here's the rough draft of a new ad I'm working on for the Perfect Wedding Guide

It features my brand new logo and colors!

The ad dimensions are for a full page, so I'm working in the vertical format.

Please take a look at images, placement, text etc.

Your help to make the ad better is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I think that it looks good. Here are a few adjustments that i would do. I would change your main picture to B&W. I feel that it is out of place. I would also change your lower test to Who's rather then who is. These are just what i noticed... I really like the phrase... great job.

I like the slogan and I like all the pictures in that they look very profesional, (although I would clone out the headless man in the top left hand one) however other than the slogan would they stand out from the crowd? To be honest probably not. Please dont get me wrong there is nothing wrong with them but they just look like every other competent proffesionals.
Ah what do I know
All the best
steve

"Who's", rather than "Who is"
and headless man.
I totally agree.

I do, however, like the color image - and might even consider enlarging it. It gives the page some warmth. Actually, I don't know exactly how, but I think the space could use a little bit more warmth overall. Perhaps a page color other than white? Not sure here.

Also, I think I would have your ad be the page, then place your info and logo a little lower and smaller. They seem to be competing for the space.

The Open House line should definitely be small - and do brides know what you mean by that? They might, I'm just not sure how that plays out in ads. I should go look at more, huh?

Looks good!
-Eddie

At first glance everything is great. At second glance, everything is great. On third glance, the bride has a long hair growing out of her chin! I would consider cloning it out (along with the headless man inthe first image)

I like the flow of the layout, good mood to the combination of photos.

Troy,
I think these are good suggestions.
I know that the "Who is" comes from our formal training in journalism. No contractions please! But it could go either way here.

And I still like the idea of italicizing the word ...yours.
kc

Thanks everyone for your comments... both public and private.

I've made a few changes based on your suggestions. Biggest one was going to a single signature image.

Image selection has been the most difficult for me. My own storytelling style works best with placing multiple images together -- but the ad gets too cluttered with multiple images. And I'm fighting the vertical format of the book. I've run horizontal ads in this book, and feedback from brides wasn't always positive about having to flip the book sideways.

So here are a few new versions with different images.

I tried to select more abstract images to allow the viewer's mind to fill in their own stories. Feedback on this idea would be appreciated.

Thanks for all your help!

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

since the new ones look just like mine, I like them.

BUT, they look just like mine. in the same book...

Sorry about that, Matt.

I hope that unintentional imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Just looked through the book again, if I go with a black background and keep my same logo color, then I look like Andrew S's stuff.
If I use a filmstrip motif, I look like Galleria...

I'm discovering that there's not too many ways to layout an ad with a horizontal image on a vertical page.

Here are some interesting differences: I ran with different type faces & dropped the "real" tag lines.

I've just thought about running the logo at the top, but that doesn't flow well.

New version:
For starters, I added a very light blue gradiant to the background. Better?

Suggestions would be welcome.

Click to view attachment

i do really like that picture troy, i think it will work for you

and btw, dawn mentioned she's got a new ad coming out so she's probably dropping the filmstrip

I think this latest version is fantastic!

I've got to design an ad for myself (not for PWG) and it's always great to see what's working and not working for other people!

Leann

troy, the gold ring in the upper left is a little distracting.


have you thought about going horizontal???

(shut up on that one kc)

Indeed! Right you are Nate.

As for horizontal, I've been that way (in my ad -- not the same way Nate goes horizontal after some beer ) and got feedback that it was time to change.
Click to view attachment

I'm a good boy now.

Troy,
What if you made the photo a little smaller and put a border around it? I see what Matt is saying. It might look funny in the book. I think the design is fine, but it is getting harder to be original in the PWG guide.

my .02
kc

Here's something I threw together based off your example to give you some ideas. Me hope you like.



If you don't like the logo / phone / website chunk, consider moving the phone / site tot he right of the logo.

Troy, I am going out on a limb here and having never met you, I hope you will take this as it is meant: A different perspective to consider with a sincere wish to help.

FWIW: To me, the photo is gorgeous, the dress, the lighting, it is all gorgeous. But when the text of "Every Wedding has a Story" is combined with the bride with her hands on her stomach, it seems to imply that the story behind the wedding is that she is pregnant. The pose/posture is common for pregnant women. Which is fine if that is what you are trying to say, but if that is not the intended message...

-Matt

Is it worth advertising there? What are their rates?
I think I met them on bridal show. They are new.

troy what could be more original than a photo of yourself???


it's working for Me Ra in GO

Thanks Nate. If I were as cute as Me Ra, I'd consider it.

But us frumpy old farts shouldn't be posting pics of ourselves.

Shaun -- I Like it!

But I didn't see your post until after I uploaded mine to the magazine.

I'll definately keep that around for version two next quarter.