New Disney Photography Policy

[inkedupmomma]

Just Popped in - I haven't been on in so long!

Does this policy apply to contract & date???

Meaning if my wedding is 9/1/2009 and I sign my contract 9/08, does that mean I am allowed to use an outside vendor or not?

as long as you sign that contract before 10-1-08 you're fine! it's the 0ct 09 brides and after that are sol

 

[DaDivatude]

Ok. So with the new rule, you are using Disney for in-park anything. (ugh...the price difference... ) But that's ok. My question is if Disney does photography like Randy. All I've seen were formal pics and MK shoots. I like how Randy does candid, journalistic type pics. One of my favorites is the rings sitting on the roses with the one rose colored and the rest black and white. Does Disney offer that kind of thing or are you stuck with formal shots?

Also, do they offer full out prints like Randy. I've heard that they give you a proof book with proof on it and that you have to order prints separately (which is strange considering you pay 5 grand for the best package not to already OWN the photos.)

 

[DecemberBride]

Thats what I'm concerned about... my DF and I aren't very formal as it is...

 

[JonetteA]

They have some photographers that do photojournalistic style. You can request a photographer, but you are not guaranteed that person.

 

[JonetteA]

Some other ideas.....

How much is DPS to photograph Illuminations now, let's say $350. So to get Illumination pics you are out $350. In the scheme of your wedding it isn't that much really. Especially once you get closer! It really becomes what is$300 more. =)

The people that this will impact the most is those that are having in park ceremonies or in park receptions. There are ways to get this to work and be the least expensive. Only do one thing in the park. Illuminations, Ceremony, or Reception. Find alternate locations. This is where your SM's can really really help you. Have DPS price out for the time you actually need. Don't think that you are going to get by with 1/2 hr though. Talk through this with your WP they can definately help you out!

How to use an outside vendor for your wedding:

In park Ceremony - Usually these are about an hour with pics beforehand or after depending on when you have your wedding. Get the lowest package that Disney offers, use outside vendor for Reception, and have a thank you party at the marina at the GF.

In park reception - Use outside vendor for your ceremony, and DPS for your reception. Using the least amount of time possible.

Illuminations - Use DPS if in Epcot, otherwise as long as you are not in the park you can use an outside vendor.

What do I do with overlap times?
Have Disney work off the rest of the package to get all of the formal group shots you want. That way you have the photojournalist outside vendor working your reception, etc.

What other things you can have whomever photograph, whether it is DPS or an outside vendor:

1) Photograph your rehearsal. I really wished I had had these photos.
2) Have them photograph your rehearsal dinner. This was fantastic for us!
3) Photograph bridal brunch/ breakfast/ Groom's time out with the boys/ Bridal shower if you have one there
4) Do a honeymoon shoot at a resort
5) Do a shoot at the resort in your wedding attire.
6) If you aren't going to use your dress again, do a trash the dress session. These are huge and edgy now! They are definately GLAM!


Just a few more ideas.

 

[Wazzo]

Awesome ideas Jonette! Thanks for posting!


With regards to this idea...

Have DPS price out for the time you actually need. Don't think that you are going to get by with 1/2 hr though. Talk through this with your WP they can definately help you out!

... do you mean that you can pay for only 1/2 hour of DPS if you wanted? I thought you HAD to get some sort of minimum package?

 

[JonetteA]

I would like to know if they would let a guest (or guests) of your wedding take pictures for the in-park portion? Then, you could have an outside vendor for the longer non-park portions of your plans. The actual ceremony doesn't last that long, but I still want pictures!

Wazzo, You could have a guest take them from a point and shoot perspective. But don't expect them to bring in professional grade equipment and do a full shoot. I am pretty sure that Disney will definately say something about it. These aren't the pics that you want to be done by an ameteur. (Ok, guys I can't spell. ) You want someone there that knows what they are doing. These are the memories you will have for a lifetime.

 

[hiwaygal]

Awesome ideas Jonette! Thanks for posting!


With regards to this idea...



... do you mean that you can pay for only 1/2 hour of DPS if you wanted? I thought you HAD to get some sort of minimum package?

I think what JonetteA meant (and I apologize to her if I'm wrong) is to talk with Disney and see if they will work with you to customize a package that works for you! A 1/2 hour package is probably not going to be enough time to capture your event.

 

[JonetteA]

Thanks Denise you are correct. Sorry guys. I am exhausted and not very clear anymore!

 

[Wazzo]

Thanks Denise you are correct. Sorry guys. I am exhausted and not very clear anymore!

No apologies necessary!!

Your ideas are great, and your suggestion to try and work with your WP to customize a DPS plan is uplifting too!

Thank you again for your help in coming up with ideas to work with the new policy!

 

[hiwaygal]

No apologies necessary!!

Your ideas are great, and your suggestion to try and work with your WP to customize a DPS plan is uplifting too!

Thank you again for your help in coming up with ideas to work with the new policy!

I have to agree, she did a great job with alternative ideas!

 

[Starseeker1221]

Wazzo, You could have a guest take them from a point and shoot perspective. But don't expect them to bring in professional grade equipment and do a full shoot. I am pretty sure that Disney will definately say something about it. These aren't the pics that you want to be done by an ameteur. (Ok, guys I can't spell. ) You want someone there that knows what they are doing. These are the memories you will have for a lifetime.

In our case, we are having a friend do all the photography for us in exchange for paying for her to airfare and hotel cost. She is professional wedding photographer, and we would definitely want her to be doing a full shoot before/after the ceremony (which is not in the park)... but would she then not even be allowed at the reception (Which we were planning to do in the park)? I know she definitely wouldn't be able to bring massive amounts of equipment into the reception and do staged shots and things, but what if she just wanted to come and take photos with her normal cameras as a guest? I guess I'm just having trouble figuring out where Disney would draw the line.... because I don't want to lose the chance to have her photograph all the other parts of the wedding, but at the same time, I don't want to risk them saying she can't be present at the reception. Do you think we should just change to out of park locations to avoid any possible issues??

 

[JonetteA]

Thanks guys! I am trying. This is definately an example of what we do here! We can make this work!

 

[PRPrincess1081]

Ok, Here is a new start. I hope that you guys can work with this and starting looking at what you can do vs. what you can't do. This thread will be monitored and we need to put a work around. Disney does read this board, and it is really easy for them to figure out who you are. Remember this when you post. Also, any cussing, etc will NOT be tolerated.

After getting off of the phone with my WP, here is the new policy.

If you signed your contract PRIOR to 10/1/2008, you are under the old rules. If you sign your contract on or after 10/1/2008 you are under the new rules. The rules are if you go through a ticket taker machine you are in the park. So for my wedding, I had my ceremony at the UK Pavillion and then my reception at CG and then Illuminations. I would be charged if I had signed my contract after 10/1/2008 for the ceremony and for Illuminations to use DPS. I could use Randy for my reception.

What other ideas can I do to make my event special?

Desert Party locations:

Summerhouse for wishes
GF Marina

Other ideas:
Custom Fireworks on the beach near the Wedding Pavillion
Thank you Dinner at the Summerhouse

Ceremony locations:
Don't overlook SBP, or the Yacht Club Gazebo.

I am really looking to hear what you guys have in your mind that you can share with others. At this point, I don't think we have many 2010, or 2011 brides. If you guys are out there, at all costs sign your contract prior to 10/1/2009. I would also FEDEX my contract so that I get a signed receipt. Remember your contract is not executed until they receive your contract.

Thanks!

Jonette

When you say
Ceremony locations:
Don't overlook SBP, or the Yacht Club Gazebo.
Do you mean not to have them there or its ok to have the Escape Wedding there and use Randy as a photographer.
I just booked my wedding for april 20, 2009 at the Yacht Club Gazebo.

I just want to make sure I can use Randy for pictures

 

[meryll83]

At this point, I don't think we have many 2010, or 2011 brides. If you guys are out there, at all costs sign your contract prior to 10/1/2009. I would also FEDEX my contract so that I get a signed receipt. Remember your contract is not executed until they receive your contract.

Thanks!

Jonette

We can't!!

I'm a late October 09 bride, and they won't let me contract until late October this year, so I'm about 3 weeks under the new rule and there's nothing I can do about it No go in booking before 12 months out.

At least it's only our dessert party that's to be in a park though, and I asked if we could sub the Disney ceremony photography included in the Escape package for the dessert party photos, but they wouldn't let me do that either! Man, they are strict!! I tried though!

 

[Wazzo]

When you say
Ceremony locations:
Don't overlook SBP, or the Yacht Club Gazebo.
Do you mean not to have them there or its ok to have the Escape Wedding there and use Randy as a photographer.
I just booked my wedding for april 20, 2009 at the Yacht Club Gazebo.

I just want to make sure I can use Randy for pictures

You can have Escape weddings at SBP and the YCG and use Randy. I think she was just reminding people not to forget those locations, since they are so beautiful!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

One thing about the changes is maybe they will offer additional packages and include more products in the packages. Especially if they are competing with the outside vendors. I am sure Disney will come through!!

I wonder if the lack of quality has anything to do with the fact that the brides are using outside vendors for their wedding (which I am one of). Its kind of like saying to them, well you aren't good enough for my wedding but you are only doing my MK shoot because I HAVE to use you. Kind of a slap in the face I guess. I would be bitter too but I am still using Misty for my wedding.

Something good will come out of this I am sure.

 

[Swmhc]

At our wedding, (YC Gazebo) we did have Randy, but we also had two avid photographers that were spouses of our BM and MOH. Quite frankly, their cameras looked almost as cumbersome as Randy's (though their pictures did not compare). One of them even brought their camera to our "reception luncheon" at Prime Time and nothing was said to them. A lot of people have impressive cameras, so I think it will be hard for Disney to tell someone they can't take photos. However, if you don't have an official photographer, then it will become obvious.

For those on a budget (and especially for Escape brides), use DPS with a small package (or that which is included) and have your friends take lots. The you should have some professional, posed shots and plenty of photojournalistic ones too. I have noticed since they changed the MK shoot and Epcot shoots in the past 6 months, couples are getting tons more photos taken and DPS is doing some photoshopping now too. I think more good things are coming.

Again, I think DPS will come out with more info in the near future. They just got the news and were passing it on at DFTW, so I am certain they are working on changes to accomodate the rules.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Another suggestion is if you have your reception at the Attic or ADH I am sure you can see Illuminations from there. Its another way of getting the fireworks view and still keeping the outside photographer

 

[Nicola2010]

If you're just joining the party, here's a summary of the change we're all referring to:

Non-Disney photographers and videographers will no longer be allowed at any in-park event (ceremony, reception, dessert party, etc.).

They will still be allowed at all other venues.

The change applies to anyone who signs a contract after Sept. 30, 2008. If you sign a contract before then, you can still have an outside vendor in the parks for photo/video.

Thanks for clarifying

I havent been around much lately (revising for exams ) so have completely missed this topic of conversation.

I am hoping to be a May 2010 bride so new rules would apply to me as i cant even get pencilled in until November this year but we had planned to go with the Disney photographers anyway as dont want to go much over the wishes minimum if we can help it (and DF would prefer photography to be part of our minimum instead of paying extra and i dont disagree with him).

We plan on having our reception at the UK lower terrace followed by a DP there also... we were going to go for the lowest price package through Disney... cant remember how many hours that is off the top of my head but under these new rules does it mean that they could photograph my DP as well as my ceremony at the pavillion all for the basic package price or would that still be extra? If we couldnt use all of the hours we were paying for, for the ceremony and guest pics alone would they photograph the reception?

Im a little confused as to what settings for photos are included in the package price... 2 hours of pics at the wedding pavillion seems like a long time is it not?