We hired Patken Photographers to photograph & video our wedding. We have had numerous problems with them, so here is our letter that was sent to them. We hope you find this helpful, and that you never have to experience the disappointment we did after viewing our pictures and video. September 30, 2009 Patken Photographers 119-A East Sunrise Hwy. Lindenhurst, NY 11757 Dear Mr. Doug Patken: After extensive research, including the recommendation of other brides and grooms, the endorsement of our catering hall, Chateau La Mer, and our own impression of your organization after meeting with Nadira, we hired Patken Photographer to photograph and film our July 25, 2009 wedding ceremony at St. James Church in Seaford and reception at Chateau La Mer in Lindenhurst. We were pleased with our choice and confident that Patken Photographer would do the best job in capturing the ceremony and festivities surrounding the start of our marriage. Unfortunately, we feel we were let down by the staff at Patken Photographer, specifically photographer Vinny and videographer Raymond, as many important moments, including Meghan’s walk down the aisle with her father, were not captured. We were fortunate to have hundreds of people -- friends, family and loved ones -- witness our wedding. We were looking forward to watching and reliving everything -- the special moments -- through photos and videos. But the most important ones aren't there for us to see. Everyone in the church got to see the bride walk down the aisle. Everyone except the bride and her father, who expected to watch it later and for years to come. Beloved family members, including an uncle who passed away less than a month after the wedding, were not photographed. Generations of our families were in attendance -- great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren – and we have nothing to show from it. Initially, we thought the day went smoothly. Everyone was polite, helpful and accommodating. It was after we started to review our proofs and our video that our happiness turned to disappointment and anger, as we learned that key moments and special people from our day were not captured. • According to Vinny, there was a "glitch in the camera tape" (his words), and Meghan's walk down the aisle with her father was not recorded. This is completely unacceptable. It's an iconic moment, probably one of the most important of the day, aside from when the bride and groom exchange vows. The congregation rises to its feet. The doors open. The music swells. And in comes the bride on her father's arm -- about to take THE walk -- the one towards the rest of her life. It's something we'll never get back and we are simply heartbroken over its absence. • Once we reviewed the edited copy of the video, we also noticed that important moments from the ceremony were not filmed. For instance, when our parents lit the unity candle, as well as a sentimental moment of great personal importance during that time, when the church bells started to ring and then changed songs in the middle. • Despite providing a list of people and events that we wanted photographed, many of our requests were not fulfilled, including photos of grandparents, family members and friends. • We specifically asked for extended family portraits on both the bride's and groom's side and none were taken. When we spoke to Vinny about it at our meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2009 he put the blame on us, saying that he had asked us a couple of times during the reception if everything was o.k. To our recollection, Vinny asked us only once, after the garter was thrown (about 45 minutes before our reception ended), if he was all set to leave and if we had everything. Meghan reminded him that he hadn’t gotten a picture of her from above, which he did then take. In the midst of the emotions and the whirlwind of the day, we were unable to keep track of what pictures were taken, nor should we have been expected to. That’s why we hired a professional photographer, not only to take pictures, but to keep track of his work and make sure what we had previously discussed had been adhered to. Unfortunately, we ignorantly assumed that everything on our list had been taken. We both feel strongly that it shouldn’t have been our responsibility to remind our professional of what we wanted, especially when a written list (attached) was given to Vinny and discussed two weeks prior to our wedding. (At that pre-wedding meeting, Vinny said he would let our DJ know when he was ready to take big family portraits, so that the DJ could then announce it and make sure everyone was included.) We have been offered compensation by Vinny, in the form of an upgraded video and album, along with extra prints and a few photos framed, but this is not nearly enough. At this point, we feel that monetary reimbursement needs to be made – we do not think we should have to pay for the videography and are asking for a refund of $2,607. We will never be able to recapture the significance of the day and are saddened that we placed our trust in an organization that ultimately let us down. With extreme disappointment, Meghan & Joe