Would we regret it if we did this?

[JDR2b777]

Hi! We are trying to balance a budget right now and decide which things are the most important to us. I really feel strongly about having videography. Call me a dork, but I LOVE video montages. I actually go through my life thinking how cool it would be if I were on a TV show and thinking which song they'd be playing in the background for whatever it is that I'm doing (before you think I'm a COMPLETE dork, I don't do this all the time! )

Anyway, my fiance (to my delight) REALLY wants to do a MK photo session. The bridal one, not the honeymoon one.

SO, here is the question. If we are doing videography and the MK photo session, do you think it would be ok to save some money on regular photography and just have family members who we trust take pictures with their digital cameras? My mom's good friend was the photographer for my sister's wedding (total amateur, just has a really nice camera and tripod) and they turned out so nice! Would we be crazy to make this choice?

Any thoughts would be so appreciated!

I am in the same boat. My budget is 15,000 (Sunday wedding). It can't go over. I have a bare mininmum and I have gotten everything I wanted so far with disney. It came down to video and photos. They are both important to me. I have the MK photo session as my only disney photo.

I have Misty Miotto from www.mistymiotto.com. Her PRICES are PERFECT! her images look like anyone elses but at a more affordable price. The next choice was video.

I have www.orlandoweddingfilms.com. I needed a video of my wedding - I just can't live without it. I would ask someone who was attending our wedding but then I wanted it to be stress free for everyone. My mom wanted disney to do everything - but I wanted other things to make it special.. illuminations - major domo - MK shoot & covered chairs. That brings me to 15,000 without photo/video. Looking a randy - disney..ect on photo and video it would have been another 2,000 or more.

I will get a video and photos all for the total price 1,437. With 6 hours or more of time and memories. I personally couldn't beat that price. My mom thinks I am crazy - but I have got to save money. i just can't afford spending 1,500 on photos and 1500 on a video.

 

[ead79]

I can totally relate to how you feel, as having a wedding video was extremely important to me. I'd have to look at my budget to be positive, but I'm pretty sure we spent more on the videography than on the photography (if not, it was pretty close). While I'm sure some brides won't watch their wedding videos many times, I knew in advance that I would watch mine. And I absolutely have--probably 20+ times. LOL! It sounds like you would be the same way--remember, you know yourself best.

My honest opinion is that you get what you pay for in terms of hiring a professional vs. having a family member do it. I feel this way about both photos and videos. Unless a family member is a professional photographer, then they don't have the expensive equipment that the professionals use or the editing equipment and skills that the videographers use. If there is any way to save money elsewhere, then I suggest doing that instead.

I wouldn't trade my professional photos and videos for anything except maybe my splurge wedding gown, LOL.

 

[Laurafoster]

Im the same, although ive not had my wedding yet i know i will watch the video! To be honest i could have gone alot cheaper for the photos + video but i felt like i would be compromising on the quality which i didnt want. I found the perfect balance with Stan and Randy - good quality work but a reasonable price!

 

[druidia]

I couldn't live without any of them personally. Tough call! I do watch my video a lot, and the pictures just do not do the emotion of that day justice. I'm so glad we had it.

I would not suggest using family for the ceremony photos or video, because you will likely want someone to be near the altar area with you for those. But I will tell you that we did get some pretty good shots from all of our family and friends from the entire day, so you may luck out!

We used Randy for ~8 hours. He came to my room and did photos when we were getting ready and stayed with us through the reception.

We had video from our arrival at the BW through the reception, ~6 hours.

I didn't miss the video while we were getting ready; I probably could have done without the photos during that time as well. I'm shy and don't like the cameras around me, but that day I got used to it.

Maybe you could have family and friends do the early shots before the ceremony and only use a pro during the ceremony and reception to cut costs a little? You will want a pro during the dessert party. Most amateurs don't have the proper equipment to get fireworks shots, and you will want those.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks! I'm so glad some of you understand what I'm saying What do you think about doing a middle of the road videography and then the lowest photography option? That would probably run around $2500-$2600 total for both. Does that seem pretty average?

 

[JDR2b777]

Seems like an average price for both to me. Go for it.

 

[Laurafoster]

It depends what exactly you are looking for?

How many hours, just a normal video with no special effects or additional copies etc?

That does seem like an average price though! Just make sure your happy with who ever you go with, ask to see samples of their work etc. I know someone on here recently had a problem with her video and was really upset, aslong as you are happy with what they have done etc then go for it!