Analysis of Wedding Spending Changes from 2007 to 2008

Source: The Wedding Report, Inc.

Areas of spending decline from 2007 to 2008

Wedding dress fell by 31%
Rehearsal dinner fell by 34%
Spending for a DJ fell by 6%
Bridesmaid bouquets fell by 36%
Gifts for attendants fell by 38%
Wedding invitations fell by 34%
Engagement ring fell by 30%
Photographer fell by 26%
Videographer fell by 24%
Wedding cake fell by 33%
Wedding favors fell by 9%
Reception food service fell by 53%
Limo rental fell by 24%

Some reasons for the decline in spending of these items are; Current economic state is the primary reason for decline. Food type services declined due to a decrease in the number of guests attending from 166 to 145. Lower prices offered by various vendor types also contributing.

Areas of spending increase from 2007 to 2008
Tuxedo/suit increased by 47%
Ceremony location increased by 108%
Bride bouquet increased by 1%
Brides wedding band increased by 21%
Grooms wedding band increased by 38%
Reception bar service increased by 12%
Reception location increased by 15%
Reception rentals increased by 84%

Some reasons for the increase in spending of these items are; Desire of unique locations for ceremony and reception. Same place for ceremony and reception locations caused increase in location cost and rentals. Cut back on engagement ring allowed couples to spend more on the bands. Also, increase in demand for wedding bands vs. engagement rings.

Senior Ambassador Program

Senior Ambassador Program

• Be someone special in your school! Become a Hope Haven Photography Ambassador!
  
• Look to your friends and family to help you earn a photography session of a lifetime!
  
• A Referral* is a paid booking for a Family, Child, Senior, Maternity, Engagement, Wedding, Modeling or even Corporate Headshot session.
  

  For each referral*, Ambassadors earn:
  • $100 off their discounted Autograph Portfolio, up to the full price of the album
  • 5% off their photo order, up to 35%
  

All Ambassadors qualify for extraordinary, Ambassador-Only discounts

It is all about getting you and your friends the best possible professional photography for their senior portraits. Every Ambassador qualifies for very special discounts and extra products. Each Ambassador is automatically registered to win a Laptop, Video iPod, iPod nano and even $250 cash! Ambassadors can earn a free "Autograph Portfolio" with your 10 best portraits and room for all of your friends to sign. (Regularly an $800 value!)

All Ambassadors need to have their pictures taken between January 1st, 2009 and May 1st, 2009. As an Ambassador all you need to do is show off your photos from your free session with Hope Haven Photography. All Ambassadors should be representing only Hope Haven Photography during this time, and their Senior year. Remember….you don't have to be a model to be an ambassador, all you have to be is outgoing and spread the word.

BENEFITS OF BEING AN AMBASSADOR

• You get two photos sessions for FREE

• You get to SAVE HUGE on your photos

• You can get free products and/or free gift cards

• Parents can save some serious cash off senior photos

• There is NO cap to the amount of rewards you can receive via referrals

Hope Haven offering 16 Senior Portrait Scholarships this year.

Last year we offered senior portrait scholarships and we were very pleased with reception of the idea at the high school. This year we are very happy to announce we will be offering 16 such scholarships at 8 different area high schools. We have also increased the scholarship amount from $500 to $1500 each.

2009-2010 Hope Haven Mentor Series Scholarship

High Schools Invited

Stanwood High School
Arlington High School
Marysville High School
Mount Vernon High
La Conner High School
Bellingham High School

Each school will receive 2 senior portrait scholarships, valued at almost $1500.00

Hope Haven Photography will provide, completely without any fee, the following:
Session Fee – 3 Hour Session in Studio or location off-site - Value $500
Print Package (all prints are unframed unless otherwise specified)
Proof Portfolio – Value $150
1 – 11x14 – Touched up Image and Framed – Value $400
4 – 8x10’s – Value $100
8 – 5x7’s – Value $145
DVD Slideshow of Images - $100
DVD of low res images for web and email (with permissions for facebook and myspace) – Value $50


Deadline for application – March 15, 2009
Announcement of Recipients – March 31, 2009
Deadline for Portrait Session Completion – May 17, 2009

New Generations Portrait

We have taken 4 generations from my family and 'accidentally' created a phenomenon and are now offering this to the public.

We will digitally enhance up to 8 photographs and create a uniform work of art. Each portrait will be carefully integrated with the other to create a lasting and loving piece that will last generations.

We did all this and created this for our family.