Many of our packages include a DVD of high resolution images, but are you able to quickly and easily re-size them for online use? Now, you won't need to! Book your 2010 wedding with Gardner Photography & Design and receive all of your digital images in a smaller size - perfect for emailing or posting to Facebook, My Space or other online sites.
Just mention the Face-Space Deal when you contact us, and we'll add this to your package at no additional charge.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Our 2010 Calendar is Filling Up!
Over the weekend, we booked two more weddings for this Fall - and possibly a Bat Mitzvah for June. Our calendar is definitely filling up - and we're excited about all of our upcoming events. We've got so many awesome couples again this year....and some very cool venues!
But we still have some dates open for 2010 - so, if you're looking for a creative, professional, affordable photographer for your wedding, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or event, please consider Gardner Photography & Design! We can customize any of our packages and offer all the great extras you would want or expect.
But we still have some dates open for 2010 - so, if you're looking for a creative, professional, affordable photographer for your wedding, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or event, please consider Gardner Photography & Design! We can customize any of our packages and offer all the great extras you would want or expect.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A New Venue - 20th Century Theater
We just booked a wedding for this Fall (with an awesome couple!), and it will take place at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley. I'm very excited! It's a cool, fun couple and a cool place - I think there will be tons of great photo opportunities, so the creative juices are already flowing.
I'm in that area all the time and dread the construction - but the Bride told me they were assured it should be gone by their wedding. Let's hope! I can see some street photos outside the theater - or in the grassy area across the street. When I do my site visit this summer, I'll really check it all out and make my notes.
Congrats, K&M, and thanks for choosing us for your upcoming wedding! We can't wait!
I'm in that area all the time and dread the construction - but the Bride told me they were assured it should be gone by their wedding. Let's hope! I can see some street photos outside the theater - or in the grassy area across the street. When I do my site visit this summer, I'll really check it all out and make my notes.
Congrats, K&M, and thanks for choosing us for your upcoming wedding! We can't wait!
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Wedding Budget - How Much on What?
So, you set your budget....ish. And now you're trying to decide how much to spend on all the things you need, right? Venue, flowers, dress, photographer, etc. Most Brides and Grooms will spend the bulk of their budget on food, drinks and reception or venue site fee. But...what about the rest?
Here is a rough guideline of where your money will go:
Venue/Reception (site, food, drink): 42%
Wedding Rings: 8% (this doesn't include your engagement ring)
Photography: 8%
Flowers: 6%
Rehearsal Dinner: 6%
Wedding Dress: 5% (this assumes ONE dress, although some Brides have more)
Videography: 5%
Reception Music: 4% (this could be a DJ, band or both)
Groom's Formal wear: 3%
Hair/make-up for Bride (and usually bridal party): 2%
Invitations and announcements: 2% (this might also include your Thank You cards)
Ceremony Music: 2%
Church/Synagogue/Ceremony Location: 2% (assuming it's different from the reception location)
Wedding Cake: 2%
Transportation: 2%
Favors: 1%
The average cost for a wedding is now between $21,000 and $24,000. For a $21,000 budget, you should plan to spend approximately $1,700 on your photographer. Gardner Photography & Design has the perfect package for your budget:
All that for only $1,500 - so, you'll even have $200 left to spend on your honeymoon (or extra bling for yourself...shhhhh....we won't tell the Groom).
Want some helpful tips on cutting your budget? Check out They'll Never Know: Eight Hidden Ways to Cut Wedding Costs.
Here is a rough guideline of where your money will go:
Venue/Reception (site, food, drink): 42%
Wedding Rings: 8% (this doesn't include your engagement ring)
Photography: 8%
Flowers: 6%
Rehearsal Dinner: 6%
Wedding Dress: 5% (this assumes ONE dress, although some Brides have more)
Videography: 5%
Reception Music: 4% (this could be a DJ, band or both)
Groom's Formal wear: 3%
Hair/make-up for Bride (and usually bridal party): 2%
Invitations and announcements: 2% (this might also include your Thank You cards)
Ceremony Music: 2%
Church/Synagogue/Ceremony Location: 2% (assuming it's different from the reception location)
Wedding Cake: 2%
Transportation: 2%
Favors: 1%
The average cost for a wedding is now between $21,000 and $24,000. For a $21,000 budget, you should plan to spend approximately $1,700 on your photographer. Gardner Photography & Design has the perfect package for your budget:
- 1 Photographer (Up to 7 hours; each additional hour at $100)
- Up to 3 locations (within 50 mile radius)
- Download high resolution images from private, online gallery, DVD of images with Letter of Release allowing you to make your own prints.
- 12.5” x 10" Custom Hard Cover Coffee Table Book, 10 pages, with custom cover
- $100 credit/coupon towards print photo order (from gallery only)
- Engagement Session (1 hour, 1 location)
All that for only $1,500 - so, you'll even have $200 left to spend on your honeymoon (or extra bling for yourself...shhhhh....we won't tell the Groom).
Want some helpful tips on cutting your budget? Check out They'll Never Know: Eight Hidden Ways to Cut Wedding Costs.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bride's Choice Award 2010
Thank you to all the Brides who gave us such awesome reviews! We couldn't have done it without you guys.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thriller Reception
More fun at receptions! I need to learn this dance...all I know is the Electric Slide!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Wedding Venue : The Madison
On March 5, 2010, we shot our first event at The Madison in Covington, Kentucky. I've heard a lot about this venue and was excited to check it out!
The reception was actually at The Madison South, located at 740 Madison Avenue Covington KY 41011. It's a cool, little place - with lots of exposed brick walls, HUGE mirrors, leather chairs, curtains, etc. Many opportunities for some great photos!
Unfortunately, we didn't get a lot of time to do some of those cool photos. The Bride and Groom decided to ride around in the limo with the wedding party for an hour after the wedding - hey, it's cool. It was their day, after all, so they can do whatever they want, right? Gave me lots of time to photograph the cake and other details....
We did get all the reception photos with barely a minute to spare - the DJ and I definitely worked together to make sure nothing was missed!
So, speaking of those huge mirrors - I did use one to get some interesting lighting on the rings/flower shots. I bounced my light off the mirror and got some back lights - which gave the diamonds a different look. Check it out.
We certainly hope we'll be back at The Madison soon! I had so many ideas for photos! Hopefully, I get the opportunity to try some of them out soon!
Are you considering your wedding at The Madison or The Madison South? We'd love to talk to you! (And hey - I'd even be willing to offer you a special discount, so I can get back there and try out some of my photo ideas.) Contact us at contact@gardner-photo.com or 513.207.6738.
The reception was actually at The Madison South, located at 740 Madison Avenue Covington KY 41011. It's a cool, little place - with lots of exposed brick walls, HUGE mirrors, leather chairs, curtains, etc. Many opportunities for some great photos!
Unfortunately, we didn't get a lot of time to do some of those cool photos. The Bride and Groom decided to ride around in the limo with the wedding party for an hour after the wedding - hey, it's cool. It was their day, after all, so they can do whatever they want, right? Gave me lots of time to photograph the cake and other details....
We did get all the reception photos with barely a minute to spare - the DJ and I definitely worked together to make sure nothing was missed!
So, speaking of those huge mirrors - I did use one to get some interesting lighting on the rings/flower shots. I bounced my light off the mirror and got some back lights - which gave the diamonds a different look. Check it out.
We certainly hope we'll be back at The Madison soon! I had so many ideas for photos! Hopefully, I get the opportunity to try some of them out soon!
Are you considering your wedding at The Madison or The Madison South? We'd love to talk to you! (And hey - I'd even be willing to offer you a special discount, so I can get back there and try out some of my photo ideas.) Contact us at contact@gardner-photo.com or 513.207.6738.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
To Tip or Not to Tip....?
Although some vendors will include gratuities in their bills - tipping is usually optional. Be sure to read contracts and bills carefully! A tip isn't always appropriate either, especially for professionals who own their own businesses. Instead, a personal note or gift is always appreciated. AND there's nothing better than referrals and good word-of-mouth.
However, if you are thinking of tipping, here are some guidelines to help you:
Bartenders: 10% of total liquor bill (this is split among them)
Bathroom Attendants: $1-2/per guest
Catering Manager: $200+ OR a personal gift
Chef: $100+
Coat Check Attendants: $1-2/per guest
Hairstylist: 15-20%
Hotel Chambermaids: $2-5/per room; $10-15 if you used a suite to get dressed in
Limo/Bus Drivers: 15%
Maitre d' or Head Waiter: 1-3% of food/beverage fee
Make-up Artist: 15-20% (unless the same person does your hair and make-up)
Musicians: 15% of fee for ceremony music; $25-50/per musician for reception
Photographer/Videographer: $100 - if you paid a flat fee without over time (otherwise a note or personal gift)
Valet/Parking Attendants: $1-2/per car
Waiters: $20+/each (this is usually distributed by the Catering Manager or Maitre d')
Wedding Planner: 15% of fee OR a personal gift
Again, these are JUST guidelines - so, don't feel badly if you don't tip everyone or tip everyone these exact amounts. You may decide to add/subtract based on the quality of the service, the size of your wedding, the location, the role played by a particular vendor, etc.
Gardner Photography & Design does NOT include any sort of gratuities or extra/hidden fees in our contracts. Instead of tips, we would love for you to post positive reviews of us and tell everyone you know about your fabulous experience with us! That's the best tip or gift we could ever receive - there's nothing better than you raving about us and remembering us for all your photographic needs. (Pssst.....we reward you if your referrals book, too....)
However, if you are thinking of tipping, here are some guidelines to help you:
Bartenders: 10% of total liquor bill (this is split among them)
Bathroom Attendants: $1-2/per guest
Catering Manager: $200+ OR a personal gift
Chef: $100+
Coat Check Attendants: $1-2/per guest
Hairstylist: 15-20%
Hotel Chambermaids: $2-5/per room; $10-15 if you used a suite to get dressed in
Limo/Bus Drivers: 15%
Maitre d' or Head Waiter: 1-3% of food/beverage fee
Make-up Artist: 15-20% (unless the same person does your hair and make-up)
Musicians: 15% of fee for ceremony music; $25-50/per musician for reception
Photographer/Videographer: $100 - if you paid a flat fee without over time (otherwise a note or personal gift)
Valet/Parking Attendants: $1-2/per car
Waiters: $20+/each (this is usually distributed by the Catering Manager or Maitre d')
Wedding Planner: 15% of fee OR a personal gift
Again, these are JUST guidelines - so, don't feel badly if you don't tip everyone or tip everyone these exact amounts. You may decide to add/subtract based on the quality of the service, the size of your wedding, the location, the role played by a particular vendor, etc.
Gardner Photography & Design does NOT include any sort of gratuities or extra/hidden fees in our contracts. Instead of tips, we would love for you to post positive reviews of us and tell everyone you know about your fabulous experience with us! That's the best tip or gift we could ever receive - there's nothing better than you raving about us and remembering us for all your photographic needs. (Pssst.....we reward you if your referrals book, too....)
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