DJ/Photographer/Video Package

jdandlr

Hello: I am getting married next year 2013 on a low budget wedding for 200 guests.  I have attended a few wedding expos and have spoken with a couple of companies (The Pro's and Classic Photographers) that sell package deals for really low or ideal prices.  They sell all 3 (DJ, Videographer, and Photography) in a package deal.  I wanted to know if anyone has had great or successful experiences with them as the saying "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.  Also, I cannot find many reviews for Classic Photographers (only 1) and for the Pro's (based in Pennsylvania) all of the reviews that I read about this company were from people out of state.
I am overwhelmed at all the vendors there are out there and vast price differences.  For example we have found DJ's that charge $1200 while there are others who charge $2500 for the exact same type of service.  My head is spinning!
I am grateful for these wedding websites and forums!  Thanks in advance for any and all help!!
Laura R.

JBs_Bride

What is your budget for photo and DJ? In general, the independent vendors get more love on TK boards than the big guys (The Pros, Bella, Classic, etc.)

If you share your budget numbers with the girls here, they will be able to give you tons of good suggestions.   GL!

jdandlr

Thanks for the advice.  I guess my budget is as follows:
DJ: $1200
Photog: $1500-$2k tops
Video: $1100
Photobooth: $1000 *3-4 hrs only

Need all for ceremony, cocktail hour, reception (total 5pm-11pm or 12am)
Thanks!!

carolbridebabe

as far as DJs go we used beat train production and they were right around your price range, my cousin used move it music and they were amazing! the owner is named james i believe

for photographer i always recommend ours. we used john loconte from www.johnlophoto.com and he is 100 percent amazing !!! 

video we used avwaves.com also amazing!

the pros get horrid reviews on TK. i would steer clear!

hth gl

CapeMJA84

Your budget should not limit you to an "All-in-one" approach.  The companies that offer everything often times seem to hire beginers so they can pay less and keep a profit.  With the budget you presented above you can afford true professionals.

First, go with strong referrals from your family, friends and most importantly your venue and other vendors.  Your venue should be able to offer a list of people they trust.  That should narrow it down significantly from the hundreds or even thousands of vendors you'll find listed online and in these forums.  

We're using Groove Entertainment for DJ, www.berryphotos.com for photography and still on the fence about video.  No photobooth, but from what I understand there's a few good companies and a lot of hacks with that.

Molly&Andy

You can definitely get independent vendors with those budgets.
We're using Bell-Aire Music for our DJ, which is under $1000.
For your photographer, you'll have to figure out what "extras (album, prints, etc.) you want in addition to the actual photography piece.  Some, but not all, are including a CD of all the photos so you can print your own.  We are going with Olivia Gird (out of RI) for our photos. We just over $2000 with 6 hours, CD, a magaizne style book with all photos, parents gifts, and engagement session.
We aren't doing video or photobooth.
Good Luck!

moonbee73

Try Portrait New England for Photos, definietly in your budget.

I second AV WAves. And they are also in your budget

Get some recommendations on djs and then call/e-mail some and you can visti with them. You can def. get all of this in your budget

ll981248

I agree that you should be able to get separate vendors with your budget.  It's better to pick and choose them than to get a package deal.

I highly recommend our photographer.  She's well within your budget, her work is great, and she provides you all the photos on a disk.  Very flexible and easy to work with, too.

http://www.imcreativephotography.com

CherandAl

I second Portrait New England.
Third, for AV Waves.
We're using a friend for a DJ so I can't help you there.
Fame Photobooth has very reasonable prices- I would check him out.

Good luck!

jdandlr

Thanks ladies for all of your advice!  I am truly appreciative for all of this assistance.  As someone who is a worry wart and does not like planning stuff I feel overwhelmed.  I am so happy that I found this site and all of the helpful folks on here.  I am truly happy to be getting married, look forward to the day and this will help make things a lot easier.
I'm gonna get cracking now on contacting some of the vendors recommended.
A million thanks!!

love2nap

I agree with the seperate approach. At first I was so bummed when I heard what price I could have gotten for a 3-1 package, but you really don't know what you'll get and you'll be able to personalize your vendors. You definitely have a good budget to get what you need and deserve.
For Photography we used 71 West based out of Woburn, and paid around $1500 from a discount we received from a bridal show.
For DJ, I had a college friend that was a professional dj and gave me a generous discount of $800 but you can definitely get a great DJ with your price
Videographer-- We used Rebecca Curtis from NH (will travel to MA) and we paid $350 I think for the most basic, and unedited version.
Photobooth-- Keep an eye out for groupons and daily deal sites, sometimes they will offer photobooth rentals at huge discounts! You can also DIY this or skip it.

MrsCraigtoBe09

The Pros get awful reviews!

DJ - Dave Lynch

Photo - Amanda Perkins

Video - Rebecca Curtis

jdandlr

AWESOME!!  Cannot thank all of you enough!!

Mikd00

id go with Makin' Entertainment (DJ Mike D) or Curtis Knight Entertainment (Curtis & Anna) I have used both in the past and they both have done an amazing job.