The Pros

jenmo214

Has anyone used "The Pros" for photography, dj, and/or videographer?  We are looking into using them but would hear a little more about them from people who have experienced them.  Thanks!!

LaRositaMonita

Stay away.  Check out the Philly Blog (link in my signature) or give us your budget for the above and we'll give you recommendations that are much more consistently good. 

jenmo214

Did you use them?

jenmo214

Our budget is $5000 for all 3.  Do you have any suggestions?

LaRositaMonita

I have not.  Just search reviews and you will read dozens of horror stories about them and every other "wedding factory" vendor.   All you need to know is that you do not necssarily get to meet with or choose your specific photographer/dj/etc. until the day of, and even if you do find a good one they reserve the right to change the person you are assigned to last-minute. Just too big a risk.  Some have had OK experiences, but the horror stories abound.  Like I said, just give us your budget...there are fantastic, talented, consummately professional vendors out here and the girls here have done a great job finding them and would be happy to make recommendations to you.

jenmo214

Thanks, I appreciate it...I wrote our budget above.  I will take all the help I can get!!

LaRositaMonita

You can easily find a great videographer or DJ for under 1k each.  I didn't have a videographer, but for the basics it seems that Matin's video cannot be beat.  (Page ooodsie or any of the other girls who used them and you can see their recaps.)  No Macarena DJ is a little on the pricier side (they ran me just under 1K when I booked them two summers ago) but were fantastic at our wedding.  Our gusets raved and raved about the music. I lso her wonderful things about DJs Available and certain Sahffer Sound DJs, who are a little less expensive. A 3k budget for a photosgrapher will get you pretty far around here!  Sarah Schulte and Rich Lavigne should have packages that would work for you, and I would recommend them.  I think that Marc Anthony and Sharyn Frenekl may be in that range, as well.  Make a post asking for a great photographer under 3k and the girls here can definitely help!  Prices have changed in the past two years, so I may not give the most accurate suggestions in terms of what certain photographers are charging now vs. when I was looking.

I am definitely not the be-all-end-all of recommendatins around here....just make a few posts tomorrow or the beginning of next week giving your budget and asking for specific recommendations (asking for all three at once can be overhwmeling), and you won't be disappoined!

I would also check out wedding wire.  There are also lots of great vendors that you can find there that just don't get talked about here.  The reviews there tend to be informative.

jenmo214

Do I need to join your blog before I post??

LaRositaMonita

It's not really a blog, per se.  The original creator just dubbed it that   It's actually maintained by another knottie (Amerbutt), who updates it occasionally with knotties' vendors.  Just make another post here asking for recommendations, or click on the "knottie vendor list" there to see who others have used.  You can then find and visit the websites of the many photographrs,DJs, and videographers there to find out their pricing and whether or not you like their work. 

ooodsie

Martins is great for video and will come in around $900.. which leaves you with $4100 for DJ and photog.   I personally can't help with DJ's because I had a band.. But I know you can get some fantastic photographers in the 3k range (like LaRosita said - Rich Lavigne, Sarah Schulte, Sharon Frenkle, etc), which leaves $1100 for a DJ which should be doable!  Definitely check the blog.

I know you had wanted opinions on the pros, so I'll give you a good story:

My friend was getting married - hired them at a bridal expo without looking into them first.. The photog set them up outside for their photos and snapped away.. When she got her proofs, she noticed a HUGE electrical transformer in the background of every outdoor portrait.  You'd think the photog would have noticed and moved them to another spot!?  Nope..  Her outdoor portraits with her bridal party & family were pretty much ruined.  

Bride_to_be_2011

Steve Williams with Per Sempre - for video
Sharyn Frenkel for Photog
DJs available for dj

good luck!

debnchris

We went to go talk to someone from BArnyard photography last night. The guy seemed nice, work looked good to me and they were very reasonable -- I dont have the paperwork with the pricing on it with me but I can post it later

PhillyGal34

denise mabilog is also an amazing photographer and will work with your budget...

my FSIL used the Pros and she had a good result... my future cousin in law had a horrible photographer and her dj was ick.  the pros are not even allowed at my venue because of horrible experiences they have had with them... they are the only vendor who is forbidden if that says anything!

happywithhim715

Stay away from The PROs. I have heard horror stories. I went to a few venues that actually say "Sorry we dont let the Pros on our grounds." They wont say "why" so that told me something. Also, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT give them your phone number and/or email address!!! They dont stop. At first I just told them we had found someone, that didnt help, so I finally had to tell them my wedding was cancelled! As bad as it sounds it was the only thing that stopped them!

We are using Martin's Accent Video... We have it for 9 1/2 hours and it comes to $970... If you stick to the package hours ( we have a big break inbetween our two events) it is $895. Many knotties rave about the company so I choose it!

DJ we are using B&B Light & Sound. Rick did my FSIL wedding and was great. They are out of Reading, PA but he travels.. we are paying $750 for 6:30 to 11:30.

Photograher we are using Joe Pulcinella, he is great! We are paying $4525, which was our splurge but I wanted to splurge on pictures. I looked into Cara Carlson of Crane Photography, Gary Nevitt, Erik Matey and Mike Landis. I have all of their info if you want it, just contact me With photographers, it will all depend on what you want. I wanted 2 photographers all day coverage engagement pictures, 10 x 10 flush mount album, digital rights and every picture taken! So I have the prices for that.

Hope this helps.. My email is lilvalval26 at yahoo dot com

kmsand84

For DJ I am using Steve and Company for about $1200 (not sure it this is over your budget or not). A friend of mine used him (Steve-but also has other great djs at his company) and he was great- I was in her wedding and everything was awesome. I am using him for my wedding too. They are in South Jersey.

Honeymooner2010

I used Twilight Entertainment and they were great!  www.twient.com