Photography Question

[SailorsPrincess]

I just received our package of info from the wedding coordinator yesterday (that was so much fun to look through!)

My question is about photography. I'm assuming we do not have to use their photography, but how does Disney work that (do we pay them to let someone else come in and take the pictures? if so, how much?) AND, what about meeting the minimums? Taking the photography package out (we wanted the $5000+ one, because it gives us the unlimited time) that leaves us with $5000 of add ons? I'm confused, but feel like I shouldn't be! LOL! I am almost wanting to switch to the Escape package (but we want to have our renewal in the WP, and since our wedding anniversary falls on a Friday, we had to go with wishes). It's no big deal, I'm sure I can pick out $5000 worth of add on's but I kind of feel like it would be a waste, KWIM? or no? lol

One more question, should we go with Disney video? or someone else? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[caryndisneydiva]

i think i can help here...

you don't have to pay the estimate that they sent you. should you choose to go with another photographer you won't be charged the 5k for disney photography. disney doesn't charge you for using an outside photographer or videographer. i used randy chapman for my photographer and starfruit productions for my videographer. personally, there was recently a horror story about disney videography forgetting to show up for a bride's wedding and i wouldn't use them. using an outside vendor will save you money on both things.

check out these links for who i used, you can see the video highlight of my wedding on starfruits site

www.chapmanphotography.com

www.starfruitprod.com

 

[DisBride2007]

I see what you mean. The money you would spend on photography and videography if you used outside vendors wouldn't go toward your $15k minimum, so yes, as you say, you will need to add $5k in "extras" if you were already at or below your minimum.

I don't know where you are in the process, but have you already received a BEO? The charges have a way of adding up very quickly. For example, our floral bill alone (for 31 guests) was over $4k! You may be at your minimum without even needing to add the photography.

Everyone is different, but I think most people would rather spend half the price of Disney photography on an outside vendor, and then spend the $5k on the "extras."

HTH!

 

[padisneyfour]

I totally agree with that....but I really liked the works of several outside vendors that I have seen on the boards but it does comes down to everyones own choice.

 

[lurkyloo]

The others have already answered your questions, but I wanted to chime in and say how glad I am that I used an outside vendor for my photography (www.rootography.com). You can click the PIX! link in my signature to see how ours turned out.

Disney will not give you the hi-res digital versions of your photos unless you pay $1,000 for them. (The CD that comes with the $5,000 package includes what they call "standard" resolution photos that are only good enough for email, not for making prints.)

On the other hand, all the outside vendors will give you a copy of all your hi-res images on disc as part of their packages, which are considerably cheaper than Disney's.

As for video, even before the recent horror story about Disney forgetting to video a wedding, I had heard a lot of negative reviews of the vendor Disney uses for videography. One bride's husband won't even let her watch their video because it is so bad. On the other hand, Bobbie (Firefly01) just used Disney for her video and is very happy with it.

I used Star Fruit productions, and I will post a link to a clip when I get my video.

HTH

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Disney, for an in-park wedding event (ceremony, reception and/or dessert party), will only charge you $30/hour host fee per vendor.
We are planning on using Misty Miotto and Orlando Wedding Films. They have great rates, and Misty does a CD only option priced perfectly. Don't limit yourself

 

[FIREFLY01]

i know disney does not charge a vendor fee for outside vendors, we like caryn and alot of people used Randy Chapman, he is wonderful, carrie (lurkyloo) used the roots and her picts were beautiful, i would definitly go with an outside photographer, you get more the money, they are usually cheaper, and much better,

AS FOR THE VIDEO,

I used Disny and was actually very happy my video is awesome!, Disney used a company called Bruno White, I spoke with them ahead and told them what i wanted and they did it plus more, my video was about 1.5 hrss long and its really good!,I know there were problems in the past, with disney video but they went with this new company.

for photos i would use:
#1 Randy Chapman chapman photography
#2 the roots rootography??? i think

thats just my 2 cents but everyone who has gone with the above has been very happy!

 

[Swmhc]

Someone correct me if they have changed this and I am out of the loop, but I know in the past you could have an Escape ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion. I think you have a shorter window for booking, but I know there have been a lot of Escape ceremonies held there. I think the Wishes get first dibs, but I thought you could do Escape as well. Anyone ?? If all else fails, at the last possible moment perhaps you could switch to an Escape. By then the time frame would be too short for a Wishes bride to book it. Just a thought ! I know they will let you switch.

 

[hiwaygal]

I think the problem is she wants the wedding on a Friday...

However, I seem to recall other Intimate (now Escape) brides having ceremonies on Fridays (and even Saturdays) at the WP. It may be that Disney is getting stricter on that policy or it may be as simple as the OP "strenuously" requesting the Escape option at the WP on a Friday.

Personally, I feel as though Disney photgraphy gets a really bad rap around here. They do an excellent job and their services and prices are comparable to national averages for wedding photography. Most (not all) of the negative reviews come from folks who have never used Disney photography for any services. If you must use Disney to meet your minimums, you can be assured that your photos will be professionally and beautifully done.

I cannot comment on Disney Videography as I did not use their services.

I will agree with others that you can probably easily come up with $5000 of additional services for your wedding at Disney if you choose to use an outside photographer. You can consider having Cinderella's coach, characters for your reception, upgrade your menu options, and offer some other entertainment to meet that minimum. There are a lot of options!

 

[lurkyloo]

Disney recently discontinued the $30/hour escort fee for all events, in-park or otherwise. We had an outside videographer and photographer in Epcot and were not charged.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Disney recently discontinued the $30/hour escort fee for all events, in-park or otherwise. We had an outside videographer and photographer in Epcot and were not charged.

Wow that's great!! I hope that's true and they just didn't do you a favor. That will save me a few hundred dollars!

 

[lurkyloo]

Oh believe me, they didn't do us ANY favors

I was told by DFTW that the fee is gone (meaning it isn't like it just didn't show up on my bill), so I think you're safe!

 

[SailorsPrincess]

You are all so very helpful

I emailed Randy, and STVS, now I am just waiting for a response.

Thank you so much!!

 

[shezfrombermuda]

Wow that's great!! I hope that's true and they just didn't do you a favor. That will save me a few hundred dollars!

It is true! It is still written in the contract that you need to pay escort fees for any outside photographers or videographers but I called and confirmed that there are not charging for this anymore. They just haven't written a new contract yet.

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

Hey all! I have a different question regarding photography...

Did anyone have a morning/afternoon reception and a DP with a break in between and photographer for everything? We're interested in a noon ceremony, 1-2 cocktail hour, 2-6 reception and the Illuminations DP. We love the thought of a couple hours to rejuvinate by ourselves and get back to socializing for the DP later.

Originally, I didn't care whether we had a photographer for the DP or not but in seeing other pictures (especially Lurkyloo's!) I'm really wanting a photographer there now.

1. How soon before the ceremony does photography normally start?
2. How much would a photographer normally charge per hour in addition to a package (understanding each photog is different)?

Thanks! Every little bit helps when trying to project a budget!

 

[lurkyloo]

Well the way we did it was our photographers took a break between the end of the reception and beginning ot our DP (i.e. they weren't "on the clock"), but we had 6 whole hours in between.

Photography can start however soon before the ceremony you want it to. I didn't want any getting ready pix, but we did schedule two hours before the ceremony to have our pictures together (we did a staged "first look" so we'd still have that first surprise of seeing each other all dressed up captured on film. The look on DH's face is priceless!).

It's hard to say what a photog would charge for the DP because they're all different. Ours charged us a flat hourly rate and we had them come for one hour (our DP was only one hour). I know at least one other photog charges a flat fee for the entire DP, and Disney's price for the DP is $350 for one hour of photography.

Hope that helps a little...