Dilemma with reception venue...HELP!

[Icecoldpenguin]

So I orginally (and still) want the Backstage Prop Shop for the reception for the wedding. My dilemma is coming with photography. I am using Randy Chapman for engagement pictures in December and began contemplating using him for the wedding. However, I can not use him for the reception just the ceremony because the reception is inside a disney theme park.

I also really want to do bridal portraits at the magic kingdom and hollywood studios.

I am trying to figure out the pricing for everything and what would be cheapest but if I want to use randy for the entire wedding then I need a new venue. I am doing a peacock color theme for the wedding but the actual wedding them is Vinylmation/Star Wars. (hence backstage prop shop).

Anyone have any suggestions of where I could move the reception? I was thinking the whitehall room it is going to be a brunch reception.

Help I need suggestions...???

teresa

 

[MrsDuck]

I know that Randy is great but I honestly wouldn't change my reception venue. I LOVE the Prop Shop and think your theme goes so well there.

That said, I know how important photography is. This is a tough decision.

You could look at the Attic or the ADR if you really want to keep Randy for the whole thing.

 

[qtsugarangl]

I haven't looked at the Disney Photography prices in awhile but is it something that you could have Randy for the getting ready pics and the ceremony pics and then a Disney Photog for just the reception?

 

[sunkist867]

You can still have the Bridal Portrait session with DPS even if you go with Randy or move your reception venue. You do not have to use DPS for your wedding to get the Bridal Portrait Session in the parks, you just have to have a DFTW, which you are!
With that being said, I don't think you can now have Randy during the ceremony and DPS for the reception or both at the ceremony. I am pretty sure that with Escape packages you can only have one main photog and if you choose an outside photog you forfeit DPS during your cermeony and reception...but I think they give you an engagement session or family session? Don't quote me. With Wishes I think the same rule applies but there is no forfeiting because Wishes doesn't come with photography but park rules apply.
I would personally keep your location and use DPS. I understand Randy is good, but so is DPS. I feel like sometimes they get a bad rap because people with negative experiences tend to be heard the most and they come here to vent, but they have done some amazing photographs. The Prop shop is sooo unique!!!!!!
All in all, go with your gut

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Hey guys I 100% appreciate everyone's thoughts I know I can use DPS for the bridal sessions if I use randy for the ceremony and reception. I guess the real question is all based on pricing. I really don't want all the extra stuff like the prints and all that jazz that come with the packages I would rather have the high res digital images but those discs with DPS are very expensive. Does anyone know if in those packages you can trade out all the prints to go towards the price of a disc?

I added up a package of Randy's with the bridal sessions at MK and HS and I got less than what the highest package is with DPS that includes a MK portrait session.

I also want videography and so I wonder if it will all be cheaper to just change the venue...again I love the prop shop I just want to be able to have good affordable photography. Also I just don't know what other venues would be a good fit.

Teresa

 

[lurkyloo]

I too would rather change the venue than forfeit an outside photographer, but mostly because I've never been too knocked out by the Prop Shop. It is super-dark and hard to photograph.

I really don't want all the extra stuff like the prints and all that jazz that come with the packages I would rather have the high res digital images but those discs with DPS are very expensive. Does anyone know if in those packages you can trade out all the prints to go towards the price of a disc?

Disney does have some flexibility within their packages to give up certain products and use the credit toward a hi-res or archival disc, but unless you pick the $5,225 Enchanted Rose package, you still have to chip in an extra amount if you want the disc (the cost depends on the package you've chosen). If the savings of going with an outside photographer runs into the thousands, I think you have an answer right there. Plus you'll save money by not having to provide guests with transportation backstage.

As for alternative locations, ballrooms can be transformed to fit any theme if you have the dough, but none of Disney's resort reception locations scream "Star Wars/Vinylmation" to me... Atlantic Dance Hall and the rooms at the Contemporary Convention Center are the least flowery and fussy of the resort venues—maybe they'd be easier to transform? Or maybe you're more interested in a lighter theme, in which case Whitehall and the Attic are good choices for their natural lighting and unique layouts.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I too would rather change the venue than forfeit an outside photographer, but mostly because I've never been too knocked out by the Prop Shop. It is super-dark and hard to photograph.



Disney does have some flexibility within their packages to give up certain products and use the credit toward a hi-res or archival disc, but unless you pick the $5,225 Enchanted Rose package, you still have to chip in an extra amount if you want the disc (the cost depends on the package you've chosen). If the savings of going with an outside photographer runs into the thousands, I think you have an answer right there. Plus you'll save money by not having to provide guests with transportation backstage.

As for alternative locations, ballrooms can be transformed to fit any theme if you have the dough, but none of Disney's resort reception locations scream "Star Wars/Vinylmation" to me... Atlantic Dance Hall and the rooms at the Contemporary Convention Center are the least flowery and fussy of the resort venues—maybe they'd be easier to transform? Or maybe you're more interested in a lighter theme, in which case Whitehall and the Attic are good choices for their natural lighting and unique layouts.

You have a great point on all of this. See I do not necessarily want all the prints and the albums and all that stuff I am more about the digital files and that is what I would prefer to have. Disney does make that pretty complicated. I think I have decided to change my reception venue because if I take out the cost of photography towards the wedding it opens up my ability to add other fun things to the wedding and we just pay the photography in addition to the minimum.

So with that now I have to find a different reception venue this is what I need help on from people that have seen them or anyone that may have ideas.

why did you choose your reception venue?

Teresa

 

[lurkyloo]

I picked the Attic for its glorious natural light and shiny, shiny floors. (Can you tell I'm obsessed by natural light?). Photos against the windows there can be tricky, but we just set up the main photo spots (cake table, dance floor) so they were against walls or outside. Also, I liked that it was totally themed out (even though it didn't really match our wedding theme) so I didn't have to add any floral or decor. Plus it has a balcony and a wonderful view of Crescent Lake.

 

[Tifa]

I'm having the same problem with my venue. So I will have my outside photographer photograph the ceremony and will provide disposable cameras at the reception. Also they can not stop your guests from taking photos at your reception.