Why a professional photographer, and why you should insure your event.

Two pieces of information that will help you get great wedding photos, but not fall foul of the expensive traps used by some companies.

 Don't rely on friends and family to photograph your wedding, do get a professional photographer.
They know exactly what to do to get the pictures you need, they are used to getting people to stand in the right place for the all important group shots without to much hassle .They understand the light conditions and have the right equipment to ensure great pictures on dull and overly bright days.

The day only happens once, make sure you have the day recorded properly.

Check out the reputations as  bad professional photographers do exist. Also look for a photographer who offers you a CD of your images, not a DVD to music, but a CD of printable images and the right to print them. This will enable you to send photos to anyone you want, and put them on Facebook or get a professional or friend to make you a scrapbook and will save you a lot of money if you plan to use a lot of photos.

Photographers  I recommend in the North West and who fit my criteria  are Steel Orchid
Lawrence Clift Photography and George and Gleyns Dawber  all offer CDs of your images. all take excellent photos and both record your wedding whilst remaining unobtrusive. Steel Orchid however will if required dress in gothic outfits if that suits your wedding theme.

I was asked recently what was the most money saving advice I can give to a bride and groom, in fact it also goes for anyone planning a large event.
                                                            

Insure your event!!  With weddings and events costing so much, you have to ask yourselves could you afford to pay for it twice. If the answer is no, or you wouldn't want to, then you really should insure your event.

What would you do if the bridegroom broke his leg at his stag doo, or your Mum or Dad are taken ill, close to the wedding ? Or if you find yourself in hospital a few days before the wedding.

There are many things that can go wrong including flooded venues and snow blocked roads but  if you are adequately insured it will mean that you can make your alternative plans without undue stress or worry.

For a £30,000 event it should cost you less than £180.00 to insure it
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My recommendation for a wedding insurance company in the Uk  is Ecclesiastical  mainly due to the fact that when a large wedding list company went bust a few years back, Ecclesiastical had the best record for paying out claims.

Check out reputations of event insurance companies before you decide which one to use.

The way a business should be run!

Today my partner and I went on our traditional, Christmas shopping trip to Bury Market. One of our traditions is breakfast at Katsouris Delicatessen. 
Whilst eating my breakfast I decided to write this post and discussed it with my husband.
Its always very busy at Katsouris, but no matter how long the queue. it always surprises me how quickly we are served, not only that, but once we are being served, other staff members, come and check we are being served.
2 full English breakfasts with 2 sausages. 2 eggs, 3 bacon,  beef mushroom, beans. 1/2 inch slice of Bury black pudding. 3 slices of toasted ciabatta and 2 coffees comes to the grand total of £10.45. Not just great value, but each item on that list is great quality. Its fantastic food.

Everything we have ever tried at Katsouris has been the same, from the stunning cakes and deserts, to sandwiches and items from the deli. Great quality and value throughout.
We take our traditional seats outside. yes outside in winter. They have gas heaters, and almost as soon as we are seated, staff come and turn the heater near our table on. Its always been warm enough, but this year we noticed an improvement in our surroundings , they have put in screens to protect you from the wind.

Our breakfast as always arrived quickly, and were perfectly cooked. However the manager apologised for how long we waited, as he felt it wasn't as quick as it should have been.

Every time we have been a member of staff always wanders by and asks if the food is OK. As soon as you finish your breakfasts, the plates are cleared so you can sit and enjoy your coffee.

Empty tables are cleaned almost instantaneously.

I always believe in giving praise where praise is due. I told the manager the breakfasts were even more outstanding than the last ones we had. (and that in my book was no mean feat)

 I also believe that we should all point out less than adequate service, when it happens, as how are companies to improve if no one says, That's not good enough. However there just were no issues. From start to finish it was as always a lovely experience.

I don't know how much the staff are paid, or how they are treated. I have seen the manager remind staff who aren't busy to check this or that. So I know that they are expected to work, at delivering a perfect service. The staff always seem friendly and smiley when you talk to them, and when you don't they are quietly, unobtrusively and efficiently tidying up around you.

I noticed today that they had a sign saying they did outside catering, Now normally I would get refs for outside caterers before using them for an event. But if I get an event booking near Bury and they need great food and great value. I wouldn't hesitate in going to Katsouris.

Its definatly not an accident that everything is always excellent, you have to push to keep improving, like they have, and to keep service quality so good. I do not doubt that they run every aspect of the business to the same high standard, so Id recomend them without hesitation.
So why this blog.

I was thinking, that Katsouris represented what I believe a good business is about. Giving great service, great quality and always striving to improve and if that wasn't enough giving it at a great and more than fair price. It is one of the reasons why I started my business, to offer the same values to my customers, as Katsouris do to theirs.
So all you companies struggling out there, losing customers. Nip to bury market, have a breakfast, and if you watch carefully you'll recieve a free lesson on how to run a business and how to keep your customers happy.Ensuring, that people like me tell others about your fantastic. value, quality and service.