Weddingbee DVDs
December 19th, 2006 @ 1:17 pm by Mrs. Bee
We’d been planning on launching a dvd product since before we launched weddingbee, and we’re mapping it out now so we want to get your feedback. We’re planning on creating a dvd of the best photographers in New York, in different price ranges, which would showcase portfolios as well as interviews with the photographers. These photographers would be selected by polling wedding planners, other industry vendors, as well as real brides.
Mr. Bee and I had to meet with a lot of vendors before booking them, so we thought a dvd like this would really help narrow down a search. As Mr. Bee said, “I would have paid a fortune not to have gone on those photographer meetings.” 
Please let us know - would you purchase such a product? And how much would you pay?
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16 Responses to “Weddingbee DVDs”
I hate all those meetings, too, but I don’t know that I’d pay for a DVD. I also went through recs of friends (and the knot) before making decisions.
The idea, especially if well-done, has great merit but I’m also in WA where I don’t think that would be necessary, at all. 
Can you ask the photographers to pay? and make it like promotional material or adverstisement?
I think it all depends on the brides to be. For those who are to busy to do anything would probably buy it without thinking…but for those who really want to be a part of their wedding…put thier thoughts into would probably won’t. I would purchase it to see the list of vendors in it but thats also something you can get from a magazine. It would be nice to see who the “vendor’s” are, as in who the people are behind the names. I would spend most…$20.00.
It would be even better if the dvd contained vendors for everything e.g. florist, hair, makeup, videography, venue, etc. for the NYC area! That would definitely be priceless!
I wouldn’t pay for a dvd. Photography’s important and I’d much rather meet the photographers in person & see their works first-hand.
you would definitely still meet with them… this would just help you narrow down your search.
I wouldn’t pay for one. While it is nice to have recommendations to go off of, I wouldn’t hire someone that I hadn’t met. (Especially a photographer!)
I wouldn’t pay for this type of product, just because one person’s idea of “best” is not necessarily another’s. It feels a little bit too editorial to me, I would rather go through the trouble myself (a lot of trouble, actually) or go by word of mouth. I’m sure some brides would love this idea though!
How about an online video service you subscribe to? Similar to YouTube where you can just upload videos. Maybe instead of charging you could ask brides to submit their email addresses then sell them to vendors in the area? Or ask the vendors you choose to pay a fee? Or sell advertising space on the site? I’m not sure I’d be patient enough to sit at home and watch a DVD although I’d definitely take a few minutes out of my day to download a video and watch it on my lunch break!
honestly, i wouldn’t purchase an item like this, only because selecting a photographer is still a very personal choice. i would still opt to interview photographers rather watch a dvd/tape, only because i’d be wary of the dvd was “sponsored.”
i think some would pay for the dvd just to get the ball rolling though. it would at least give them a start on who to do more research on, and who to call to interview, etc. perhaps $15-20 at most? it’s tough because new photographers are always popping up too.
no, i wouldn’t be interested in such a product. a photographer is the one thing you can easily research online.
photographers all have online portfolios. you can see pictures of other knotties who have used them. or even get emailed a link to all the proofs from a few different weddings to get an idea of the overall ability of the photographer. why would i want a dvd of someone else’s “best of” when i want to go with who I think is the best fit for what i want/need.
I don’t think I’d buy an item like this either. While it may work for some, I’d like to research my own photographers - much like what others are saying. Also, you mentioned it’s just New York - I’m way out in California so right there that cuts me/CA~other western states out (unless we’re destination brides or willing to pay oodles to ship a photographer over here.)
I think what might benefit Wbee, and not make it too much like the Knot (please correct me if I’m wrong - don’t frequent the Knot much) is to have comprehensive photographer reviews. Maybe two a month? Something like that.. Perhaps it’s a secondary site to Wbee. Have a small post announcing the newest “interview” is up - have common questions, example prices, and plenty of example images - maybe even discounts for those that mention seeing it on Weddingbee.
As for having an item to sell on Wbee - why not cute tshirts/~ala cafepress items with bees, cute sayings something like that.
hiya bee! i would’ve definitely paid for something like this. we ended up meeting with/interviewing like 20 different photographers. some of them in the first 5 minutes we knew we didn’t want to hire them. it really helps to know the basics before even setting up an interview which takes up so much of your time! and a lot of times photographers aren’t good about providing the info to you beforehand because they just want you to meet with them. i’d probably pay up to $50 if i knew that there would be information on the dvd that would be helpful. for instance, the photographers were of the caliber i’m looking for.
I would only pay $10.00. It sounds like a Zagat’s for photographers, I think the best would be to have a list of items to think about when choosing a photographer. (i.e. if you are looking for truly amazing photography, look at their color photos, not the black and white), etc. That would be valuable. I guess the other question I would ask, is how is this any different than going on the knot message board, or buying the annual New York magazine bridal edition.
Gotta say the idea rocks. I wouldn’t buy because I’m not in New York, of course, but if it were of Hawaii photographers . . . as much as I love it, I’m trying really hard to keep costs down, and that would have to be on my non-essential list.
Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
Yes and no. I will pay may be $25 but I believe that most resources re photog. can be found in the knot boards. I went with mine by word of mouth (althought I did not get married in USA). But yes, it will be definetely helpful.