Ways to save on your Wedding costs

Weddings can be expensive but there are a host of ways to save while still having an amazing party.
Sure, you can go for a quartet instead of a full band. Heck, there are some AMAZING DJs that can read the crowd and play the classics better than a band.
But what about the cake? While you probably don't want a Carvel Fudgie the Whale ice cream cake...there are ways to have an awesome cake...and afford it too.

One idea is to rent a cake

What? You can do that?
Yeah... http://www.cakerental.com/index.html
The premise is you have a display on an amazing cake...one that would cost a fortune...and the cake you actually serve, while similar in appearance (and FAR better in taste) is a simple sheet cake. There is even a way to work the couple cutting the cake.

Check them out and see if it could be right for you. After all...you rent the limo, the tuxedos...why not the fancy cake?

For the best in creative New York Wedding Photography call J. Mitchel Photography.

Long Beach Breast Cancer Coaliton Kayakathon 2008

Well, considering the rain and wind yesterday, I think everyone was very pleasantly surprised at what a beautiful Morning we had for this years Kayak a thon, supporting the Long Beach Breast Cancer Coalition.
Luckily I did not have to set my alarm to wake up early today. My 7 Month old baby girl, Sunny Logann, is better than a Timex. Up at 6:30AM every day. I had a little coffee in the garden, and then I was off to Empire Kayaks, in Barnum Isle / Island Park.
Empire Kayaks sponsors the Long Beach Breast Cancer Coaltion each year in an awesome fund raising effort to fight breast cancer in Long Beach, and help assist those affected by Breast Cancer with programs that make life easier.

How could you not LOVE a shirt that says Save the Tatas.

Registration was packed by 9:30 and there were tons of folks already on the water as early as 9!

For more information about the Long Beach Breast Cancer Coaltion , check out their website at http://www.longbeachbcc.org

To see all the images from the 2008 Kayakathon, and perhaps purchase a few to support the Long Beach Breast Cancer Coaliotion, check out the J. Mitchel Photography client proofing website at http://jmitchelphotography.instaproofs.com/

ALL profits from images of this event are donated by J. Mitchel Photography directly to the Long Beach Breast Cancer Coalition.

I grew up in Long Beach / Atlantic Beach and while I have moved a tiny bit inland, my heart is still at the beach. I embrace the chance to give back to the community I was raised in. Covering the LBBCC events is a great way for me to do just that.

If this is your first time reading my blog, I use the blog as more of a get to know me spot, rather than to show my work.

As one of Long Island's top event and architectural photographers, check out my main website at http://www.jmitchelphotography.com/ to see why I am able to tell your Wedding story, or chronicle your home or commercial space in a way no one else can.

Check out my life and landscape prints at The Spoon Cafe in Lindenhurst. Great little coffeehouse and restaurant that has local live music several times a week. Not into dark smokey bars, but want a great date place? This is it. Frozen Hot Chocolate for two...a must have.

Jill & Michael's Wedding! It was a HOT one!

Yeah, sure...it was a little warm out. The Groomsmen were pretty much melting under the bright sun.
The ceremony was classic, and Jill looked superbly elegant.
The Bridal Party was lookin' SHARP!

But the party...the party was downright HOT! Jill and Michael can dance! Their family and friends were tearing up the dance floor at The White House during the reception.

I shoot and train with a great group of local photographers and I was fortunate enough to have Taria from Personal Touch Photography working with me. She is a master at organizing formals and has an easygoing style that works well with her ability to get people where you need them for a great image.
Check out her blog at http://www.tariareed.com/blog/

Also check out the proofing site from J. Mitchel Photography July 13th, when you will start to see the images from Jill and Michael's Wedding online!

Wedding Day! Jill & Mike are getting Married Today!

Jill and Mike are getting Married Today!

They are a really great couple. We had so much fun doing the E-session! I will be shooting their Wedding Today in Middle Village and the reception in Whitestone. Look for updates tomorrow and if you know them, then you know the password to see their pics on the proofing site!

Is the Economy affecting your Wedding Budget?

Harder times are starting to take hold and many folks are cutting back on luxuries and giving serious thought to their own personal "Latte Factor". Even Kitty here, caught on 5th Ave in NYC begging for a saucer of cream, is starting to feel the pinch and is willing to go to half & half.

Your Wedding is a once in a lifetime event. But that doesn't mean the best way to start a marriage is to put yourself in debt paying for your Wedding. There are tons of ways to make your Wedding budget go further while having a beautiful, memorable and elegant event.

Think about stacking beautifully wrapped favors as centerpieces instead of the traditional flowers. They make a wonderful presentation, can be color coordinated to your look, no one has allergies to them, no one fights over who takes them home because everyone gets one and...you save on flowers because you are giving the favors anyway.

Another way to make your Wedding buget go further is to look beyond the Wedding Factory photography studios and the venue's house vendor list that treat Weddings as a boring chore. Using a smaller, independent photographer can often get you more creative images, more personal attention and a far better value.

J. Mitchel Photography provides outstanding creative Wedding photography in the NYC Metro area starting at just $1500. Most of my Brides are complete with beautiful custom albums for under $2500.