Are fireworks photos worth it?

[sajilunni]

We're having Randy Chapman as the photographer for our vow renewal on June 4. I just booked him for the basic 3 hour package, which I believe is $575 (am I right?). We're having the ceremony at 5PM and the dinner at Cali Grill at 7PM. I was looking forward to seeing Wishes from there at 9PM, but my WC said that there will be Pirates and Princess fireworks instead. I saw that some of you had great fireworks photos. Randy said he would do them for an extra $200. Do you think I should book that? My concerns are 1. I haven't seen any examples of Randy's fireworks shots and 2. I don't know if I can get great shots of us + fireworks from the deck of California Grill and 3. I don't know if the Pirates and Princess show will be as great as the Wishes show.

What do you guys think?
Jil

 

[Angela0917]

You have the same wedding plans as me!! Randy Chapman... 5:00 ceremony... California Grill for FIREWORKS!! You'll have to let me know how it goes and if you think it's worth it! I'm sure Randy's pics will be fabulous no matter how good the firework show is! And since it's Disney, I'm sure the firworks show will be equally as fabulous!!

 

[JaxTeach]

We had Randy for fireworks @ CG, however they were at 6pm. Even though we had an Escape, we had a larger photography package from Randy. If you look at our pics on Randy's site there should be several fireworks photos. To me, personally, it was not worth it. The pics are not as great as I'd hoped. The P&P fireworks will be as good as Wishes! from that distance.

 

[figmentfan814]

We just got our CDs of fireworks shots for Illuminations and they were great, but I think I would agree with JaxTeach for a fireworks show that is further away (unlike being on the water at Epcot) you probably wouldn't get a ton of shots.

Although, I've seen some cool pictures that Summer got on the beach by Grand Floridian if I remember corrrectly.

 

[lurkyloo]

I saw the P&P fireworks from my balcony at Beach Club Villas, and they are GREAT! Way better than Wishes, IMO. And that was from really far away... but they weren't $200-photographer worthy at that distance.

I also think that from CA Grill they're just too far away. Plus, fireworks photos in general are tricky to do right. I have noticed that a several wedding photogs (but not Randy!) actually Photoshop the couple in to a pristine fireworks pic b/c it's so hard to capture a perfect-looking burst of fireworks in real life.

 

[sajilunni]

JaxTeach, would you mind sharing some of your fireworks photos? I would love to see what the vantage is from Cali Grill. Thank you so much for sending me the menus a while back. I'm excited about what we're getting. We're getting the "Calistoga Dinner" (sp?), and substituting lobster for the salad. And I'm getting these white chocolate Mickey centerpieces with a plattter of strawberries and poundcake. And one Cinderella white chocolate slipper with mousse. And I managed to come in at $5 over the $2000 minimum! Not bad, huh?

Lurkyloo, I love your fireworks photos! They're one of the ones I really thought looked so romantic. So do you think that your pictures turned out so great because of the vantage point you had, or the photographer?

If anyone could post their fireworks photos, and from where they were taken, I would really appreciate it!

Jil

 

[lpizzuro123]

Not sure if they are doing things this way or not but for the past two years (2006-2007) for the MNSSHP and MVMCP they had regular Wishes at 6:00pm and then the fireworks for the party at 9:30pm. I have never been to a P&P Party but you might want to find out if they are doing it the same way for these. Not sure where you will be at 6:00 but if you could make it somewhere with a view of the castle you might be able to get some fireworks shots in from the regular Wishes.

Linda

 

[lurkyloo]

Lurkyloo, I love your fireworks photos! They're one of the ones I really thought looked so romantic. So do you think that your pictures turned out so great because of the vantage point you had, or the photographer?

I'm biased, of course, but I think it was the Roots (they could take a picture of a pile of trash and make it look good ). The fireworks didn't look that great at our party because the wind blew a lot of smoke our way. You can see it in many of the shots, but the way they captured it looks cool!

 

[Maddiesmum03]

Not sure if they are doing things this way or not but for the past two years (2006-2007) for the MNSSHP and MVMCP they had regular Wishes at 6:00pm and then the fireworks for the party at 9:30pm. I have never been to a P&P Party but you might want to find out if they are doing it the same way for these. Not sure where you will be at 6:00 but if you could make it somewhere with a view of the castle you might be able to get some fireworks shots in from the regular Wishes.

Linda

I think sunset is a couple of hours later than 6pm for MAY/JUNE so I guess thats why there's no Wishes on the P&P nights. We felt so lucky that our wedding in May falls on a regular Wishes night so we can do the Grand 1.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Well I guess that makes sense. We will be down in May for our planning session and are thinking of doing a P&P party one night. Now I know there will be no Wishes before hand.

 

[PrincessBride010103]

fireworks pics are sooo worth it...here are examples from randy

 

[FIREFLY01]

I Completely Agree Randy Did My Pics And We Did The Illuminations Fireworks Picts They Came Out Awesome Check Out My Tr And You Can See Them And Look On Randys Website And You Can See Alot Of Different Weddings!
Randy Is The Best The Picts Are Great!!!

 

[diswed0407]

I just went last month and was at CG during the PP fireworks. You really have an amazing view, and I think he'll be able to get plenty of shots. The fireworks are closer to the CG than you realize. The only thing is that most of the restaurant went out onto the walkway to watch the fireworks, so it was a little crowded. And I agree, PP fireworks are better than Wishes!

 

[JaxTeach]

Jill- I will send some CG fireworks photos if you PM your email again. The fireworks are actually further away from CG, with the exception of perimeter fireworks (which I believe P&P fireworks have). Most of the shells are shot off from behind Fantasyland. From the 15th floor of the Contemporary it's tricky work.