This photography stuff is mind boggling, and insanely expensive. I'd like the advice of those who have used any of these vendors. FM me if necessary
So I have a question first off... if you wanted to stay within a budget (lets say no more than $4k - although I really wanted to be more around 2 or 3k), would you opt for a smaller album (say only 24 pictures) so as to have the edited video of your day? FH and I definitely want some kind of video of our day.
Dollar for dollar, all photographer's seem very similar... A selling point of pro-line is that ALL their packages include a high resolution CD of the photos (negatives) - Their smaller packages include a good number of photos for the albums. I believe Patken eventually releases the disk to you, but I'm not sure it's high resolution (I would think so) - but I think it takes longer, Patken's smaller packages are like only 24 pictures. Patken's albums were really nice, but when I called Pro-line they said they can do the same things. Patken's studio for e-pics offers a lot more diversity.
I will glance at the brides review boards to see what other's have said about wedding's past. I have to honestly say that all the other wedding planning stuff I didn't struggle with as much as I am with photography. It's way too expensive, you want no regrets and yet, it is only a day and to go into debt for a photographer I don't feel is worth it, although there are no truly reasonable one's out there, except one's that usually people were not happy with. A decent one costs money.
hayleyandsteve
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
Neither!
I think that you should keep the video, and perhaps make your own album. A lot of brides on here have done FANTASTIC jobs that look professional!
I chose option 2 - basic package to have both vendors. The videographer will grab footage you won't remember happening and you will be so happy to relive your wedding day. And if you save money at the end of the wedding, you can always upgrade your photographer some more towards the end.
emcheung
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
I understand how difficult it is to stay within your budget. However, out of all the wedding vendors and services, I think photography and videography is pretty important. Come on, what else are you going to look at in the future to relive your wedding day!
You may want to look into vendors recommended by your reception hall. They may offer discounts if booking with them. For example, I am getting married at jericho terrace. I booked with Patken, after looking at others such as Franklin Square, ********, Artisan... Patken gave me a discount for photo and video. Ultimately, we're spending $4500 for photo and video including tax. That was the cheapest we were offered.
N.Y.bride
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
Posted by hayleyandsteve
Neither!
I think that you should keep the video, and perhaps make your own album. A lot of brides on here have done FANTASTIC jobs that look professional!
I also made my own album which is posted and I still had video and I spent under 4.
Mrs.Ptobe
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
Wow some of the homemade albums are remarkable and I wish I had that talent and patience. Unfortunately, that's not something I'm considering at this time. $4100 is about what I'd get for pics and video from the places I've seen, however, with small albums (like 24 pics in the bridal album and only 12 in the parent albums or the folio - which I really like).
So it sounds like about $4 g's is what it's about... nothing can be done about it. Oh well, was worth asking. I can't even crop a pic of my x-mas tree with my cats, nontheless make an album into anything decent and to be honest, time is not on my side, I work 2 jobs and am looking to change one of them, so if I had to rely on myself to make an album, my kids will be getting married by then. Great idea though to the artistically inclined. There were a few things I thought I was going to do myself, but it just won't get done... like right now I should be sleeping to get up at 5am for one of the jobs.
Flowers are now the new stressor b/c I got a letter from my hall about needing the florist to be on site before and during the chapel and that they have to move the items. God only knows how much thats going to cost. If I don't use one of their vendors I have to sign a separate agreement for the flowers.
N.Y.bride
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
Posted by Mrs.Ptobe
Wow some of the homemade albums are remarkable and I wish I had that talent and patience. Unfortunately, that's not something I'm considering at this time. $4100 is about what I'd get for pics and video from the places I've seen, however, with small albums (like 24 pics in the bridal album and only 12 in the parent albums or the folio - which I really like).
So it sounds like about $4 g's is what it's about... nothing can be done about it. Oh well, was worth asking. I can't even crop a pic of my x-mas tree with my cats, nontheless make an album into anything decent and to be honest, time is not on my side, I work 2 jobs and am looking to change one of them, so if I had to rely on myself to make an album, my kids will be getting married by then. Great idea though to the artistically inclined. There were a few things I thought I was going to do myself, but it just won't get done... like right now I should be sleeping to get up at 5am for one of the jobs.
Flowers are now the new stressor b/c I got a letter from my hall about needing the florist to be on site before and during the chapel and that they have to move the items. God only knows how much thats going to cost. If I don't use one of their vendors I have to sign a separate agreement for the flowers.
I did my album on shutterfly for under $100 in a few hours. You push a button and the red eye is gone. To crop you push vertical or horizontal and drag it.. Its really nothing. Soooooooo easy!
We wanted to check them out anyway, just to see for ourselves.
We went for one appt, and liked the guy (Big John), but wanted to see a sample of a particular videographer that we liked(Vinny or Tony...I forget!), so we scheduled a 2nd appt where they would have a sample of this guys work then we would book both photo & video that night.
We get there....the place is locked - nobody's there....we call, and they said that Big John is right around the corner.
40 minutes later he gets there, and has no apology, no sample of the guys work, and didn't even know if he was available.
So we asked him to please check this guys schedule - he doesn't even have his phone #!!!!
Starts calling around all over the place to find the guys number.....needless to say, we didn't use them.....but thought it might help narrow down your choices
Wintersbride
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
There are many mixed reviews about many vendors on this site. I used ADA and had a wonderful experience. I had a horrible experience with another vendor on this site that comes highly recommended (at least to brides who have not actually used them yet). Sorry you had a bad experience though.
tropicalbride07
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
WE love our photographer and they put our photos on a DVD with music..so it's almost like a video. A family member recored the ceremony and reception. While it's not professional and edited, we can relive the day life and did spend a dime! We could not be happier with our choice!
ZeppsGirl
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
Have you considered Velvet Studios?
I think their website is
www.thevelvetstudio.com
you have FM
misshepp
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
I have seen both PRO- LINE AND ADA. I would not forgo a video, I think it is reat to watch that moment. I also think that the Video's help you see things you might miss.
I am preferential to ADA b/c they are my photographers and my e-pics came out beautifully. I liked Pro-Line but when I posted that on here I got a lot of negative responses from former brides.
Mrs.Ptobe
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
I'll get in touch with Velvet and 12th night this week. I think 12th night may be booked for my date though... can't hurt to inquire.
After a while all the pics look the same. I like the idea of pics on a dvd. I totally agree that a video has importanct - to me even moreso than the pics. I'm still not dismissing having a guest videotape it for me, my dad has a video camera... my former boss volunteered (or maybe I volunteered him).
It's really really hard to choose this vendor... there has to be a way to make it easier. You hear even on this site, I love ADA, I hate ADA, I love Proline, I hate Proline. All I can tell you is that ADA did my sister's wedding and she had no problems and Proline did my other BM's and she had no problems... hence why I even looked at those 2.
Now interestingly if it werent for this site I would never heard of Patken, 12th night, Velvet, etc b/c I don't know anyone that used any of them (that I'm aware of anyway). It's hard when you hear good experiences about vendors from friends and family then go on line and other people suggest otherwise.
cuteauburnininny
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
call vivid video and photograpghy kathy and john are great people. the work with yiur budget and they do bith pics and video. there a liwedding vendor.
Mrs.Ptobe
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Re: Newlyweds: Patken, Pro-Line and ADA
I'm really leaning toward Patken (although seeing their website depresses me b/c my album won't look as nice as the one's they show - mine only will have 12 pics), I just want to double check with them about getting the negatives on a high resolution CD like Proline does. I may have a smaller album, but I can add to it and have it redone later as long as I have those negatives.
Please fm me if you have had or know of any bad Patken experiences. I really don't want to make a mistake here and be sorry a year from now when my negatives disappear and I have a 24 picture album. I just love Patken's work, they are very creative and I like some of the 'intimate' photographs they do... I thought that was cool... I mean totally tasteful (nothing naked or raunchy, but just really nice... I can't remember if it's one or 2 photographers though - or do you pay extra for 2? I'm doing the basic video too - so there's the 'photojournalism'. FH and I both agreed if we had to choose between photojournalism and a video, video wins out.
