Post # 1
Member
87 posts
Worker bee
My wedding is in March and I still have no videographer or photographer. It’s been a depressing search as I can’t find what I’m looking for. Our budget is $3000 for each and most seem so put off by that amount and are not willing to customize their packages to match our budget. Just when I thought I found a videographer that I like (not even love) and is around our budget, I found out that the cheapest package of $3500 only includes a 5 minute highlight film. That is ridiculous to me. Who pays that much for a 5 minute video?
Please help dear bees, I am desperate but I also won’t settle and Im looking for cinamotgraphy and photojournalistic styles. Our wedding will be in north NJ.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Post # 3
Member
49 posts
Newbee
@PurpleGirl2: $3,000 for both video and photos?
I had an absolutely amazing photographer who gave me pretty much unlimited photos, digital only, and her time for 8 hours, for $3,500.
Are you set on having video? I didn’t get it and don’t really miss it… but I know it’s definitely an awesome way to document and can be great to pass down to kids.
Don’t get stressed over it – March is coming up but you still have time. My original photog cancelled on me at the last minute so I booked our miracle worker about six weeks before the big day. It was the best thing that ever happened to me!
Post # 4
Member
171 posts
Blushing bee
@PurpleGirl2: Wow, surprised you haven’t found anyone with that budget.
We are using Alex Kaplan for our central NJ wedding, it’s a ~$3500 package that includes:
2 photographers for 10 hrs
1 videographer for 8hrs with full DVD of video footage
his WW: https://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/alex-kaplan-photo-video-photo-booth-specialists-www-twoweddingphotographers-com/8bf0904f416822aa.html
Post # 5
Member
87 posts
Worker bee
@LuckiestGirlEvur: no $3000 for each. I thought that was a pretty good budget but I guess not. When we first started budgeting my fiancé thought we can find a great videographer for $1500 lol. I fought to increase the budget but still no luck with finding one. :/
Yes I am really set on having video. My sister didnt and it was her biggest regret. Not to mention I’m obsessed with watching other people’s videos.
Post # 6
Member
87 posts
Worker bee
@Katepants: thank you so much for the recommendation! I will check them out.
Post # 7
Member
387 posts
Helper bee
Do you have a friend who can video tape the ceremony? iMovie is amazing! FYI…
And then hen that way you have $6000 for a completely awesome photographer… Photos you can put up in your house and enjoy every moment of every day…. How often will you watch your wedding after the first year?
Post # 8
Member
87 posts
Worker bee
@Makemeamrs: I’m very A type personality so I can’t see myself having a friend filming our video. I would rather put my trust into professional hands. And I have a budget for video it’s not like I can’t afford it, I just can’t seem to find one so far and hoping for some recommendations.
Post # 9
Member
998 posts
Busy bee
I dont have any reccomendations, but I wanted to chime in and say def do not have a friend film the ceremony for you. Ours was a disaster, and I can never get that day back. It works for some people, but it is my only real wedding regret. Good luck and I’m sure you will be able to find someone.
Post # 10
Member
85 posts
Worker bee
I think that is a good budget actually. When I first reached out to potential photogs and videographers one of the first things we discussed was budget. The people I ended up going with worked with me and the budget I had. I think that if they are in it not just for the money, but for the joy of their work, they would be willing to work with you… but maybe that is just me. My photogs espeically were upfront with how low they’d be willing to go, but they were also understanding of how high I was willing to. I’d keep looking around for people who are at least willing to talk to you about budget.
Post # 12
Member
270 posts
Helper bee
@MissyDoll: Full disclosure, we didn’t go with any of these vendors, but I did meet with all of them because I liked their work. They’re all NYC/Brooklyn based, I don’t think it should be a problem to get them out to northern NJ.
Check out Mint Wedding Films for cinematography, they have a pretty inclusive package for $2700. For photography, see Andrea Fischman, Stylish & Hip weddings (super affordable), and Charlie-Juliet (her basic package is $3500, but she is amazing and super sweet).
I got a lot of discounts for paying in cash, so if you can swing it, definitely ask if they can lower the price for that. Good luck!
Post # 13
Member
87 posts
Worker bee
Thank you all you wonderful ladies for your recommendations! Please keep them coming! I love the bee!
Post # 14
Member
289 posts
Helper bee
@PurpleGirl2: Our photographer search made me insane. Our top 2 were booked when we inquired and this was 14 months in advance! Our third choice didn’t respond to our email to book even after we had an hour meeting with them the night before. Our 4th choice was going through an emotional time and didn’t know if she would commit to weddings the following year. Our 5th choice was booked. I was exhausted! But we didn’t give up and eventually found one who lives 2 hours away.
Our budget was $3000 for our photographer, and ended up paying $3600 for ours (including travel) She shoots alone, and has a ton of experience, is highly recommended… so we splurged, even though we wanted 2 photographers to begin with.
We wanted a videographer too, but it doesn’t fit in our budget, so no videographer for us.
Keep searching. You’ll get someone great!
Post # 15
Member
2601 posts
Sugar bee
Personally…if I had your budget, I’d go for photographs. I’d skip the videographer and get a two GoPros and give them to my most artistic friends 😀
Post # 16
Member
1006 posts
Bumble bee
That is a VERY reasonable budget. I don’t see any reason vendors couldn’t work with that. I am using Jorg Windau of Windau Photography. He has a photojournalistic style and his photos are amazing. He was also willing to work with me. Good luck!
