Good Budget Decisions for My DW!!!

[Disney12bride]

Hey Ladies,
I am new to this site and have to say I love it! So I am hoping to get some more help. I am a wishes bride, and am so excited to have this day captured. However, after reading so many posts I have been seeing many people are going with photographers other than Disney. Can someone tell me if there are benefits to going with Disney? Is it significantly cost efficient to go with someone else????? Any thoughts and opinions are certainly welcome, please provide any cautions!

 

[Tifa]

Congrats! Your going to have so much fun planning! I'm a Wishes bride as well!
On your question about photography, yes it is convient to go with Disney Photographers (but they come with a hefty price tag.) If you decide to go with a theme park venue you will have no choice but to go with them since outside photographers aren't allowed in.
If your trying to save money on photography you can use an outside photographer for all Disney Resort locations. And there are some really good photographers in the Orlando area for great prices.

It all depends on the location you choose though.

Hope that helps!

 

[princesswendy720]

Another thing to keep in mind is that Disney employs several photographers with different styles, and the do not guarantee your first (or even second or third) choice. Cost aside, I'm using an outside photographer because I know what I'm getting. Disney's packages also do not include the high-res or archival disk of images (or the rights to reprint on your own). You can pay extra for it.

 

[DisneyShamrock]

I can't speak from experience on the photographers as I haven't even hit the planning phase yet, but I would just like to veer slightly to the left and note that what you pay Disney for photography does count in the minimum expenditure. So, if you do go outside for photography, you still have to spend that amount with Disney.

If you're considering doing a Magic Kingdom portrait session, it won't count in the minimum if you use outside photography. I believe this is the same for bridal portraits done in any other park also, but I'm not sure.

Most of the outside photographers are fantastic (and, I've considered using one several times), but remember that it's over what you have to spend with Disney. My best recommendation is to make a budget. Most of the planning journals have budgets and costs in them, and there is also a thread for them, too. Draw up what you want and put in what it costs, or what you estimate it will. That way, you can see if you have the budget.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

I want to add that last I heard the hi-res disk with all of your images on it was ~$1000 in addition to the more expensive photo package you are already paying for. If having a disk of all your images is important to you, take the prices Disney is giving you, and add a grand.

 

[tracey1302]

Does anyone have any figures for what it costs for Disney photography versus outside vendors?

 

[tracey1302]

Does anyone have any figures for what it costs to have your photography with Disney versus any other outside vendors?

 

[Disney12bride]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all of your thoughts. Ok here is what I know! Right now the package I am going with is the middle package. 8 hours of coverage a fifty page album from a choice of three, images on a dvd, and a parent album. This is going to cost 3600 plus 6.5 sales tax.

I did talk to an outside photographer as my entire wedding is going to be at the Grand Floridian; wedding, reception, and dessert party! He was going to charge 1195 for ten hours of photography which is required prior to the wedding. Then you pay for your album when you are ready to get it so it could definitely free up some space in the budget. However, he said the albums start at 2000 so you definitely are going to pay the same price I feel!


I ended up speaking to my wedding planner about it. She said that it is def ok to go with someone outside Disney. However, she said that she has had experiences where the off site photographer had issues because of timing of pics. Where as Disney photographers have an advantage of knowing the properties and timing of such events... like good firework shots ect. All of their photographers portfolios do not look disappointing.

In addition to that, I love the fact that the album say "Disney Fairy tale Wedding!" I just love that!

Overall, still time to think it over. I think id probably stick with disney for the photographer and then go outside for the video. THere video ranges from 3000-5000. I have found orlando vendors for a little more than 1000 for all day coverage, interviews, and montage!

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Just some FYI, DFTW gives you a 10% discount on all photo/video packages when you do both photo and video with them. Figure that in before contracting anyone as well.
Someone correct me if this has changed.

 

[Disney12bride]

I absolutely do believe that they give you ten percent off. However, there cheapest video package is around 3000... In comparison to 1000... so idk. There seems to be so many photographers and video people that have awesome shots of Disney weddings that are not owned by Disney. Some of the fire work shots are ones that even my wedding planner could not send me of Disney doing! So idk! and the fact you might not have rights to reprint your pics ??? So much to think about!

 

[Disney12bride]

Hey ladies, I just called Disney and it is def true that you have to pay extra for the reprint disk!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all of your thoughts. Ok here is what I know! Right now the package I am going with is the middle package. 8 hours of coverage a fifty page album from a choice of three, images on a dvd, and a parent album. This is going to cost 3600 plus 6.5 sales tax.

You should be aware that the DVD that is included with that package contains only "proof resolution" images — you can't actually print photos from them. Disney's price for a disc of hi-res images (printable up to 8x12 inches) is $1,000, and the price of archival images (printable up to 30x40 inches) is $1,200. So if you want to be able to print your own photos, you'll need to factor in that additional cost.

I did talk to an outside photographer as my entire wedding is going to be at the Grand Floridian; wedding, reception, and dessert party! He was going to charge 1195 for ten hours of photography which is required prior to the wedding. Then you pay for your album when you are ready to get it so it could definitely free up some space in the budget. However, he said the albums start at 2000 so you definitely are going to pay the same price I feel!

You can get an album made for FAR less than $2,000—you don't have to have it made by your photographer. Even if you don't want to DIY, there are services that will do high-quality flush-mount albums starting at about $200.

 

[MrsRomance]

I would totally agree with Carrie on the points she made

I also think that's a bit much saying that Disney photographers are the only ones who can get the 'timing' right as there are many photographers outside of Disney that have done DFTW shoots for years. I think discussing it with your planner/consultant you will most likely get a very slanted opinion and you need to take a look at/weigh up all your options.

For our VR, we had an hour included in our Memories package, however with the uncertainty of which photographer we would get and the cost factor we decided to decline the service and pay an outside vendor. We ended up getting over 4 hours of coverage and all the photos with the rights for less than Disney wanted for some extra prints!

 

[Disney12bride]

Ok girls thanks for all the info and your points... Does anyone have an outside vendor they can reccomend?? My pics are very important to me. The other thing is say the photographer you choose gets sick... then what. At least Disney offers back ups lol!!!

 

[qtsugarangl]

Ok girls thanks for all the info and your points... Does anyone have an outside vendor they can reccomend?? My pics are very important to me. The other thing is say the photographer you choose gets sick... then what. At least Disney offers back ups lol!!!

We chose an outside photographer because I want to guarantee that I know who my photographer is; it's one day, there's no do-over...so I want to know what kind of work they do and I want the rights to my photos.
There are several that have done many Disney weddings!

I'm sure others will come and add to the list but here are a few...

Misty Miotto
The Roots
David & Vicki Arndt
Randy Chapman
Jason Angelini
Studio 222

 

[lurkyloo]

Ok girls thanks for all the info and your points... Does anyone have an outside vendor they can reccomend?? My pics are very important to me. The other thing is say the photographer you choose gets sick... then what. At least Disney offers back ups lol!!!

Every professional wedding photographer has a plan in place in case they get sick or are otherwise unable to be there on the wedding day. Usually they know other professional photographers who can sub for them.

 

[Disney12bride]

Thank you so much for the list of people. I will be sure to check them all out! I really appreciate it. Can someone tell me how to put the countdown to my wedding up here. I think that is super cool.

 

[MrRomance]

Hey Ladies,
I am new to this site and have to say I love it! So I am hoping to get some more help. I am a wishes bride, and am so excited to have this day captured. However, after reading so many posts I have been seeing many people are going with photographers other than Disney. Can someone tell me if there are benefits to going with Disney? Is it significantly cost efficient to go with someone else????? Any thoughts and opinions are certainly welcome, please provide any cautions!

Firstly, congratulations and welcome!

Here is my take for what it's worth - Disney photography has been very hit and miss in recent times. There have been a lot of unhappy couples. Some photographers are great, others are...well....less than great. You can request a good one but there is no guarantee you'll get them.

We had Disney Photography included in our package (all be it just an hour and a few pictures) but we decided to forfeit it in favour of getting an outside vendor. The reasons were simple. a) inconsistency with Disney photographers and b) the costs

While we had an hour of photography for no extra than we'd paid already, to get all of the photographs (printed or on disk) would have cost a small fortune. It was a lot cheaper to hire the outside photographer than it was to buy the pictures or disk from Disney.

The downside is that outside photographers cannot shoot your wedding/reception/DP if it is inside a park, which is a problem for many people.
It really depends on where your wedding and reception will be. If you're not IN the parks, then an outside photographer is probably your best option. If any part of your day is in a park, then you are somewhat stuck with Disney for at least that portion of the day.

 

[tracey1302]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all of your thoughts. Ok here is what I know! Right now the package I am going with is the middle package. 8 hours of coverage a fifty page album from a choice of three, images on a dvd, and a parent album. This is going to cost 3600 plus 6.5 sales tax.

I did talk to an outside photographer as my entire wedding is going to be at the Grand Floridian; wedding, reception, and dessert party! He was going to charge 1195 for ten hours of photography which is required prior to the wedding. Then you pay for your album when you are ready to get it so it could definitely free up some space in the budget. However, he said the albums start at 2000 so you definitely are going to pay the same price I feel!


I ended up speaking to my wedding planner about it. She said that it is def ok to go with someone outside Disney. However, she said that she has had experiences where the off site photographer had issues because of timing of pics. Where as Disney photographers have an advantage of knowing the properties and timing of such events... like good firework shots ect. All of their photographers portfolios do not look disappointing.

In addition to that, I love the fact that the album say "Disney Fairy tale Wedding!" I just love that!

Overall, still time to think it over. I think id probably stick with disney for the photographer and then go outside for the video. THere video ranges from 3000-5000. I have found orlando vendors for a little more than 1000 for all day coverage, interviews, and montage!

That is a really reasonable price for an outside photographer for 10 hours of coverage! I think I'd have to get some quotes when we're ready. I really fancy Randy Chapman or the Roots...

 

[NicknNancy]

Thank you so much for the list of people. I will be sure to check them all out! I really appreciate it. Can someone tell me how to put the countdown to my wedding up here. I think that is super cool.

You have to make what is called a "Ticker".
To make one, just click here

Then, once you design your ticker on the website, it will give you an image code. Copy that code. Go back to the disboards and go to your User CP (look near the upper left corner of the page in the light blue bar).
Once in your control panel, click on "edit signature" (on the left side of the page).
You will get a box that looks like when you reply to someone's post. Click on the yellow image box with that mountainy thing in the font area. Then, when the image box comes up, paste the code.
You can also add links to your PJ by clicking on the globe and pasting the link to it. (To do this, it's useful to have multiple tabs or pages open so you don't lose your progress). When it is pasted, a highlighted text will appear and this is where you can change the name of the link to "Renee and Nate's Wedding PJ" or something like that.
You can then preview your signature to make sure it's what you want. Then save it!

Hope that helps! Let me know if it's confusing lol