Chicago Wedding Films

Tips for Brides: You can still say "yes" to video but "no" to expensive weddings!

There was a recent article in the USA Today newspaper (lifestyle section) titled "Couple's say I don't to expensive weddings" 

In the article, it offered ways brides have saved money or cut back on spending. There is nothing wrong with not spending what you don't have.

Having said that, I would strongly urge brides to NOT cut out a videographer on their wedding day.   Regardless of the size or cost of your wedding, it is still a day you will want to relive again and again (especially on your anniversary or once children come along).  With only photos, you won't be able to "hear" your vows, dad's toast to you, or watch and listen to your first dance, etc.

Think about your favorite movie, concert or play:  Would you rather have a book of still images from the event or would you like to watch the event again on DVD?  Of course you would want the DVD!  Your wedding day is more important so getting a wedding video on DVD should be a no-brainer!

One former bride of mine called me 12 years later (she wanted to get her VHS wedding video transferred to DVD).  She told her she has four children now and that her daughter is wearing out their VHS wedding video by watching it so much!  She said her children love to watch her wedding video!  She also said she enjoys seeing her father and grandparents (in the video) who have since passed away. One of her favorite scenes is watching her dad walk her down the aisle.  She said her wedding video means more to her now then when she first got it!  (I already knew that since I hear that over and over again from my past brides).

DOCUMENTARY PACKAGE VS. CINEMATIC PACKAGE:   As the owner of Elegant Videos by Kris, I have had some brides tell me that they want a great video but must watch their costs.  I have a "documentary" package where the bride can still get two-camera coverage with two videographers.  You don't have to sacrifice great camera & audio coverage.  A documentary package is two-camera coverage of the events edited in a straight forward manner whereas the cinematic package involves more artistic & cinematic editing, more audio drop-ins, etc.  Less time spent in the editing suite means less cost for you.   Please call me at 630-876-9604 or visit my website for more information.   Your investment is customized based on hours of coverage, location and what other add-ons you would like to have.  Remember, a great video isn't expensive, it's priceless!

website:  www.ElegantVideosByKris.com

studio:  630-876-9604

Find us on Facebook:  Friends of Elegant Videos by Kris (Chicago Wedding Films)

For more information on saving money on videography, see my May 8, 2009 blog post.

Heritage Makers storybooks featured on Good Morning America (July 6, 2009)

TURN DIRECT SELL PASSION INTO CASH on ABC's Good Morning America  

Heritage Makers is featured on Good Morning America as a great to make extra cash (as a consultant for the products).   Watch the VIDEO segment here. 

As an Independent Heritage Makers consultant, I would like to add that I have many happy clients and they usually shed a tear when their book arrives.  Not sure how many people shed a tear when their make-up or kitchen utensil arrives.  The key phrase is passion.   I love helping people preserve their family memories.   I've been doing this for over 20 years with my videography, and the storybook is just another tool I use to help people  preserve their special memories.   If you are the family memory keeper and/and love taking photos, chances are you will enjoy selling (and using) these products!   If you are a videographer/photographer, this is another income stream you can add to your business.   A photo montage with a storybook goes hand-in-hand.   This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme, so if you aren't willing to put some effort into it, chances are you won't succeed. 

 I am a Heritage Makers consultant in Chicago, but I have clients and a team of consultants all across the United States.  To learn more, visit Elegant Storybooks by Kris or call me (Kris) at 630-876-9604.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE BELOW:

Turn Direct Sell Passion Into Cash

Make Cash With Direct Sales

By TORY JOHNSON
Workplace Contributor

July 6, 2009—

Direct selling is a proven moneymaker when times are tough. The numbers tell the story: During the 1990 recession, the number of direct sellers grew to more than 5 million. In the 2001 recession, that number jumped to more than 12 million. In 2007, there were 15 million direct sellers  and rising. Direct selling brought in more than $30 billion in the United States alone.

It's not easy. To succeed in direct sales, you really have to hustle. It's like running your own business; your effort (or lack of) will make your sales sink or swim. The people who are making money now in direct sales work on their business every single day; it's front and center on their minds and in their actions.

It's not get-rich-quick. The median income is about $2,500 a year, which means a couple hundred dollars a month  perhaps enough to pay down a credit card bill. For active sellers, the median jumps to $6,000 a year.

If you think it's for you, there are several details to consider.

What's in a name? When you hear Mary Kay or Avon, you know exactly what they sell. You can dream of cruising around in a slick pink Cadillac as a Mary Kay superstar or jetting off to the Bahamas for a luxurious vacation, as Avon's top sellers did recently. Everyone knows the product and there's a history of quality, which may make you feel most comfortable.

The potential challenge: Since everyone knows the product, you may have an uphill battle carving out a customer base because existing fans may already be aligned with their favorite seller.

Lesser-known companies will lack the multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns to generate awareness for their brand, so you'll have to work overtime taking on the challenge of introducing new product lines.

Clever Container, for example, is a relatively new line of organizing products with only about 100 consultants nationwide. You could be the one to introduce friends to its products by hosting Tupperware-style parties, which the company calls organizing workshops, for every part of the home.

Money, money, money. There are three financial questions you have to ask before you get involved with any direct selling company: what are the startup costs?; what's your commission or realistic earning potential, and what's the refund policy if you decide it's not for you?

Startup costs. You will have to pay some upfront costs to cover product samples, training materials, order forms, and the opportunity to sell. The amount varies widely from company to company; don't just look at the cost, be sure to examine what exactly you're getting for your money.

Cookie Lee, a moderately priced trendy jewelry company, has three different starter kits ranging from $99 to over $500.

Look at commissions. Cookie Lee and Mary Kay, for example, offer a 50 percent base commission. That means if you sell a $30 product, you'll pocket $15 on the sale.

Check out the refund policy. Let's say you buy a startup kit and find that direct selling just isn't for you. If the company is a member of the Direct Selling Association, its code of ethics requires the company to buy back unused/unopened material within a year for at least 90 percent of the purchase price.

Sell what you love. When choosing a direct sales company, passion is the key word. You should choose something you would use yourself, something that complements your lifestyle.

For example, if your family loves games, Simply Fun is a company that sells more than 85 games for all ages. These are exclusive products; customers can only buy them from you.

If you're a scrapbooker, you can sell products by Heritage Makers. They sell greeting cards, posters, scrapbooks, albums  lots of things for that hobby.

And who wouldn't come to a chocolate party? Dove Chocolate Discoveries just launched nationally last year, and as a chocolatier, as the sellers are called, you can invite friends over to indulge in -- and buy  treats  everything from candy to chocolate martinis to brownie mix.

No matter what you decide, remember that direct selling is selling. Even the best products won't sell themselves if you're not actively soliciting customers and promoting your business. To make money, you'll have to wear your sales hat.

Tory Johnson is the workplace contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America" and the CEO of Women For Hire. Connect with her at www.womenforhire.com or chat with her on Twitter.com/ToryJohnson.

 

Tips for Brides: Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

Tips for Brides:  Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

As a professional videographer for over 20 years, I get frustrated when I hear others (not in the videography business) give advice to brides on how to save money on wedding videography!  Having a friend videotape your wedding or totally skipping videography is not the way to save money!   Married women confirm this in the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides (the only survey of brides done AFTER the wedding regarding their wedding video).  Read the WEVA survey in its entirety.

The Wedding & Event Videographers Associational, International (WEVA) decided to address the current economic situation of our industry.  As the WEVA Public Relations Chairperson, I worked with the committee to come up with some money tips for those who need to scale back due to the current recession.   

 Read the entire WEVA News Story here

WEVA PR Committee Addresses The Current Economic Situation of Our Industry
May 07, 2009

Sarasota, FL - The present economy is impacting the way our industry does business…even weddings are not immune from some of the effects. Recently in the majority of the Bridal Media there have been numerous articles and shows devoted entirely to “saving Brides money”. This type of promotion is not new, but with the current state of the economy, there is certainly more emphasis on this subject not only for weddings, but everything from grocery shopping to purchasing big-ticket items.

“This is an important issue every one of our members and in fact to all wedding professionals,” states Dan Argenas, WEVA Director of Association Communications. He goes on to say, “Our PR Committee has done an amazing first step in educating couples when they are searching for a videographer. It is important that we get the message out there and this will give us some excellent ammunition when speaking with the Bridal
Media in behalf of our industry.”

For example, one suggestion by a bridal consultant in California was to have a friend or relative of the Bride/Groom shoot the entire wedding day with a video camera, then hire a professional to edit the footage. Those of us in the industry know this is equal to a “disaster waiting to happen”.
However, just the fact this was mentioned in a mainstream media source warranted WEVA’s concern of the ramifications it could have on our industry and more importantly on how the brides thought about choosing to do their wedding video.

The WEVA PR Committee went to work to draft a couple of tips for the media. The PR Committee members are Kris Malandruccolo of Elegant Videos by Kris, Steve Moses of Vantage Point Productions, Mike Nelson of Remember When Films and Al Ritondo of Personal Touch Video. There were a number of factors considered as the wording of the release was discussed, debated and finally completed. First was the obvious point that many couples are looking very closely at their budgets and in some cases, reworking them. Many videographers have already adjusted and re-worked packages and services, and adjusted their packages to coincide with this issue. Taking this into account the Committee looked at what could be done to minimize the effect on the finished product/wedding film, while offering some money-saving tips for the couples. The other factor was that a recent WEVA survey shows that Videography becomes much more important to a couple AFTER they are married and that almost half of those couples who did use a family friend or a relative regretted it. Following is a summary of the Committee’s response.

Brides On A Budget: How To Save Money on Wedding Videography

We understand that the current economic conditions are making everyone look twice at their wedding budget. We would also like to offer a couple of money-saving tips to all WEVA members to communicate to their couples when they are considering their services as a professional videographer.

First, as our national survey shows, there is no substitute for a professional videographer. Half of those surveyed who had a friend or relative record their wedding would tell you, DON’T! Your wedding is too important a day to leave in the hands of well-meaning friends and amateur videographers. There is no
“take two” on your wedding day and it must be captured correctly the first time. Their advice: Invest in a professional. If your couples are looking for ways to reduce their videography budget, one way is by reducing the total hours of coverage. For example, the videographer can start the coverage at the ceremony instead of the pre-ceremony coverage at a Bride’s home. The hours of coverage at the reception could also be reduced, especially if all the key events are completed early. Another money saving tip is to suggest a “documentary” style of editing as opposed to an “artistic” style of editing. Artistic and cinematic editing involves more hours to edit, so that will add to the cost of the package.

Where should one begin to search for a professional videographer? Ask their family and friends for a
recommendation. Videographers can also be found on the Wedding & Event Videographers Association, International (WEVA) website (www.WEVA.com). Once there, click on the Brides Guide tab on the left. While there, look at the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides, which is the only survey of married brides. This survey shows that 98% of married brides recommend that future brides get their wedding videotaped. Let a WEVA member capture the emotion of your wedding day so you can share it with future generations to come!

Tips for Chicago Brides: Bridal Attire Shopping & Win a Wedding Gown!

Tips for Brides:  Bridal Attire Shopping & Win a Free Gown:  Enter here with the drawing to be held on July 30, 2009

The following information is courtesy of Jane Skarosi, the owner of the Bridal Mansion of Lisle in Lisle, IL.   Jane is both a Master Bridal Consultant (for her Weddings by Jane consulting business) and a Master Wedding Vendor (for her wedding gown business) through the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Budgeting:  Bridal Gowns can range from less than $400 to over $3000.  The National and Chicagoland average for a wedding gown is $850.00  Additional expenses include alterations and accessories.

Decision:  For your best shopping experience, we suggest you bring only your mother or trusted friend, someone whose opinion you value and is supportive of you.  For the best shopping experience, leave small children at home.

Ordering:  In general, Manufacturers require 5 to 8 months to fill a dress order.  Bridal gowns usually take the full 20 to 32 weeks, with bridesmaid dresses taking about 12 to 16 weeks.  Most brides order their bridal gowns 6 months to a year in advance of their wedding date.

Jane can give your more detailed information, and speak with you further about styles, sizing, fitting, alterations, steaming, headpieces, etc! 

Win a free gown:  Courtesy of the Bridal Mansion of Lisle and the Wedding Guide Chicago magazine, you can enter to win a free bridal gown!  The drawing will be held on July 30, 2009.

I have known Jane for over 10 years.  We have worked together and we are fellow members in the Illinois Chapter of the Association Bridal Consultants.   I am very comfortable recommending Jane as a bridal consultant and as a wedding gown specialist.  We've had several conversations where she has shared personal stories of going the extra mile for her clients.   Please do not hesitate to contact Jane at 630-852-1956 (Bridal Mansion of Lisle) or at 630-292-1181 (Weddings by Jane).   When you contact Jane, be sure and tell her "Kris of Elegant Videos by Kris recommended you."

Here's a picture I took of Jane Skaraosi (with my iphone) at the March 2009 ABC Meeting held at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL.

Tips for Brides: Try the Lynfred Winery for your wedding event or perfect getaway!

 

Tips for Brides:  Try the Lynfred Winery for your wedding event, special occasion or bed & breakfast getaway.

The Lynfred Winery is a hidden gem in the suburbs of Chicago!  

Recently, I had the pleasure of touring the Lynfred Winery in Roselle, IL.  This winery is the oldest and largest winery in Illinois.   They offer wine tastings and tours, and four beautiful suites for a honeymoon or anniversary getaway!  

Lynfred Winery (named after the owners, Lyn & Fred) offers private events for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and other special events up to 40 people and up to 60 people for standing-only events.  They also offer two private rooms to host a coporate or teamwork outing. 

This is the entrance to the winery.  You aren't seeing hanging Christmas lights, but ivy.  Spring is just starting in the Chicago area and the ivy hasn't started to grow yet, but once it does, it's gorgeous! 

Lynfred offers a great array of international award-winning wines!  All made in its cellar below.

Lynfred Winery can even host events in the cellar, including dinner.   Contact Lisa Klus, Events Director, at 630-529-WINE for more information.

There is a glass floor where you can look down into the cellar.  Everyone on the tour walked to the side of the glass, not me, I walked right down the middle.

 This is part of the Italian suite - one of four suites at the winery (and my favorite one).  The bathroom is amazing with a large jacuzzi tub and separate shower all in stone/tile and pillars.  These suites are amazing!

 

I am here with fellow members of the Illinois Chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants. I've been an ABC member since 1997, and I am the only videographer who is a Master Wedding Vendor.

My favorite wine? Sangria! The best wine I ever had was this Sangria at an outdoor cafe in Barcelona, Spain.  They served these fishbowls of Sangria that were out of this world!!

Tips for Brides: Great Customer Service at Zales Jewelers

Tips for Brides:  I had a situation where I am pleased to report I received great customer service at Zales Jewelers in St. Charles, IL.   If you need jewelery, do not hesitate to go to there.

  There's an old marketing saying that when a company screws up, you tell 15 people, but when a company does good, you tell 2 people (or something like that).  I'm here to tell a good story and hopefully increase that number.  Great customer service can make the difference between going back to a company - or not.

I went to Zales Jewelers because I had a stone fall out of my mother's ring.  I saved the stone and took it in to have it remounted.   The ring came back with the stone mounted, but there were no prongs holding it in place.   I said I couldn't accept this ring as the stone might fall out again, and I wanted the prongs to match the ones on the other stones.  I called a couple of times to find out if it was ready and it wasn't.    I called today and it was finally ready.   They apologized for not calling when it came in.  I picked up my ring today, and as I was reaching into my purse to get my wallet, the manager thanked me for my business and told me it was "no charge" since it took so long to come back.  I was happily surprised by this as I didn't ask for a price reduction, and had no expectation of getting it for free!  I was just my happy ol' self so it's not like he gave it to me for free because I was complaining.   I know things happen and in the big scheme of life, having a ring come back later than expected is not worth yelling at someone.   Needless to say, I will bring my business back to Zales and will tell people how nice they were - even though they didn't have to be.  Zales Rocks!

 

Tips for Brides: Unique & Affordable Wedding & Bridal Party Gifts that get you Cookin'

 Tips for Brides:  Unique & Affordable Wedding & Bridal Party Gifts that get you Cookin'

Many brides like to give out personalized gifts to their bridal party.  Here's a new twist on an old favorite:   A personalized Cookbook!!! 

(To order this cookbook, contact Kris at 630-876-9604 or visit ElegantStorybooksByKris.com)

 A Bridal Party Gift:  Ask your bridal party members, grandparents, parents, the new in-laws, etc. to send you their favorite recipes.  Ask if they can include a photo too.   You can then create the cookbook online, order copies and give them out as gifts.   This cookbook will be so meaningful because it has recipes from all the people so near and dear to you!   Everytime they make a recipe from the cookbook, they will think of you!   This is a gift they will use and keep FORVER!

A Wedding Gift:   Bridesmaids and others can take this same idea and surprise the bride with her "first cookbook" made up of recipes from these same special people!    You can even make a "wedding gift basket" by including the cookbook with the ingredients to make her first meal as a married woman!  With the popularity of cooking shows, this is sure to be a big hit!!

This cookbook is so affordable!  It's only $24.95 (but for 4 days only, 2/23-2/26/09, they are selling for $14.95 each!).   As your personal publishing consultant, I am ready to help you get started!!

Read the details below:

The New Heritage Makers Cookbook is here. And to celebrate, we are having a big preview sale! You customize the cook book with your favorite recipes and photos!

For 4 days only, (Monday, February 23 – Thursday, February 26, 2009) you can get 4 cookbooks for $59.95. That’s JUST $15 for each cookbook!

That’s huge savings because the normal retail price for this product when it officially debuts on March 3rd will be $24.95. So you have the chance to save $39 by being one of the first to get your publishing credits in your Heritage Studio Account! You'll have a whole year to create & complete your cookbook, but I bet you'll want to give one to your sister, mom, grandma, in-laws, or friends well before next February!

Have you seen our new cook book? It's awesome! Check out this flyer for more information:http://support.heritagemakers.com/comm/promo/2009/cookbook/CookbookPresale09Flyer.pdf

Cookbook features:
-21 pages and can go up to 50 pages ($1/page for extra pages).
-Spiral bound and the front cover is a trifold that folds out!
-Size is about 7.5"x9.5"(portrait style)
-There will be some great templates in the Heritage Makers template gallery starting March 3rd (these templates are 100% editable so you an put as many recipes or pictures as you want on a page)- or you can completely design your own! You can even enter your design into our cookbook design contest and win free books!

This SPECIAL offer is ONLY available through ME and for FOUR days only! (Feb. 23-26, 2009). This is a GREAT time to buy for MOTHER'S DAY gifts or to plan for FAMILY REUNION COOKBOOKS this summer!

This design was intended for cookbooks but you could use it for so much more! Not only a cookbook but a . . .
Day planner
Address book
A class year book-which is a great ideas since the front cover opens up triple the normal size and it provides blank space for year book signings!
I am sure the ideas are endless, please send me yours!

EVERYONE will love them and they are SO affordable! ORDER NOW! Contact Kris today at 630-876-9604 or Kris@ElegantStorybooksByKris.com and I'll help you get started.

 

 

 

Tips for Brides: Make your "First Christmas Together" special by doing this!

Tips for Brides:  Make your official "First Christmas Together" special by making a Wedding Christmas Tree.   There is no need in your first year together to go out and spend a ton of money on Christmas decorations - especially meaningless decorations that hold no sentimental value.   All you need is probably in your home right now.

You can make a wedding tree and relive your wedding memories over again by decorating your tree in white lights and hanging special wedding memories on your tree.  For example, take your wedding greeting cards and hole punch them.  You can hang the cards on your tree using ribbon in the colors of your wedding. You can read all the special wishes again as you hang them on your tree.  You can also hang up your wedding invitation, program, dinner menu, etc.   How about making your veil, tiara, etc. your "tree topper"?  How about putting your really cute wedding shoes at the "bottom" of the tree - sticking out so you can see them?  You can also get inexpensive beads at the dollar store.  Did you hand out special favors?  Hang a few of those on the tree as well.   How about making your "wedding slip" the tree skirt?   Why not use your wedding memorabilia one last time before you store it away for good. 

Naturally, you want to include photos from your wedding and honeymoon as well.   An inexpensive thing to do is to make color copies of photos on your home printer and laminate them - hole punch and hang with a ribbon!   I also suggest buying a few of those dated "Our First Christmas" together ornaments.   That's us in the photo - circa 1985.

What we have done over the years is buy a special ornament from each place where we have gone on vacation.  We also have added family photos, baby's first christmas photos, hand-made ornaments from our kids, our favorite sports teams, etc. I'll even buy keychains and use them as ornaments. Each ornament on our tree has its own special story and its fun to reminisce as we pull out the ornaments every year!   Our kids love reliving their memories as they help hang the ornaments.  This is a family tree so perfection is not required.  Over time, I have amassed three huge plastic containers of ornaments and a 9 ft. tree! 

May you all have a wonderful "first Christmas" and don't forget to start your own personal traditions as your begin your married life together!