiberius | 11:56 PM
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