Vegas - Booked my Photographer!

[joraye]

It feels official now. I've been buying little things locally, here and there, but nothing huge yet. This is my first REAL deal.

I finally found a photog that I feel totally comfortable with booking over the internet, and only seeing his website and 3-4 wedding collections on personal websites.

I went with Bently & Wilson in Las Vegas, I felt for the price ($800), the number of prints (200), unlimited shots, 8 hours (this should cover us from getting ready, the ceremony, a photo tour of spots in Vegas, and our after-party) and I own the prints and no reprint restrictions. He also emailed us back within 48 hours of us requesting the date, and was very quick to respond during yesterday's email convo.

I'll probably have to pay the Flamingo for bringing in a outside vendor, but from what I've read, I'll either have to pay like a $150 fee, or they will move the cost of the their photographer to a food/drink tab. (Let's hope for the latter!)

So I sent FH to work with the Date Reservation Sheet, and a check for 50%, once it's mailed and received, we're booked!

Only 362 days to go! :bbeek:

[gwenshack]

Nice. I didn't know they would charge to bring in other vendors! I probably will just go with the photog on site for mine, since I'm so lazy about planning stuff...but the concept of charging to bring in another photog is crazy!! You picked a great one though - just looked at the site. :)

[snowflakebride]

Yeah, they charge and it's dumb because they "included" photographer charges an arm and a leg.

Bently and Wilson is very popular and I've heard great things about them. Good choice!

[joraye]

I haven't officially "booked" at the Flamingo, I'm wondering if the other vendor stuff would go over better in person, or over the phone?

I'm going out in January, maybe I could just not mention my photog during my phone call, and casually bring it up during a face-to-face meeting with my WC? Because how is she to know when I booked the outside photog?

[gwenshack]

I think you should make it sound like this particular photog is very imporant to you - maybe they'd waive the fee if they think it'll be make or break for you?? I bet they'd rather book the event and waive a fee for a preexisting contract you made with someone else than have you walk out and not give them any business at all.

Worth a try at least.

I haven't booked my venue either. I'm going to go do that stuff in September - me and mom in Vegas - woo hoo...hehe.

[L.J.Aguirre]

thats a great deal! i wish i wouldve known! anyways i thought they don't allow outside photography? or at least thats what the monte carlo told us but great choice on the flamingo! their settings are so pretty!

[joraye]

I think you should make it sound like this particular photog is very imporant to you - maybe they'd waive the fee if they think it'll be make or break for you?? I bet they'd rather book the event and waive a fee for a preexisting contract you made with someone else than have you walk out and not give them any business at all.

I may try that. I hadn't thought about it that way.

There's a condition on the wedding packages site about a $150 charge if you bring in an outside vendor.....but I've been checking out the Vegas Knotties pages, and they all did it.....soooo, we'll see, I need to set aside some time one evening to call and book it!

L.J.Aguirre - I know, I was stoked to find that deal. I've been pricing e-pics in Oklahoma who want that much for just the photo session, no prints, no ownership, no reprints unless from the photog, just crazy stuff.

[arlene]

We got married at the Flamingo back in April. We just went with one the package they offered. We were completely happy with what we got and the photographer that came with the package did a great job. The staff at the Flamingo wedding chapel was great. They checked up on us and made sure that everything is what you wanted. Just everything they did their was perfect..
I do have to say though, that the Flamingo does charge you $150 for bringing in outside vendors, which I thought were crazy. You might want to check what restrictions they have though if you're thinking about getting married at the Flamingo.