Archive for the ‘Parties and Weddings’ Category

Video Taping Service for Funeral/Memorial Ceremonies

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Video Taping Service for Funeral/Memorial Ceremonies

Memories of a function are what everyone wishes to have of their loved ones. Usually a birthday party, engagement, office party, or marriage is video taped. However, there are even people who wish to have memories of the funeral service of their loved ones, with which they will be able to remember them for a long time to come. This is the reason there is a great demand for videographers of funeral and memorial ceremonies and why you can, and should, start a funeral and memorial ceremony video taping service.

You will need to have a digital video camera, a tripod, and a steady hand to start a video taping service. You should have an idea of what to tape and what not to tape in a funeral service. Of course, this service is not free; you could charge a reasonable rate of about $200 per service and tape in either VCR or DVD, depending on the needs of the customer. And then you can also charge extra for additional DVDs.

Of course, there are some people that would wonder why it is that people would want the recording of a funeral service done. Well, the main reason a person would like the funeral service to be recorded would be for; a close relative or friend of the deceased not able to attend because of illness, travel problems, or some other reason. With a recording of the funeral, the friend or relative will be able to relive the last moments of their loved one.

If the deceased was in the military service, there may be pageantry or fine eulogies performed, which loved ones of the deceased would want to save for their family memories to cherish. Then for some people, video taping the funeral services forms a sort of bonding with the deceased and helps them deal with the loss of the departed soul in a better way. Of course, if you intend to video tape military pageantries, you will need to have knowledge of the military, religious, and logistical rules followed for these services.

Once you set up your business, you will have to advertise your services. You could create a website advertising your services and place your website in online directories. If you do not know how to create a website, you could always hire a person to do it for you. By placing the website in an online directory, you will have more traffic generated to your website as people generally search directories to learn about the different websites on the Internet.

Besides creating a website, you will need some pamphlets and business cards for distribution purposes. You could distribute your cards at someone else’s funeral services and perhaps stick a pamphlet or two in the local churches. This way, people will know about your service. Moreover, through word of mouth, more and more people will get to know about your services.

Resources:

http://www.allvid.com/

http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/business/pages/video-taping-service.php

http://www.clasiqueproduction.com/funerals.php

Separation and Divorce Parties

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Separation and Divorce Parties

There is always a great celebration when couples join in marriage. However, when they break up or get divorced there seems to be nothing done to commemorate the significance of the day. What better time could there be for a throwing a party? Whether grieving or joyful, a party is a great way to mark a dramatic change in life. Having all of your closest friends at a time like this is only natural. Help people going through these life changing events know how to go about setting up a memorable party for this unusual party occasion.

You could offer to create and set these parties up, or host them for interested individuals in your area. You could also put together various kinds of kits to sell to people wanting to give a party for these common, but unusual events.

You could offer several different types or themes of parties dealing with the same occasions of separating, and/or divorce. You might include things like pin the tail on the X-companion or aim for the piñata (with the X’s name on it) full of small tasty surprises. Just add a little twist to the typical childhood games we all know or even some adult ones we are all familiar with playing. Just make sure that the party will be well remembered and enjoyed by all.

If you decide to set these parties up in your area, you could advertise in local newspapers and telephone books. Send advertising to individuals that are acquiring legal divorces or separations in your local area. This type of information is usually found filed at your local courthouses or even documented in some newspapers. You could also contact lawyers in your area, which work with offering their services of divorces and separations.

If you decide to put party kits together, give them all unique names for each different type of divorce or separation. The many varying reasons for these break-ups can give you ideas of appealing themes for the parties. Be creative and whimsical in coming up with different ideas of games or decorations and your kits are sure to be a great hit with the attending partygoers. They will be looking forward to their next divorce/separation party.

You can offer your kits on many popular auction sites, this will help advertise them for you and help others be aware of what you offer. You really should try to offer your party kits on your own web-site store if you are able to. If not, try to convince popular sites to carry your kits to sell. You can also visit your local gift and card shops, make them aware of your products, and see if they would like to sell them. Another place to visit might be your local bakeries that sell cakes for parties, offer them some ideas for cake designs, and then see if they would like to advertise your themed kits to go along with the various designs. You both may end up with added profits that were not expected in this area before.

Resources:

http://www.divorceinfo.com/

http://www.divorcepartyplanner.com/

http://www.divorcepartysupply.com/

http://www.customink.com/events/divorce-party-ideas.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_2047603_select-food-divorce-party.html

Provide a Service for Those Passed On

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Provide a Service for Those Passed On

Death is something inevitable; all of us have to die eventually. However, many people have different wishes and ideas they want implemented after their death. Different cultures too have different ways and means of handling their dead; Hindus usually cremate their loved ones bodies and Christians usually have the bodies buried in coffins. However, occasionally people of different beliefs like to have their bodies handled differently from their common customs. This may require research, to be well aware of these varied and numerous customs.

Sometimes a person desires, after cremation, to have their ashes spread over a certain body of water or land. The requested location may not be in the same vicinity as the person that died; it may be many miles, or even days, away. Therefore, the family may have to travel to this destination to have their loved ones’ last wishes fulfilled. This may prove difficult for some who, due to health or travel restrictions, may not be able to travel such long distances. Then, some just feel uneasy carrying out their loved ones’ wishes, or it is too painful or distressing for them to handle.

This is where you could offer your services transporting the contained ashes to wherever necessary, and sprinkle their ashes as requested. Of course, this is not a free service; you could charge perhaps $100 to $150 (depending on the amount of time required) for carrying it out and extra for fuel, or transportation charges. In some cases, it may require you to fly to the desired destination; so charge for the plane tickets or any added charges for needed rental vehicles to reach the location, and fuel charges too.

The initial investment you may want to make for this business could be for a sizeable boat or car. When investing in a boat, it is better to invest in a big boat as sometimes the loved ones of the deceased may wish to accompany you for the sprinkling of the ashes. Therefore, your boat should safely be able to hold you and attendees. You may also need to have a passport ready, and be prepared to request a visa needed if you have to travel overseas to sprinkle the ashes.

Always remember when offering to sprinkle the ashes of those passed away, it is necessary that you handle the ashes with extreme care and discipline. The ashes should not spill or fall; thus handle the container with extreme care. Many times these cherished ashes can hold very sentimental, superstitious, and religious feelings with family members and beloved friends. You should always give these ashes the desired respect and care deserved.

Now you should be ready to offer your services, you will need to acquire some pamphlets and business cards to advertise. Distribute these in churches, mortuaries, community centers, or with florists, or printers, just anywhere people may visit when a person dies. As your business is a unique proposition, it may need some extra advertisement to make yourself known by others. So make sure you make the necessary advertising to start your business. Once a few people get to know about your needed and unusual services, their advertising through word-of-mouth should be sufficient to pull in more customers.

Resources:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1296.shtm

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2004/press_release_0499.shtm

http://www.cremation.cc/Burial_At_Sea_of_Ashes.html

http://www.mainelyurns.com/air-travel-with-cremated-remains-tsa.html

Wedding Kits

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Wedding Kits

It might seem like this kind of kit would appeal more to men, but not necessarily. Marriage is a big step in most peoples lives, giving them help with some of the hard to do parts of the wedding is always a good idea. So, why not create and sell a variety of wedding kits that include pre-written vows, speeches, wedding checklists, toasts, and anything more that they will need. These can be hard to find items that can save people from many fretful hours.

Since there are typically many different individuals involved in wedding ceremonies and the receptions that follow, you could target each individual and offer them a separate wedding kit, offering all of the needed information and items for them to be able to accomplish their role in the wedding party successfully. Make sure you don’t forget the parents of the Bride and Groom and any other relatives.

Inform yourself of all the different types of weddings and the customs followed these days and in the past. There are so many different cultures that you should investigate. This will allow you to offer a variety of types of kits for all the different needs of these traditional responsibilities. There are also new ideas that you can offer too, many times famous people will do something different and new couples often like to follow with the same ideas, so keep up with all of the latest trends and fads, so that you can offer them also.

Brides all want to have perfect weddings and you can help by offering all of the hints and requirements of each role of the wedding party members. These kits could be offered to people attending wedding showers as gift ideas. Try to have your products offered in Bridal Shops also; the Bride herself may purchase them for her wedding party members.

Offer each kit separately and offer packages of separate kits needed for each different size wedding party. You could sell each kit for about $50 a piece. It would be up to your discretion to decide the prices of full packages. Make sure you do not forget a package for after the wedding and honeymoon, including the thank you cards that should be sent out as soon as possible. Help by offering proper ways of thanking people that shared in the happiness of their wedding day.

The success of a business like this is the availability of the needed kits and making your products well advertised and available to the customers that need them. So make up your mind about how you can market these great wedding kit ideas. Offering these items from a Web Site store could be a wonderful decision on your part. This way you can make the whole world your customer base.

Resources:

http://www.weddingcentral.com/

http://www.brideonline.com/

http://www.myweddingvows.com/

http://elegantvows.com/

http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=2436

Holiday Cash

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Holiday Cash

Are you handy with the paintbrush? Why not create temporary art for cash? Not only do many stores want holiday art, but also some like to change displays with the seasons or celebrate smaller occasions such as anniversaries.

Painting a window saves the storeowner a lot of time and product. Items placed in a sunny window fade and are no longer able to be sold after a time. However, a painting can be replaced quickly and easily whenever they need a change.

It is a good idea to practice first on a piece of glass. Window painting differs from regular painting in that you begin with the details that are against the glass and layer back. You basically paint the picture backwards!

You might want to check out the website www.windowwoman.com to get ideas and look at some patterns. The best paint to use is acrylic craft paint, although tempera also works. Make sure you wash the window well before applying paint so you get the best look.

Now you are ready to begin. Paint your own windows and take photos to make a portfolio to show potential clients.

Clients may have a specific idea or picture that they want you to transfer to the glass, or you may have just a theme to work with. If you like to have a good idea beforehand, try doing up a sketch on paper. Having a box of clipping of famous characters like Cupid and Santa is a good idea.

Base your pricing on the size and complexity of the job. You will get better at making estimates as time goes on, but for now you should include time, materials and don’t forget the time spent discussing ideas.

Put an ad in the newspaper around major holidays, but knock on doors, too. During holidays, stores are busy and may not have enough time to follow up on ads, but you will have better luck if you go to them.

To bring in extra cash during slow months, why not also offer to paint home windows for birthdays or other personal holidays? The basic idea is the same, but on a smaller scale.

Painting windows is fun and what better way to enjoy your art? Not to mention the hundreds of folks who will be admiring it as they walk by.

Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_12507_paint-holiday-windows.html

http://www.windowwoman.com/

Here Comes the Bride…and Groom with no Religion in the Way

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Here Comes the Bride…and Groom with no Religion in the Way

The advancement of science and technology has increased the occurrence of inter-religious marriages. People from around the world are getting to know people from other parts of the world. The Internet, telephone and advancement in transportation makes it very easy for people to maintain long distance relationships. These relationships can sometimes culminate in marriages. These pairs look for a means of marriage, where there is no religious preference. You can start a business, marrying couples that have religious differences.

Some people feel that inter-religious marriages are not feasible or possible. However, this is not so, as love has no boundaries. All they need is a good sense of understanding of each other and an understanding of the religion and beliefs they intend to practice after the marriage. So to help them, start a business that marries such love filled couples. To start a marrying business, you first have to get an instant ordination.

It is easy to be ordained; there are many sites offering instant ordinations for people from different states and countries. When becoming an ordained minister, you have to first be aware of the legal doctrines of your state, country, or province. The site you visit for ordination then produces a form you fill out. A pastoral staff then reviews the information and the request you make. Then the notification of your ordination is sent to you by email. Most sites have ordinances made a few times a week; so you can be sure that you will hear from the site a few days after submission of the form.

Ordinations are provided free of cost and it is supposed to be for life, at no cost or question of faith. However, when applying for ordinations, it is necessary for you to provide your complete and legal names in your application. This is because it is you with the name given in the form that is to be ordained, and not anyone else! Remember, it is not the computer that ordains you; the pastoral staff is in charge of ordaining you!

Once you are legally ordained, you can start legalizing marriages. You can also perform funerals, baptisms, and all other functions performed by the clergy. It is all right to charge about $250 for performing a marriage, and perhaps around $150 for the reception. Independent countries have their independent marriage rules. Even the individual states of the United States have their independent laws. So, it is not enough having just an ordination, get to be well versed with the rules of your state and country so that you perform marriages following the right laws and regulations!

You can do some advertising of your services by creating a website stating what services you offer. You could also create pamphlets to distribute at the church and other places couples may go. The more publicity you make, the better the chance of people requesting your services. Once you set a reputation of a worthy person to approach for inter-religious marriages, you are sure to find many couples waiting outside your door to get married!

Resources:

http://www.ulc.net/

http://www.nawoonline.com/

http://www.superweddings.com/neatideas.html

http://www.ourmarriage.com/

Offer Tent Rentals for Special Occasions

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Offer Tent Rentals for Special Occasions

You have seen them at weddings, parties, and other special occasions. You have seen the tents set up in case of rain or other any other unexpected weather. Some are bland, simple white tents that cascade over a lawn or other outdoor area. Others are themed tents with beautiful designs and artwork. Rental tents can vary from really simple to fabulously elaborate.

You may have wondered where the tents have come from, or you have even rented tents yourself.

The tent rental business is always a business that will be needed by people of all ages, and for a large variety of special occasions. If you can offer unique tents that people will want to rent, and offer a low price (that’s the worry on every investor’s mind), you are in business! If people like your tents and your service, they will most likely tell all of their family and friends. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising - it doesn’t cost you anything, and people are more likely to go to a company because of a friend’s referral.

Themed Tents You Can Offer

1. Weddings
2. Parties
3. Religious Ceremonies
4. Holiday Celebrations
5. Children’s Special Activities

You should offer a wide variety of different types of tents. These could include the following:

1. Canopies
2. Encampments
3. Inside Dance Floor
4. Pavilions
5. Marquees
6. Pergolas
7. And more! You are only limited by your imagination!

You can also offer a variety of accessories such as:

1. Drapes
2. Inside Liners
3. Furnishings
4. Lighting
5. Walkways

You can also offer custom made tents and accessories. Give your customers excellent products and service and they will let everyone know! For more exposure, offer a discount to have your logo, business cards, or brochures displayed while your customer if using the tent.

You will need some snappy business cards and flyers ready. Scatter them around your local stores where people will see them. You could also have brochures that list all of your classes, what they are all about, and the fees associated with them. VistaPrint has some free marketing materials for first time customers at http://www.vistaprint.com

A website could be a great marketing tool for you as well. Get the word out by talking to other people interested in your services in various forums. Create a newsletter about renting tents that anyone could sign up for.

There are many possibilities for profits when offering a tent rental service. Brainstorm, and figure out which way of servicing would be best for you.

Resources:

http://www.variations.net/tent.htm

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/weddings/planning/tent-decorating-tips-for-weddings/

http://www.squidoo.com/tent-decor

http://www.imperialtent.com/

http://www.sheltersofamerica.com/productdetails.php?productid=189&id=4

http://www.acecanopy.com/party-tents.html

Hot Tub Parties

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

Hot Tub Parties

Sitting in a hot tub, soaking away all of life’s anxieties and relaxing is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Now imagine doing that with friends and making a party out of it! Wouldn’t this be a great idea for your next upcoming weekend party? If you are familiar with hot tubs, this might be a great ‘business idea’ for you to look into. Make good money by renting out hot tubs for parties or anything else people might like to rent a hot tub for. Some people might even like to rent a hot tub for more than a weekend, for healing therapy after an injury.

You can charge about $200 per day and give a discount for those who want it for a full weekend (Friday to Monday morning) or even longer for those that might be using it for medical reasons. What ever the reasons for renting a hot tub from you, make sure that you are making the needed money to keep your business profitable.

Offer to set up the hot tub for your customers; this will assure you that the hot tub is running smoothly and hooked up properly, when you leave. When you go back to pick it up, make sure you have a power washer to clean it out well after each use. It is also very important to disinfect it between renting occasions; you can decide to do this when you pick it up or when you have it in your storage area.

Check to see if there are any other businesses offering this in your area to see if you have any competition. This can help you decide what your possible market is, what you can charge, and if you will need to offer incentives to your customers to rent from you instead of your competition.

Your initial investment for this type of business will be the purchasing of several hot tubs and the tools needed to install them easily and quickly. This is where you will want to search the market place for hot tubs that will be easy to transport, hook up, and unhooked often without causing damage. You will also need a large vehicle capable of transporting the hot tubs to your customers and back. As noted earlier you will need to invest in a power washer to clean each hot tub out after use.

Be sure to pick out a wide variety of hot tubs if you can. Some people will want to pay more for a hot tub that offers all of the extras. Also, make sure that you have a contract with each of your customers to assure that you are able to pick up your hot tub, in the same condition as when you installed it for them. When installing the hot tub make sure that you leave printed information with your customers on how to operate and care for the hot tub while they have it.

Resources:

http://www.cpthottubrentals.com/

http://www.moosepages.com/hotub/

http://www.hottub-rentals.co.uk/rent.html

http://www.a1hottub.com/hot-tub-party.php