I am trying to build my wedding photography business on a tight budget.  Does anyone recommend any type of advertising that is cheap but effective?  I thought of going to bridal stores and dropping of business cards and such.  But what else can I do in order to build enough business to be able to advertise with more money?  I can't seem to get my feet off the ground.  Help. 

Tell absolutely everyone you know.  I got my first wedding from a co-worker of a friend.  If people know you are starting a business and need clients, they'll be on the lookout for people who need photographers. 

I am not sure of your market, but dont forget to drop off your business cards to event/wedding planners, event halls, bridal shops... any place that a bride would go.

There is a local bridal store in my area that has high end dresses as well as more economical dresses. I asked if I could bring in some models and use their new lines to take pictures of. They were happy to let me come in and take pictures. The brides shopping can see how professional and personal you are and the shop will refer customers to you because they too have seen you in action. Plus, the pictures taken can be donated to the shop so they can display their new lines and your logo is printed on the bottom so the client knows where to find you!

However, make sure your cards are left in a place that caters to your clientel.... dont leave your business card at a wedding dress outlet store if you cater to higher priced clientèle. It would be frustrating to a bride on a small budget as well as you will receive calls asking you to reduce your prices.

 Keira,  Thanks so much for your info.  I found it very helpful.  But one question...how did you get professional looking pictures of the girls at a bridal store?  Did you set up a backdrop & such with lights, or did you just do more candid with their store in background with flash?

My business is opdahlphotography.com if you are interested in looking.  I would love your opinion.  I seem to cater to mid-range clients, but would love the higher end ones.  I just have never advertised. 

 Thanks Ashley, I appreciate your advice.

The bridal store has a very large private room with a 360 mirror so it makes it easy. However, some of the dresses are able to be taken outside. Never use on camera flash... if you have to, set up your flash on one side or the other of the bride and reflect it back at her. You can do this with one tripod for the flash and someone on the other side holding a reflector. Use either the silver side or the gold side. The gold gives a much warmer glow to the model.

I always shoot with a very low ISO at f1.8 so the picture is very sharp but the background blurs. It does not matter what is in the background because you cant tell what it is.... then you can Gaussian blur it in photoshop later if needed.

Shoot pieces of the dress... the train, the vail, the bead work etc. Those make amazing shots blown up to large prints.

Hope this helps!

Keira

 Thanks Keira,  Great idea.  I usually bounce my attached flash off the ceiling when indoors (with white ceiling), but I should try to bounce on reflector.  I didn't think to shoot with f1.8.  I am always so afraid that only a very small piece of the subject will be in focus.  I guess I just need to be far enough away from the subject if I want to see most of her and dress sharp?  Oh, and I love those fun detail shots too that you recommended.  I never thought to do this all in a bridal store...thanks so much!

Think about this for any type of advertising... high end consignment stores or boutiques are also a great place. They will allow you to photograph their clothes on kids and then hang the pictures up in their store and hand out your cards! They usually supply the kids and the clothes and then the parents of the kids buy pictures from you so it's add on sales.