Hayden: Thank you. It is my honor.
Mom60: Mr. Ellebud and I were married at Rivera 38 years ago!
Yikes. Just spoke to D, I had asked her to call and reserve time for me to get my makeup done. She has informed me that all 6 bridesmaids want hair/and or makeup done as well. That kind of shocks me as 4 of the 6 are divas who look fabulous doing their own selfs. Add in the grooms mom (who I adore) and that makes 9 of us. Mind you, this is in rural VT, and while it is a great place, not sure of how many staff they have to handle us. I asked daughter if she asked about the timing and she said they told her “it will be fun.”
Huh?
I believe @teriwtt has a daughter living in LA area… I bet they checked out a few venues.
@BunsenBurner and @hayden - I think D2 and fiancé checked out a couple of possible venues in LA proper, but ultimately decided on a venue in Buellton, in the Santa Ynez wine valley (outside of Santa Barbara). It’s actually a working ranch that rents out its venue on weekends for weddings. The area is special for them because that’s where they did their first ever get away weekend together, where they got engaged, and where they belong to a couple of wine clubs. I saw the venue in October, when everything was brown due to the drought. They’ve had a ton of rain this winter, and everything is green now; by mid-March, everything will be in bloom, too, so no real need for a florist, etc.
Woohoo…officially booked the band this morning!
Now…on to the photographer. Yikes…they are costly!!
S and DIL spent alot on the photographer, relative to other vendors, and felt it was worth it since that’s what you’re left with after the day.
Wish I had $100 for every time D would say “Pictures last forever.” She felt this was one of the area where you shouldn’t skimp. Good luck on the photographer search, thumper1!
Relatively close to your area @hayden (we live near your kids LA locale) : Look into Glendale and Pasadena. We have been to weddings at Castle Green in Pasadena, The Brand Library in Glendale and the most spectacular at Villa del Sol d’Oro. http://www.villadelsoldoro.org http://www.castlegreen.com https://www.bitecatering.net/venues/brand-park-library-glendale
We are getting cost for photographer that are in the $5000-$7000 range. Sorry, but that seems VERY expensive to me. Your thoughts?
I think D’s photographer was $5000 and S’s photographer in 2012 was close to that as well.
Oh brother!! I need to start asking around. We have a good friend who is a photographer…will ask for suggestions.
So, curious, what does the wedding couple get for that $5,000 package?
@thumper, my D also feels this is one area not to skimp on. Photos are very important to them. I THINK D’s photographer is in the same ballpark. Cost includes two photographers, starting at 11am and going thru to the evening reception and dance. And we will have a LOT of family photos, as FSIL is from a huge family. Have seen photographers (they also did engagement photos) work and have been impressed.
One thing our photographer requested was a boxed dinner in lieu of the catered meal (which the musicians and another vendor contractually required). They felt they were on the move and wouldn’t have time to sit and eat. Saved us a few bucks…sort of…
We want the photographer before the wedding…and during the reception…but being done about 2 hours before the reception ends.
Suggestion from friend…the last two hours…during the dancing and such…not the best time for pics.
Stay tuned.
How many people here come from a tradition where the photographer follows the bride around all day, including at her home or wherever she’s dressing? I know it’s out there, but that’s one expensive proposition!
Yes…photographers here come while folks are getting ready! We expect that.
Thanks for the info, @gosmom. In this digital age, does the price include albums like in the old days or just digital access? I guess the question is, what output is received at the end of the service provided?
@doschicos, I have not seen contract, so 100% sure…but I do believe I heard about the physical album as well as digital. For their engagement photos, I believe over 900 shots were taken – yikes!
FWIW, D very cognizant of fact that our side of family is rarely together, photos even more rare, so that’s motivating her. There will be only be three generations present–my grandfather turns 100 a month before, but he will not be traveling; also, my great nieces and nephews are not invited (due to space), or we could have had five generations present!
Thanks, @gosmom. I know that “way back when” a lot of the expense was in the cost of developing and printing photos. These days, it seems labor cost would be the main cost so just surprised by the price tag. That said, I know some people spend multiples of that to get high end, production quality videos with drone photography, etc.
My daughters have spent in the neighborhood of $5K for their wedding photographers. D1 spent that in 2011 in the DC area and got 9 hours of coverage (including the bride and groom getting ready), a photographers’ assistant, an engagement photo session, digital access to all photos, and a couple of nicely done wedding albums. Since this photog was 8 months pregnant for the wedding, she booked and brought along a 2nd photographer at her own expense, in case she went into labor on the day. Great photos.
D2 spent slightly more in the central VA area in 2014 and got slightly fewer hours of coverage (7?), but the package did include getting ready photos for both bride and groom, the engagement photos, the assistant who also shot some pictures, and the digital access. This guy is highly praised and he did not disappoint.
D3 is spending in the neighborhood of $4K in central VA for 7 hours of wedding day coverage, an assistant, the engagement photos, and digital access.
Suggestion: if your venue has an area for both bride and groom to get ready (as many do today), it’s possible for the photographer to get really nice shots of both families getting ready. Otherwise, more getting ready shots will be of the bride.
I think some of the best candid shots we have are of people dancing and the end of the night, so in our case the additional hours are worth it. This was a big chunk of my kids’ wedding budgets, but no regrets.