Well, I've decided I'm going to write my first vendor review, seeing as we are now done with their services. I also don't want to forget to write about them after the wedding, since they've played such a crucial role. All of them will be listed on the front page of my PJ in the directory!
David & Vicki Arndt Photography (
www.davidandvickiarndtphoto.com)
First off...can I just flat out say:
LOVE THEM!
Were these pictures completely necessary and dire to our wedding planning? No.
However, I really wanted to do a photo album for our wedding guest book and that is why we decided to do it.
But in all honesty, I was a little nervous about how the whole engagement photo session would go. For one thing, I'm usually the one behind the camera, so this was going to be an experience for sure! And I was feeling a little bit like a traitor because we're using different photographers for our actual wedding day photos (That's the price you pay with a popular wedding date, though). Also, by the time we were actually taking our engagement pics, we had been already engaged for
2 years...
So, on May 13th 2011 at 5 p.m. Chris and I met up with David and Vicki and started taking pictures around Disney's Wilderness Lodge! (I just have to say for anyone looking for places to take pictures, Wilderness Lodge is perfect. So cozy and warm
And of course the landscaping is top notch.) Anyways, we broke the ice and immediately D+V had us laughing in stitches, "Go jump in that bush! Hold it! Now look at us...now look at eachother...and KISS!" It was quite fun. After I got over my case of the giggles, we started exchanging some fun stories and walked all over the resort. I'm pretty sure we spent a good hour and a half taking pictures there and then it was time to go over the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort! D+V were nice enough and let us change in our room and then they drove us over to the Grand Floridian. We didn't really have too many 'must have' pictures in mind, so most of it was improv. Then cue the signature Florida afternoon storm. We were moved inside, which was fine, because we ended up getting some more great shots. That's also when D+V discovered that it was Chris' birthday (I know, what a good guy, getting dressed up and taking pictures for me on his birthday
) So, David ran away and left Vicki to photographing. Well, just a few moments later, he returned with a slice of chocolate cake and a birthday candle stuck in it!
I just thought that was one of the sweetest gestures that someone could have done. They are seriously some of the most precious and fun people we've ever met! When we finished up, they dropped us back off at Wilderness Lodge and we hugged goodbye.
Even though we were only with them for 2-3 hours, we felt like we knew them forever. Such good friends.
Later on (May 30th), we finally got our sneak peeks, which were posted on their facebook page!!!:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150198830391190.311647.111170876189
I have to say that they are AMAZING! We love them and can't wait to use them in our guest book.
We also appreciate that they took the time to edit and post them for our viewing pleasure in the midst of their busy wedding season!
We finally wrapped up the odd 'n' ends and Vicki sent out our DVD of photos on June 30th...well, would you believe it arrived in the mail the next day!
That was very fast!
Cost: The engagement shoot with D+V at 2 resorts, plus edits, plus the DVD was $200. A very fair price and the best bang for your buck, in my opinion.
Grade: A+
We would love to use David and Vicki again in the future! And would recommend them to anyone who is looking for engagement photos or wedding day photos.
As far as the room block goes, I have heard horror from Dis brides about being charged for extra rooms, so make sure that you get it in writing that you will not be charged, but on the other side that is awesome that your attendance is so high, everyone must be super excited to come to your amazing wedding, I can't wait to see pics!
I couldn't be happier! They're beautiful. And I'm SO excited to wear them with my dress.
And I really like your cake. I'm so nosy, but I can't wait to see what they price quote you--- we're designing a custom cake too, so I'm interested!
