Poll - What professional vendor more important to have if just one- pic's or music?

Re: Poll - What professional vendor more important to have if just one- pic's or music?

• StaceyC828

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I would go with pictures...you'll always have them and if you're playing cd's or a professional DJ is, the music will still sound the same.  If there's awkward gaps or pauses in between songs b/c its a non-professional dj, people will get over it/forget....however, you will keep your pictures forever, and my personal reason for splurging on a photographer for my own wedding is because it's the only thing from our wedding (besides eachother and our rings) that my fiance and i will get to keep

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• noodle_oo member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I agree, photographer.  FI and I are both into photography ourselves, so we know the difference between professional photos and friends/family snapshots.  So for us, we want really beautiful photos and are splurging on a pro album since we figure this is the one time in our life when we will do this and we want to have long lasting memories from it.
  
  However, this is very much a personal choice.  What is more important to you: that the party is lively, fun and professionally run or do you care about the quality of the photos?  Hard for me to believe, but some people don't care about photos and that might be you!
  
  I will say either way, be careful about having friends as vendors.  Unless they are experienced, you might be really let down by their work.  Just make sure your expectations are in line with reality.  I have a friend who used a friend for photography and she regrets it big time.  She dind't get a single photo she felt was worth framing and she was really sad.
  

  
  

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• Karen's MOH member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I agree with Stacy completely. I would pic a professional photog-- remember it's not only the work they do they day of, they will also be retouching and adjust contrast and all the other things I don't even understand. Plus, since your friend does have experience as a DJ, he will know what to do music wise. The only area it might not feel so "professional" could be the announcements and other times that the DJ kind of leads the party, but that's not a big deal.

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• amagwire

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  For me, photographer.  For fiance the band - not a DJ.  We both agree no DJ!  We were really lucky though, because we got the band and photographers we wanted.  I'm not sure what we would do if we had to choose one or the other!

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• foolforfood

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  How much do you have left in your budget?  I think you should hire pros for both.
  
  A professional DJ will make your guests happy.  A professional photographer will make you happy.  I think it's difficult to choose between the two.
  
  From what I've heard on these boards, you can hire a DJ for around $600 and get a basic photography package for less than $2000.  If you need to postpone your honeymoon to afford these services, you should do it. 

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• Wishin986

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I would go with Photography.  That's what we did basically.  We had a big budget for photography and a really small one for DJ and while we paid the price (the DJ was terrible) our friends more than made up for it and it was still a really fun night.  And the pictures are what you are going to have forever!

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• AlexaGrant

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I agree with photographer as well.  That's one of the items I am going to splurge on.  It is really important to me to have beautiful pictures that will last a lifetime.  Planning on going cheap on the dj.

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• Areden

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  Probably not worth stating but I agree with all of the above.  Photos are forever...

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• junelley

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  It would be nice to have pro for both, but if I had to pick one, it'd definitely be the photographer.  Photos are what you get to keep forever. 
  
  GL!
  

  

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• 2muchlove member

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I understand the feeling of having to choose. Photography is what I would choose. An iPod or someone with a good CD collection can really do well for the music. I would just say that if you really want people to have fun dancing then dont let an iPod play on auto. I have seen a full dance floor totally empty suddenly because the iPod playlist was set to play a slow song - even though the dance floor was just getting going. 

  
  

  But a photographer can give you memories forever and capture so much for you - your dress, your tears, the setting, your family and friends. I think those are all good reasons to spend the money on a good shooter.

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• jaguarjen

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  Between the two, I would pick the photographer, especially since I think with your more laid-back event your friend who's a club DJ without wedding experience might actually work better than a so-so wedding DJ who might be thrown by not having the traditional structure.  

  
  

  I would suggest that you still draw up a contract with the friend, even including in it a fee that seems fair but then with separate line items giving a "friend discount" and a "new to wedding discount" to end up with a sum of $0 (if he's doing this for you as a gift) or whatever small amount you're paying him.  My mom did this when she played violin at family friends' weddings even though she wasn't a pro -- it was super simple, just stating that she would be at X church on Y date and would play Z music, for $50 less a $50 friend discount - it was more to give the bride peace of mind that she wouldn't flake but I think also helped my mom feel like she wasn't being taken for granted, and that they understood the time she was putting into this.

  
  

  Another thing to consider if your budget is really tight would be having a pro photographer for only part of the event.  My sister had a backyard wedding without any dances, cake cutting, etc. and they hired a pro to come for just two hours for the ceremony, posed formals, and a group shot.  Might be hard to find, though, esp. if it's peak season and the photographers have plenty of all-day bookings. 

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• snoangel79

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I'm spending on pics!! It is really important to me to have good pics! The dj is good too but he seemed reasonable price-wise vs my photographer.

  Twins born at 34w2d, Allison, 3lb,4oz-Ethan, 4lb7oz, both 16 1/2 inches. Out of Difficulties Grow Miracles

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• BluValkyrie

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I'm going against the grain! 
  
  Music for me.  Pictures really aren't that big of a deal for me, I want them, but considering our photgrapher is restricted to where they can be during the ceremony, it's not a huge thing.  I'm also not going to be looking at them everyday.  I'll most likely look at them after I get them, then shove them aside till who knows when.
  
  A DJ is imporant because during the reception, you NEED someone to keep the energy going.  Assigning a guest to the job is just down right wrong since they're invited.  An iPod I think is a poor idea because it will just plays the songs, a DJ knows when to play the upbeat fast songs or the slower more mellow songs, an iPod doesn't, and having someone man it is the same as I mentioned before.

  

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• jmp830

  

  March 2010 edited December 2011

  I have to say music too. That said, it is a tough decision and this is just my opinion but ... if music is going to impact your night to the point you may not enjoy yourself if it is not great than how are you going to look at the photos and think what an amazing time you had.
  
  BUT- it is all relative as to what is important to you. We spent a large chunk of our budget on music because it is huge to us.
  
  If you choose pictures make sure your friend is really well-prepared to do the music and I think it will be great. It is all about what is important to your and your fiance. Good luck and have fun!
  

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