Where do you advertise?
Im in a battle with the furture Mrs. that we need to charge more.
She says we cant charge more because our only clients come from craigslist, and their cheapasses who think 800 is a lot for 8hrs and 2000+ edited photos :P
So I said, well lets advertise and bring in some bigger fish now that we have some good clients, lots of positive feedback and awesome shots.
But other than Ye 'old Phonebook *blows off the dust* where do you advertise? we cant afford a "store" and ill be damned if im going to try a ad on google or something..
How's ya'all doing it?

Word-of-mouth is the best business in this business. I worked in the industry for a couple years (video) for one of the best companies in RI that did Photo/Video and DJ. It was a great time when three people from the same company (had about 10 people in it) would do an event. Everything just flowed, no communication problems between the three and the bride and groom never had a bad thing to say. Many clients were just referrals. I was also the full time editor of the videos, so I was in the office day-in and day-out, then working weekends doing shooting.

Here's some stuff I learned...

Depending on where you live, there are towns/cities that have 'wedding guides', semi annual publications on wedding services in your area for brides-to-be.

http://www.riweddingguide.com/
http://www.southernneweddings.com/
http://www.yournewportwedding.com/

Etc...

Also, at least once a year around here, they have 'wedding expos', which is no more than hob-nobbing by the big fish that have lots of $$, and little fish that think they can make it. I would avoid these if you're a little fish. They're just not worth it as the bigger photogs just overwhelm the little guy in display, pricing, etc...

Is there a nearby "wedding factory" (where they hold many receptions) that doesn't have a 'house' (someone they always recommend to brides) I would see what you can do to schmooze the manager in charge of booking receptions to see if you could be recommended (name drop) if they didn't have a photographer already. If you worked someplace and they liked 'how' you worked and your attitude can go a long way. Being very nice and working with the event managers can go a LOOONG way into referrals. I picked up one place away from another company because the event mgmgt that night liked my attitude not only to the bride/groom/family, but total and complete respect given to the company running the show over a couple events. One night was just going horrible for everyone from a bridezilla but I was the only one to not be yelled at by the bride. (just doing video, photo and band weren't from out company). Just keeping your chin up goes a long way.

Also, are you religious? In good with the priest/pastor/rabbi/shaman? Another one to work and mention that you're doing weddings... if you're in good with them.

There's more that I've probably forgotten than remembered... but the key to take away from it all is referral referral referral. There's good business in that if you do good work and are very personable with the bride. It's not about just taking pictures for the bride... the photog is the director of the day (if they don't have a 'planner').

Oh... anyone that does wedding planning? Send them a card.

--kC

We found ours through one of these "wedding expo" things... Not sure if they have something like that near you. It might be worth renting a booth, that way people would get a chance to meet you face to face with no obligations.

I get all my business through word of mouth with clients and my website.