vendor costs

Tink8685

Hi ladies!

What do people usually pay for DJs, florists, and photographers/videographers? I am just starting the wedding planning process and I am trying to get an idea as to how much these vendors typically cost so I can start to plan my budget. Any feedback would be helpful! 

DirtyWater

I haven't completely booked them all but here is an idea of the quotes I've been receiving.

DJ- Booked at 2,800 for 6 hours *tax, gratuity & travel included*

Photographer- I planned on budgeting 1,500 but I've been getting $1,500-6,000 quotes and most is just time and a DVD no albums, which makes me sad.

Videographer- $1,700 they have us penciled in.  I cant wait to book them.  I've  gotten quotes for $900-$4000.

Florist- I'm trying to book one that has a huge package for around $2,000

october010bride

DJs: 1k for 5 hours

Ceremony musicians: 495 for an hour

Florists: Our package from our venue had basic centerpieces included but we went beyond that. With ceremony flowers (chuppah and aisle decor) we spent around 1700.

For photog we used a friend who is a retired wedding photog but around here you can spent anywhere from 1500 to 5k, depending on your budget, style and package.

We had a friend film our ceremony and just skipped a videographer

We also spent $695 on a limo

noodle_oo

The ranges for these vendors can vary a LOT depending on what you want.  Especially things like flowers and photographer.  But here's some ideas:

DJ:  We spent $900 for 4 hrs I think.

Flowers:  We spent about $1200 I think for 4 bouquets (mine +3 BM), 10 centerpieces, ceremony decor, bouts, mothers flowers, cocktail table bud vases... maybe a few more items, I forget.  But again, this will totally depend on how many of each thing you need and what types of flowers you get.

Photographer:  In Boston you can spend anywhere from $1500 to over $6K.  Depends on hours, whether you want dig negatives, how many albums, etc.  We spent $4K for a very good package.

Videographer:  usually I see this coming in around $1500 to $2K.

Good luck!

bmoruzzi

Definitely varies depending on what you're looking for.  Our DJ is $800 for 5 hours.  Photographer is $2200 for five hours and that basically only includes a cd with the photos on it.  Flowers will be about $900 for 8 centerpieces, my bouquet, MOH bouquet, 2 bouts and 2 mom's corsages.  We're not doing a videographer.

snoangel79

$1,700 for dj, $2,500 videographer, $5,000 photographer, cake $650.00, grooms cake $450.00, flowers- $3,500, invitation letterpress- $600.

The best money I spent and I mean the best money I spent was the videographer! Our video is gorgeous! Considering the day went by in a blur I am so happy to have that record of the day way more than the photos!

Tink8685

Thanks ladies! I went to the Baystate Bridal Expo in Boston today and got a ton of great info! It was a little overwhelming...but so helpful!

snoangel79--who did you use for video?

RoyalOrient

I did my vendor research in both MA, R.I and CT. I found that Boston base and Newport base vendors tend to be on the more expensive end especially if it was a florist or photographer with a studio, which is understandable b/c of high overhead costs.

I didn't book a d/f but a band for $1500 (heavy discount b/c of family friend)
Florist - $1100 (including  6 low and 6 high centerpieces, 1 bridal bouquet, 2 corsages for my BM and 9 bouts for the groom and family members. 2 small ceremony pieces and 2 flower garlands plus fresh rose petals for ceremony. Flowers included orchids, peonies, roses, and parrot/french tulips. I used Whole Foods for my centerpieces and a local florist for the personal flowers to save money.
Photographer - $3250 for two professional photographer with complete coverage (unlimited hours) high res. pictures on disc with post processing plus e-session. and thank you cards.
No Cake but a Dessert Buffer - cupcakes, cake pops, tarts, and other pasty sweets for $400
Invitations - DIY $275 for 115 invites (complete invite suite) We had someone on etsy create a custom design pdf but we bought the paper supplies and assemble the invites ourselves. 
Videographer - not yet book but we have a $2500 budget.

jkepros

Hmmm....let's see what I can remember:

1. Photographer: $1800-1900 for 8 hrs shooting, CD with all hi-res images (~1000) & ~200 images edited
2. Photographer for photo booth/wall: I think we paid her ~$200 for the night
3. 2 Caricaturists: I think it was $200-300 for the night
4. Acoustic Guitarist for ceremony & cocktail hour: I think ~$100/hr
5. Bridal attire (including dress, veil, shoes, alterations, etc): ~$3k
6. Groom's attire (designer suit, shoes, designer tie, socks, alterations): ~2,500
7. Flowers (bridal bouquet, 5 bouts, 6 corsages, 1 large bouquet for bar/reception, pew cones): ~$900
8. Church: $2500
9. Reception: ~$13k inclusive for all food, dessert, bar, taxes (15-course menu)
10. Trolleys: ~$400-500 each?
11. Bus for guests to/from wedding: ~$800
12. Hair: $125 for bride, $75 for others
13. Make-up: $150 for bride, $75 for others
14. Paper (invitations, thank yous, custom stamps, menus, programs, escort cards, etc--I made everything myself): ~$350-500
15. Cake: didn't have one
16. DJ/band: didn't have one
17. Videographer: didn't have one
18. Favors (didn't have traditional favors, but did flip-flops, umbrellas--it rained, fans, juice/water bottles at the church, little bells to ring as we walked down the aisle, custom hankerchiefs, plastic wishbones at reception, goodie bags for the 2 children <10 yrs at reception): ~$300?
19. Centerpieces: non-floral (lanterns) ~$200?
20. Guestbook: retro/vintage typewriter $20 + ~$15 in paper, ink, instructions, etc
21. Card Box: ~$220 (we bought a 1960s Schwinn Bicycle Built for Two off craislist & a bike basket to use as the card box)
22. Photobooth wall: we (my husband and I) designed & built our photobooth wall--the hit of the party!    It cost around $300 to make, I think.
23. DOC: ~$500-600, I think (best money we spent!)
24. "Pre-wedding party" (in lieu of "rehearsal dinner): ~$300-500? in food/booze (we had a taco bar open house party at our apartment the night before the wedding)

snoangel79

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_vendor-costs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:00eb25d0-3af6-4272-beed-d6518b75f2fdPost:2dfb7fce-75db-42dc-965d-0301166a78f5">Re: vendor costs</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks ladies! I went to the Baystate Bridal Expo in Boston today and got a ton of great info! It was a little overwhelming...but so helpful! snoangel79--who did you use for video?
Posted by Tink8685[/QUOTE]

We used VideoDesign Films. Lynne was amazing to work with and we hired her almost last minute as I decided I wanted a video memory of the day! Here is a link to some of the footage she did for our wedding (these are just pieces as in the video it's put together more and it's longer) <: She's really good.
<a href="http://videodesignfilms.blogspot.com/2010/12/laura-jeff-harrington-farm-princeton-ma.html">http://videodesignfilms.blogspot.com/2010/12/laura-jeff-harrington-farm-princeton-ma.html</a>

lefleurvogue

Hello!

If you're still looking for florist, I am picking a few weddings to sell flower arrangements at cost because I need pictures for our website. 

If you are interested in a quote please email me:  lefleurvogue@gmail.com

You can see some of our work here:
http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/le-fleur-vogue-boston/b12bea87eb9f5c30.html

Warm regards,

Maja