Best vendors??

dee2011

Hi Everyone!Sorry .. I haven't been able to participate in too many discussions yet.  Work has been extremely busy!! But, time is flying by, and we're flying into Michigan soon to meet with vendors.  Im a bit behind in my research, and wanted to reach out to this great board.  I know you must have answered this question a million times already.  SORRY!!  We are planning a wedding for approximately 220 guests August 2010.  We have not found a venue yet, but Im keeping my fingers crossed we will find our perfect venue in the first couple days were home (we have lots of scheduled appts).  However, since we're home for only 5 days, I want to take advantage of the time and meet with our key vendors.  So, I'm looking for great photographers and DJs (maybe Florist if you have time :-).  If you really liked your vendors - can you please post their name so I can reserach further.  As far as prices - I would think the photographer and DJ are both important to us.  We want a great photographer for reasonable $$ range, DJ to keep the party going, and the florists/decorations/cake is hopefully an area we can save some $$ in.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

moeoscar

You need to give some parameters when you talk about money, reasonable to you may not be for someone else.I loved my DJ and so did everyone else, Uncle Buck for 94.7. He can be booked through Mike Staff or his personal company.For a photographer, I would snatch up The Shooting Gallery if you can. She did my b-pics and they were amazing. I believe she is in the $3-4K price range for weddings. Amanda Williams always does great work too. They are probably already booked though, but worth calling.

jujubee455

I am using the Shooting Gallery (Dionne) and she is amazing and everyone on this board will agree. Ditto amanda williams who is probably already booked. I am using ProDJ Services... they are under $1000 and I believe start around $700. I don't know if you are doing video but we are using TwoPenny Productions, and their videos are awesome. I know their prices have gone up recently but they are definitely worth it. No suggestions on venue since we are having a backyard reception.

corinne2010

It would be helpful to have a price range in mind when suggesting vendors. I'm an August 2010 bride too! When is your date?

ryan&brooke

My fiance and I booked a great DJ and photographer for awesome prices. Mike Staff Productions is our DJ. They do an all inclusive 995 package which we thought was great because researching other DJs we found that they have multiple packages that would leave you missing something if you weren't willing to pay 500 more or so. They're extremely nice and you go in and get to pick your own DJ. My friends just got married with them and they were great.The photographer we just booked is Chris from Parker Photography. We aren't big on the super posey pictures, which is why we loved his photographs. Anyway, he has a great deal going with "economy sucks" packages. We booked him for 8 hours worth and it includes and album and negatives on DVD and all of that for only 2000. If you want to go even less they have a good deal for only 1400 too. www.parkerphotographic.comHopes this helps

ksunquest

we had a 'budget' photog. Kris from Kreativ Imaging. His highest package is $1500 and he rocks (two photogs, cd with rights, unlimited time/locations, etc). He did e-pics, b-pics as well!!

amyvan317

Definately meet with Dionne at the Shooting Gallery...she is just amazing. Pics in my married bio. It was the best money we spent for our wedding, hands down. We were also really happy with our DJ, John at JD Entertainment. We got so many compliments on our music all night. Florist - Blumz in Ferndale is awesome...very creative and will work with your budget.

tnspight

We're getting married Feb 2010.  HTHDJ - Mike Staff Productions $995 for six hrs; I haven't heard any negative reviewsVideo - 2 Penny $2400 w/you all day AMAZING, very artsyhttp://www.twopennyproductions.comPhoto - Marco Antonio AWESOME!!  Packages start at 3k; also a la cartehttp://www.marco-antonio.com/Cerem/Recep - The Inn at St John's has a hotel, chapel, banquet facility, golf course, gardens, and Catholic retreat center.  AWESOME only con is that you have to be Catholic to have your ceremony in the chapel, and they don't allow weddings anywhere else on the grounds (ballrooms, golf course, gardens)http://www.stjohnsgolfconference.com/

Nicole&Dan

We're getting married two months from Sunday but my favorite vendors so far are:*Our reception site, Addison Oaks. They are so flexible and working with us on everything.*Our Photog Emily Dowd. She's been a lifesaver with everything and a great communicator, and her awesome pics don't hurt either!*Our videographer, Krysten from Castle Video, she's so sweet and so great at what she does.*Bellisarios. They're doing our linens and flowers and worked within our budget.

leeshab1982

All of our vendors are very affordable.  My planning bio has all of their information and better descriptions.DJ - Big Foot DJs (Josh)  I think we are paying $770 for the entire night, including the ceremony.  We did get a discount for a Friday night wedding.Videographer - Tri-Foot Productions (John) $1295Photographer - MKP Photos (Mark) We are paying around $1000 for everything, including e-pics and rights to our photos.We are using Rock the Booth for our favors.  They charge $650 for the full night. 

scarywife1026

Photographers:Amanda Williams PhotographyEmily Dowd Photography (www.ejphotos.com)Parker Photographic, Chris ParkerToole Art PhotographyMod4 PhotographyDJ:www.enchantedeveningsdj.com Party Doctor Mike StaffFlorists:Nicole @ Westborn Market, BerkleyVivianos (I can't think of others that have been recommended) There are many more, but I can't think right now. I've met or seen the photogs products and they are all great. We used Enchanted Evenings DJ and they did an amazing job. Nicole @ Westborn is very busy, so if you want to meet w/ her, call ASAP. She was worth the wait and did an amazing job!

dee2011

Thank you so much for all your inputs!  We're in Michigan planning, and everyone has been so helpful.  THANKS!!!!!!!!!