Photography and Makeup...Happy/Sad! :) :(

[TiffinyKaye]

Haven't been in here much over the past few days. Busy... And even now, it's tough because I had a root canal the other day that I'm afraid isn't healing right...and in TONS of pain. Still--I wanted to share the good news...

It was a super tough decision, but we are not going with Regina for our photography (like I wanted ). DF and I are on two different sides of the photography style spectrum, but I can live with either. So, with that being the case--the compromise was to go with his top pick: The Roots!

I'm not disappointed in the decision at all...but there are certainly things, the more that I looked at Regina's photos...that really caught my eye. As a former Disney photographer, she took with her that ethereal, fairy-tale look that I so wanted for my wedding. I seriously LOVE her stuff. I also seriously LOVE the Roots stuff too...but for different reasons. In the end, the decision was made that because I would be good with either, and DF would only be okay with one...we'd go with his pick.

It'll be a good pick though. Their stuff is beautiful. I have some concerns that are probably completely unfounded and because I'm dumb...so, I'll just have to hope for the best. Overall though, I'm excited. I feel like it's a HUGE score to have the photographers who I've long considered to be THE BEST of all the people who I've seen do Disney weddings actually do MY wedding. Hopefully they can make it look just as gorgeous as they made Carrie's, and everyone else's that I've seen. Hopefully, the finished products come out looking good enough to be "blog worthy." They don't have to end up on a blog--just be good enough to. If a photographer's willing enough to put your stuff up as representative of their work--that means they believe in it.

NOW...for the bad news...

I don't think I'm the only Disney bride that uses Carrie's wedding as the barometer upon which you measure your own wedding. You look at all the stuff she had, and the resources she used (her wedding photos are why I'm using Roots!)--and you just get disappointed when you can have the same stuff.

I got an official confirmation today that LeJeune doesn't have availability for December 8th, 2014. I was so sad that I almost cried. Their work is beautiful--and I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm not familiar with the work of anyone else in the area. If Disney had a bridal show in 2014 like they did last year...I would be tempted to go just to see the work of others in the area. Now though? Totally lost. Now I'm looking into Weddings by Crystal, Marigold Scott (one of the top on my list), and M3 Beauty Services. They're just people I quickly found on WeddingWire.com...and I've seen positive reviews from Weddings By Crystal on here before. So...I've sent emails requesting quotes.

Anyone know what's reasonable for good, quality work in terms of price? I was always very impressed with Lejeune. It's hard for me to compare anyone else.

Sadness, sadness.

Tiffiny

 

[andeesings]

Tiffiny- The Roots would be my DREAM photographers! Their photojournalistic style is so unposed and natural and amazing- I'm sure you'll LOVE them. Are you having an engagement session to see how you and your fiancé like them before the wedding? That might help ease your mind. That fuzzy, "ethereal" look you like isn't really a photography style-- it's added afterwards with Photoshop. You can make ANY photograph look like that with good photo editing software. I'm almost 100% positive that ANYONE can add that effect. You're looking for a photographer than can compose shots, suggest spots for amazing shots, get great unexpected angles, make you relaxed and comfortable-- that's DEFINITELY the Roots! I'm sure you'll LOVE your photographs. Plus they're a team that works super well together, they won't miss a shot!!!

 

[October 2014 Bride]

Hi Tiffiny,

So sorry you can't get Patricia Lejeune. I've just looked at their work and it is amazing so I can see why you would be disappointed but I know there are lots of other amazing hair and make up artists in Orlando so you will find one you love as much. I've just emailed them to see if they are free for my wedding. Bit worried now that they wont be available for mine as mine is before yours. I really loved The Roots photography but unfortunately we couldn't afford them for our wedding - we are using Vicki and David Arndt.

Vicky

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Hi Tiffiny,

So sorry you can't get Patricia Lejeune. I've just looked at their work and it is amazing so I can see why you would be disappointed but I know there are lots of other amazing hair and make up artists in Orlando so you will find one you love as much. I've just emailed them to see if they are free for my wedding. Bit worried now that they wont be available for mine as mine is before yours. I really loved The Roots photography but unfortunately we couldn't afford them for our wedding - we are using Vicki and David Arndt.

Vicky

We'll see who I can find for makeup, Vicky. I've already sent out like four requests for quotes from other people--I want to get someone booked by next week. If the good artists (like Lejeune) are gone a year out...I'm just super nervous. So, we'll see.

What are the Arndt's charging you, Vicky? My fiance and I emailed them. They emailed us back saying they had a lot of 'options,' but they wouldn't give us the options up front of how much they were going to cost...so that made us nervous and we didn't consider them further. The Roots have their prices right on their website...so that made us feel a lot better. We also have a friend here that does photography named Opie (opiefoto.com) that I tried everything I could do to get her to come do the wedding...but decided to stop doing out of state weddings once she had a baby. Her stuff is GORGEOUS though...so I trusted her opinion in picking the photographer. We had her look at their work and their prices...and she was like, "For their skill level...you're actually getting quite a deal. They make all their money on the session and really not that much on the products." She compared their prices to her's...and I guess it IS a deal for the quality of work.

No matter what...it's all sticker shock to me. I can't BELIEVE how much I'm spending on freaking pictures....

Tiffiny

 

[holula]

Yay for the Roots! I would have loved to have been able to afford them, but there was no way they were in our budget. We are also going with David and Vicki Arndt. The reason they have lots of options is because their prices depend on Wishes/Escape/Cruise etc and how much coverage you want with any of those events and if you want albums, printed photos etc that they have TONS of options. They were really helpful and gave me prices straight away when I told them what kind of wedding I was looking at etc.

Sorry to hear you can't get Patricia! She was never an option for us because it is only me getting hair/make up and she doesn't do the early hours any more. We are using Jackie at Beaute Speciale (I have requested her). She did my e-pics and I loved her! She took direction well too.

 

[October 2014 Bride]

I think the quote varies depending on the day of the week etc but we are paying $1845 for 10 hours of coverage on a Wednesday with the DVD and website only. You get a 15% discount for being a Disney Bride as well. I see you have now booked the Roots. I've just looked at their website again and can't tell you how jealous I am. Your photos will be amazing!

Hope you found another hair and make up artist. I've heard back from Patricia Lejeune and she is free - I am so relieved just waiting to finalize details. Who are the other ones you've found? Will be useful to keep as back up options in case it doesn't work out.

 

[1EvilQueenfan]

I would look into Beaute Speciale! A lot of Disney brides have used them! I'm using them for my MK bridal shoot. They seemed to be reasonably priced. There was another person I contacted. Her name was Jackie but I forget what her company was called. If I think of it I'll post it! Good luck

Jodi

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Well, I'm back. Hopefully I'll actually sit down in the next day or two and do a new entry in my planning journal. Things have been so busy!

Yes...did book Roots. I was freaking out about it, so my fiance basically shook me (not literally) to just calm down. So...I will just freak out less and be happy that the pictures will be pretty.

And took you guys' suggestion...booked Beaute Speciale. I have at least put down my deposit on the day of the wedding. They want me to get my date scheduled for the trial run and stuff, but the problem is that I have no idea when we're getting out MK photos done. If I had decided to use Disney Photography, scheduling would be a lot easier...but I guess we'll just try to figure stuff out. And everyone was right on Disney Photography--they CAN'T guarantee your photographer (which I'm not okay with). It even said so in our contract.

I will write it in my planner to do a planning journal entry tomorrow--lots of fun stuff to talk about.

Thanks everyone!

 

[aristocatz]

I would look into Beaute Speciale! A lot of Disney brides have used them! I'm using them for my MK bridal shoot. They seemed to be reasonably priced. There was another person I contacted. Her name was Jackie but I forget what her company was called. If I think of it I'll post it! Good luck

Jodi

Another vote for Beaute Speciale! I used them for my wedding & could not have been happier with the price or the talents of the ladies who worked with me

 

[TiffinyKaye]

You guys win. I'm going Beaute Speciale. I put my deposit down and signed a contract the other day. What really sold me on them is that their makeup style appears pretty close to Patricia Lejeune...and it doesn't look caked on. Plus, they don't charge a travel fee to the Disney resort, so that was a HUGE plus for me.

Tiffiny

 

[Bewitch324]

I'm using Beaute Speciale for my hair/makeup trial for my engagement pictures next weekend; I'll let you know how it goes...

Brooke