14 Things Non-Texans Just Don't Understand

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Do Your RESEARCH - Discover the REAL Difference

     Just this past week, we were contacted by two separate Brides who had hired other photographers to photograph their weddings. However, they were both having buyer's remorse as the people that they had hired were not very professional - in communications, timeliness, quality of photography, and overall customer service.

     The main common theme in both of these other photographers was that neither were true professional photographers. Both were MWACs - mothers with a camera. Now before you throw darts at me, let me explain a few things. I have nothing against people owning cameras, especially to record things around their own household.

     But, that's where it needs to end. There are hundreds and hundreds of MWACs and Uncle Harry's out there that cannot be classified as professional. They do not earn the majority of their income with photographs they sell. Most, if not all, do not have a retail shop. Most, if not all, operate out of their house and meet people at Starbucks to conduct "business". A vast majority do not belong to the professional photography organizations (mainly because they can't get in or afford the dues). Most, if not all, do not carry $1 Million liability insurance (mainly because they can't afford it or don't see the need in in).

     Did you know that photographers who charge for their images are supposed to have a Limited Use Sales Tax number from the State, and that they are supposed to charge their customers sales tax, and that they are supposed to send the collected sales tax to the State? There are 10 times more photographers in any geographic area on the internet than there are registered with their State Government. And those who collect sales tax and don't send it to the State are breaking the law.

     But, like I said earlier, the market has been flooded with these amateur photographers claiming to be professionals and a lot of consumers are not doing their due diligence in researching the market. Unfortunately, most consumers are only asking who is the cheapest, and quite frankly, that's all their getting and after it's too late, they then complain about their budget photographer. But as I said, it's too late then.

     The 2 Brides who contacted us last week wised up before it was too late. THEY HAVE FIRED their original photographer (both MWACs). One of them has already booked us for their wedding and we're pretty confident the other one will do so this or next week.

     Do your research first so you don't have to go through what these 2 Brides have gone through.

10 Wedding Planning Secrets Every Bride Should Know - BONUS Part #11

BONUS SECRET #11

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE A MUST.

YOUABSOLUTELY DON’T WANT TO GIVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR WEDDING TO UNCLE HARRY OR SOMEONE WITH A “NICE” CAMERA.

 

     PROFESSIONAL photographers are trained to know and anticipate every important moment of your wedding day. An experienced professional wedding photographer will actually save you time and money.

     Inexperienced photographers, like Uncle Harry or the friend with a nice camera, do not possess the knowledge need to accurately cover your wedding day. Will you have a feeling that they may have missed important moments like the ring exchange, your first kiss,  or other important times?

     Hiring a professional wedding photographer is often viewed as a large expense and some ask how they can afford to have a photographer at their wedding. The truth is – you can’t afford to NOT have an experienced Professional Wedding Photographer. The images they are trained to capture – the amazing flowers, elegant table settings, Dad’s big smile, the look on the groom’s face at the very moment he sees you for the first time, the tear on Mom’s cheek as she sees her beautiful girl come down the aisle – these images are the images you want to help add the spice to your album.

     The photographs created at your wedding will be priceless treasures to you in coming years.


     Be sure to visit Southern Flair Photography's website at www.sflair.com. Southern Flair Photography is a full-time, full service professional wedding and portrait photography studio with deep roots in the Dallas -Ft. Worth area.

     Southern Flair Photography has a 4,200 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. In addition to it's large, well equipped camera room, Southern Flair also has an exclusive outdoor portrait garden with numerous sets for most any look.

    Specializing in high quality portraits of maternity, baby, toddler, children, high school seniors, engagements, bridals, family and corporate photography, Southern Flair's art can be found in some of the finest homes in the Southwest.

     Southern Flair Photography is also a leader in the wedding photography industry, having photographed over 3,800 weddings in the past 38 years.

10 Wedding Planning Secrets Every Bride Should Know - Part 10 of 10

SECRET #10

FIND AN EXPERIENCED WEDDING PLANNER – IF NOT FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS, THEN AT LEAST

FOR THE DAY OF YOUR WEDDING

 

     For most brides, the wedding day is one of the most important days of their lives. Every bride wants their wedding day to be perfect. And while this is something to strive for, it’s not likely that you can do it all yourself.

     Even if you possess the required organization, you may not have the required time, contacts, or resources. That’s why an experience wedding planner is worth their weight in gold to pull off the perfect wedding. An experienced wedding planner will work with you to ensure that your big day is designed to be elegant, romantic, luxurious, and amazing.

     Your better wedding planners will also find you the best deals and negotiate for you. Wedding planners spend a lot of time on your behalf.

     On your wedding day, you’ll want and need someone to help you coordinate your day, run errands for you, ensure people are where they need to be when they need to be there, and keep things organized.

We've got a Bonus Secret for you next time! 

     Be sure to visit Southern Flair Photography's website at www.sflair.com. Southern Flair Photography is a full-time, full service professional wedding and portrait photography studio with deep roots in the Dallas -Ft. Worth area.

     Southern Flair Photography has a 4,200 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. In addition to it's large, well equipped camera room, Southern Flair also has an exclusive outdoor portrait garden with numerous sets for most any look.

    Specializing in high quality portraits of maternity, baby, toddler, children, high school seniors, engagements, bridals, family and corporate photography, Southern Flair's art can be found in some of the finest homes in the Southwest.

     Southern Flair Photography is also a leader in the wedding photography industry, having photographed over 3,800 weddings in the past 38 years.

Lauren Lee's Bridal

Lauren Lee's Bridal

Click the link above to view the highlights of her bridal portrait session.

We had a wonderful time creating portraits for Lauren Lee (no relation). The facility, Thistle Hill, served as a wonderful backdrop and really had a lot of sentimental meaning for Lauren.

Lauren and Mark Merewether were joined in marriage on 3/15/14 at the College Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills.

10 Wedding Planning Secrets Every Bride Should Know - Part 9 of 10

SECRET #9

WATCH THE SIZE OF YOUR GUEST LIST

 

     You don’t have to invite each and every person you know to the wedding. It is totally understandable if you wish to invite only close friends and family. The number of guests you invite will have the largest impact on the total overall wedding costs.

More guests mean

·         More invitations

·         A more spacious venue

·         Higher food and beverage costs

·         A bigger wedding cake

    

     Create a spreadsheet of everyone you are planning to invite. This would include your friends, family members, and colleagues. Now go thru your list and put a star next to the names of your “High Priority” guests, like family members and very close friends. Now go thru the list and strike out the names of people you can do without at your wedding. Be ruthless and have your fiancé do the same thing then compare your strikes and eliminate any duplicates. Finally, go thru the remaining names and decide whether each name should be invited or not.

Coming soon - Part 10

     Be sure to visit Southern Flair Photography's website at www.sflair.com. Southern Flair Photography is a full-time, full service professional wedding and portrait photography studio with deep roots in the Dallas -Ft. Worth area.

     Southern Flair Photography has a 4,200 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. In addition to it's large, well equipped camera room, Southern Flair also has an exclusive outdoor portrait garden with numerous sets for most any look.

    Specializing in high quality portraits of maternity, baby, toddler, children, high school seniors, engagements, bridals, family and corporate photography, Southern Flair's art can be found in some of the finest homes in the Southwest.

     Southern Flair Photography is also a leader in the wedding photography industry, having photographed over 3,800 weddings in the past 38 years.

10 Wedding Planning Secrets Every Bride Should Know - Part 8 of 10

SECRET #8

GET A SLIGHTLY SMALLER, BUT BEAUTIFUL, CAKE,

OR EVEN SELECT CUP CAKES.

     Cake is a very important part of a traditional wedding reception. Many couples spend a fortune on an impressive cake. Here are thoughts on things you can do to bring down your wedding cake costs, thus stretching your budget:

·         Cakes purchased from bakers and caterers are often the most expensive.

·         Consult with several bakers. Demand a tasting. If you are lucky, you might get a better deal.

·         Consider a smaller cake. Many couples over estimate how much cake will be needed.

·         Cup cakes are a definite cost saving method. Displayed on a tiered system, it gives the appearance of a cake, at a substantial savings.

·         Everyone loves cupcakes – so you can’t go wrong.

Part 9 coming soon 

     Be sure to visit Southern Flair Photography's website at www.sflair.com. Southern Flair Photography is a full-time, full service professional wedding and portrait photography studio with deep roots in the Dallas -Ft. Worth area.

     Southern Flair Photography has a 4,200 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. In addition to it's large, well equipped camera room, Southern Flair also has an exclusive outdoor portrait garden with numerous sets for most any look.

    Specializing in high quality portraits of maternity, baby, toddler, children, high school seniors, engagements, bridals, family and corporate photography, Southern Flair's art can be found in some of the finest homes in the Southwest.

     Southern Flair Photography is also a leader in the wedding photography industry, having photographed over 3,800 weddings in the past 38 years.

10 Wedding Planning Secrets Every Bride Should Know - Part 7 of 10

SECRET #7

MOST OF THE FOOD BUDGET IS ATTRIBUTED TO ALCOHOL – EITHER LIMIT THE VARIETY, THE SERVING TIME,

 OR CUT IT OUR ENTIRELY.

     Alcohol can be a major expense at your wedding. If you are needing to cut corners somewhere in your budget, this would be one of the best areas in which to start.

·         Consider an alcohol-free wedding.

·         You can also make do with just a champagne toast.

     But if alcohol is a must have for your wedding, there are ways to cut the cost of your wedding liquor bill. The amount of money spent on alcohol depends on the quantity and variety of drinks served.

·         A full-time open bar is by far the most expensive route.

·         Consider offering only a signature drink.

·         Consider simply beer and wine as your options.

     The amount of alcohol consumed at a reception is affected by the timing.

·         More alcohol is consumed at evening receptions compared to morning or early afternoon events.

·         The length of the bar service can also affect the overall costs. This is because you are not only paying for the alcohol, but also the bartending services.

Watch for Part 8 soon


     Be sure to visit Southern Flair Photography's website at www.sflair.com. Southern Flair Photography is a full-time, full service professional wedding and portrait photography studio with deep roots in the Dallas -Ft. Worth area.

     Southern Flair Photography has a 4,200 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. In addition to it's large, well equipped camera room, Southern Flair also has an exclusive outdoor portrait garden with numerous sets for most any look.

    Specializing in high quality portraits of maternity, baby, toddler, children, high school seniors, engagements, bridals, family and corporate photography, Southern Flair's art can be found in some of the finest homes in the Southwest.

     Southern Flair Photography is also a leader in the wedding photography industry, having photographed over 3,800 weddings in the past 38 years.