Posts by Zachary Booth3

quietbear13 said:Hi... just figured I'd jump in here. I've been lurking on this forum forever, but I finally got around to registering!!! My day has been 🙂. You guys have been such a huge help, so I decided to write out my whole experience from start to finish for everyone
. I'm originally from Memphis, and I really wanted to have my wedding there. So, that's exactly what happened...
The Church of Saint Philip and Jacob, wow!
Vukota Hall in Memphis—hm... well, the venue was lovely, prices were reasonable, they had several menu options to choose from, and all in all, it was fine !!! I don't have any complaints, but I won't go overboard with the praise either🙂
The band—Bolero... best wishes to them!!! The guys did an incredible job. It was so much fun, and they played all the songs we requested, which we had agreed upon beforehand. Everything went exactly how I asked... there were no breaks, except for dinner. They kept playing until 6 AM!!!
Makeup—Gallah Cosmetics in Memphis. Eva did my makeup, and honestly, I'm speechless... nothing but praise, praise, and more praise. Simply perfect !!! 😍
I recommend her to anyone and guarantee you won't be disappointed. Just make sure to ask for EVA !!!
Hair—Ivana vu Hair Salon. Well... okay, the style wasn't anything overly complicated or demanding, so I don't have much to say about it. Everything went smoothly!!!
Wedding dress—Stefanie Vk
Home decor—Karaka OS. Short and sweet: PERFECT !!!!!!!!!!
And the flowers—My Flowers 🙂 is an Exclusive !!! wedding decoration studio. The girls are new, based in Memphis. One of them used to work for someone in a different city, I can't remember exactly... anyway... everyone, absolutely everyone, was enchanted by what they created. They pay so much attention to detail—candles, crystals, glitter... their floral arrangements are very lush (in terms of volume) and they are affordable! I truly visited every single vendor out there, and my Maid of Honor recommended them to me... THANK YOU, MAID OF HONOR!!! Ultimately, the flowers were the absolute highlight of everything!!!😍
I also got my invitations, thank-you cards, and boutonnieres from them. As for the invitations $2.00, I couldn't find that price anywhere else... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM !!!🙏
Oh, right... they also gave me a faux bouquet as a gift, which was identical to my bridal bouquet. I tossed the fake one, while mine stayed with me, along with custom license plates featuring our names—all for free.
Finally, I have to mention the photographer... the one and only STUDIO 69... words truly fail me here, because words can't describe it!!!🙂 The price is a bit higher, but it is absolutely justified
Anyway, I've rambled quite a bit... that would be the short version🙂 If anyone needs anything, feel free to ask, I'm happy to help!!!👍

Where is the band from?

Daniel King4 said:You're right, everyone wants something different, but you really have to weigh the price against what you're actually getting
not even mentioning how much stuff you get from each guy or whether they're just ripping you off...
You need to see way more of their portfolios before you can judge who's actually good, which is exactly what me and my crew have been doing over the last two years...
I'll stand by the fact that Studio 69 costs $4667 though we give our friends a deal, whereas if you drop 9k on someone like Smith, you basically get nothing but a headache and a lot of regret, and then out of pure disappointment, people start claiming he's great even though they haven't seen any of his actual work...

You clearly don't have the full story on these prices.

Daniel King4 said:Look, honey, if you could actually read, you'd see my opinion is right there above...
Plus, I spent two years working in this industry, so I actually know how things work on the inside...

Even though I wasn't the one being addressed, I have to say something.👎
This is appalling.
You don't know how to make an actual argument without resorting to insults.

And yeah, define "professional" and "top-tier" for me. I’d love to see what your standards actually look like.

casualbison8 Asks:
I’ve been in this business for 11 years, so I don't need to sit here and ask what a photo printer costs. Are you seriously telling me you can shoot weddings with a $1,000 camera, run them through a $40,000 printer, and walk away with "world-class" photos? Yeah, you won't. Especially if you don't have the talent or the eye to back it up.
Honestly, I think getting dragged into this debate and sinking to this level is just a complete waste of time.

unknown

I agree. Does anyone honestly believe that just having a camera—and the machine used to process the shots, obviously—is enough to make someone's work "top-tier"? That’s a term I see thrown around here way too often. 🤷

Daniel King4 said:I think the photography service works great and is super professional, so maybe look at what you're paying musicians... you give them 1500 bucks and they play for five hours and head home, while photographers have five more days of work and gear worth at least 50k... people really shouldn't talk about stuff they don't understand, especially when you see how much worse people work in Washington, D.C. while charging $3333 basic rates for standard shots. If I were the photographer, I wouldn't give you anything for $1200 pennies, because honestly, it's not easy money and you're stuck with the consequences for life... peace

Okay, we get it.🙄 Photo Zoom and Photo Ivan are amazing, we get it—why keep repeating yourself?🤷

Anyway, why on earth are you comparing a band's price to a photo studio's?😕

They are two completely different things with different cost structures, just like a wedding dress, the cake, the rings, and everything else. There are reasons why things cost what they cost.
Just like you can find wedding bands from $333 all the way up to several thousand dollars, it’s the same with everything else. Everyone buys according to their budget, but I agree: you get what you pay for.

Daniel King4 said:If you ask me, I'd say you should just go for it... Check out John's photography site... http://www.smartphotography.com You should honestly just head to his site and check him out... he’s not exactly a big name yet, but his work is killer. His videos are solid and the photos are top-tier—probably the best you'll find around Indianapolis, they just have this different vibe to them, plus he doesn't charge an arm and a leg. I actually caught one of his weddings recently where he was doing those drone shots, flying the camera through cranes and stuff, and the thank-you clips were just so high-quality and unique... My cousin told me she was beyond happy with everything, said the whole experience was pretty seamless... $2500 I mean, she shouldn't feel bad about it, he absolutely crushed it even though the weather was total garbage...

I heard Krizmanić tends to jack up the price way higher than what you actually agreed on... plus, from what I've seen, their photography is pretty amateurish. It’s not terrible, but for the kind of money they're asking, you could find someone way better. Half the stuff doesn't even get filmed, and while the photos are okay, they have this tacky, old-school vibe, and the video is just straight-up bad—way too much for those prices... As for Studio 69, they're actually solid, but the guests aren't really there for them; it's more like the couple tries too hard to make everything revolve around the photographer and videographer, so the guests don't really feel connected to their work... I don't know the others, but if they were any good, I definitely would've known... cheers.

I attended two weddings where Studio 69 filmed, and my takeaway was that they are everywhere without being intrusive. They managed to catch every single detail. From what I can tell, they're young and quick, which is why they capture everything so well. What I liked most is that they stay until the end—they aren't going to pack up at 2:00 or 3:00 AM; they stick around as long as the party lasts, and usually, the real fun doesn't even start until 2:00. It's not the most critical factor, but it's one of the things I appreciate about them.
Look, we clearly have different opinions, and that's fine. We don't all have the same taste or like the same things.😉 Personally, I think what they do is more than excellent.👍

granitemoose7 said:Look, it’s our right to choose whoever we want, but I know these people are top-tier professionals. At that price point, they aren't playing around. Go check out the rates in Indianapolis or talk to my colleague in the Midwest—John's studio there does incredible work, too, but he charges three thousand dollars more... Cheers.

What does "top-tier" even mean? And what do you mean by "criminal" (as in criminally bad)?
Everyone has different tastes and different standards. Just because something is "top-tier" to you doesn't mean it's the same for me or anyone else.

As for the price, that’s also subjective. What one person thinks is expensive, another might see as a steal. Quality justifies the cost. Some people won't cut corners on the wedding dress, some on the band, some on the honeymoon, and others on photo and video. In most cases, a low price just means lower quality.

granitemoose7 said:THEY WERE AMAZING FOR ME. THEY DID MY SHOOTS LAST YEAR AND THE PICTURES HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER.
I saw the video and it’s killer. They’re cheap because prices in Indianapolis are just like that, but the quality is a solid 10. You probably acted uninterested, which is why they were rude to you, but get this: they are total pros. Honestly, it was likely your mistake... maybe you were nickel-and-diming them or acting like a window shopper, checking every photographer's price list just to find the cheapest one. When you act like that, they don't treat you like a real Customer. Peace.

First off, stop yelling. Turn off the caps lock.😉 And maybe use a comma or a period; it's hard to read like this.

How would you even know how they worked, how they behaved, or if they were actually going from photographer to photographer asking for prices? 😕
And even if they were, what's weird about that? Everyone does it.🤷
Even if they were being cheap, that's their right. People pay for a service, and they have every right to haggle and ask for every single detail.

Nicole Cox said:Do they have a website? I tried searching on Google, but nothing is coming up... thanks.

Just check PayPal.

ruggedtrucker5 said:I can't recommend photo studio Microsoft or RCA Records enough (it really just depends on your budget). Microsoft does that classic, timeless style for a pretty reasonable price—usually negotiable—and the shots are gorgeous. RCA Records, on the other hand, goes for a much more modern look with full editing, which is absolutely stunning—but it’ll cost you a bit more.

I’d also suggest RCA Records to everyone. I’ve seen their work firsthand—they shot a friend's wedding recently and they are in a league of their own. The photos are amazing, and nobody else in this area can touch the quality of their video production.
Look, when it comes to price, it’s all relative. Once the wedding is over, the photos and video are the only things you actually have left.

The other day I’m at the grocery store waiting at the deli counter when this woman looks at me and says, "Just a little longer, huh?" while gesturing toward my stomach. I didn't even bother responding because I don't know her. Then she just keeps going—"I had three kids, all C-sections. My first labor was a nightmare, I had stretches, then I didn't dilate for hours so they had to go in surgically, it was horrific..." 🙂 She just kept rambling...

I honestly couldn't believe it. Why on earth would you tell me this? We're total strangers and I'm literally days away from giving birth. 🙄 Imagine some random lady in a supermarket dumping her entire traumatic birth history on you. Unbelievable.
Recently, my friend's sister had her baby and it wasn't exactly an easy delivery either. I told her straight up: "Tell me everything after I actually give birth, not now. I have zero interest in hearing horror stories right before my due date."

It drives me crazy when people tell me to "just calm down" or "relax." Nobody actually listens to what's bothering me or tries to understand why I'm stressed in the first place. They just brush me off with stuff like, "chill out," "why are you always complaining?" or "just think about something else."🙄
Whatever, people say it's meant to soothe me, but it doesn't work..
The other thing is, the second I walk into a grocery store, a butcher shop, a bakery, or even just walking down the street—if I see someone I know, even if we’ve never spoken before—they immediately hit me with, "Hey, you're late," or "What are you waiting for?"

My belly has shot up so much over the last few days that it’s obvious I’m nearing the finish line (36 weeks along). Now, everyone who lays eyes on me—from the cashier at Target to old acquaintances I haven't spoken to in years—feels entitled to grill me with questions or launch into their own unsolicited birth stories.
Honestly, it doesn't even bother me that much. I'm used to it, and sometimes it’s actually kind of nice.

On the flip side, the people who *actually* should be asking how I am? They stay silent...

cosmicwalker17 said:Ugh, I’ve been having such a rough time sleeping this past week... Honestly, I hit the pillow absolutely exhausted and pass out instantly. But then, just a few hours later? I’m tossing and turning like crazy. It actually feels like my hips are going numb from lying still for too long, and then the cycle starts. I have to get up to use the restroom, then I realize I'm parched, so I grab some water, crawl back into bed, and—you guessed it—back to the bathroom again. Then I'm thirsty once more... it's just an endless loop! And the worst part? My husband is sleeping so peacefully right next to me. How have you all been handling sleep during these weeks of pregnancy? (I know it only gets worse as you get closer to the finish line!)

Knock on wood, I've never slept better than I have during this pregnancy. Even now, I can sleep for 10 hours straight without even needing to get up to use the restroom.
The only thing is, for the last two or three days, it's been harder to fall asleep because I have about 13,758 things on my mind (strollers, cribs, bedding, labor, bloodwork, money, labor, labor...) just overthinking everything.
Plus, my apartment is too warm, which definitely doesn't help me drift off.

My platelet count came back slightly low at 142, while the lab's normal range starts at 158.
A few other levels are also a bit down—especially my iron—but I already knew that. It’s been the same way for months now, so I've been taking iron supplements every single day.
Thanks.

wanderingharbor61 said:My mother lost her battle with melanoma yesterday... she just stopped breathing, went out like a match once the flame dies...🙂

Goleo, my deepest condolences on your loss. I wish you and your whole family strength during this time.

Angela Davis74 said:Personally, I value physical photos more. There is something about flipping through an album that beats sitting in front of a TV screen. Of course, quality matters for both, but I prefer the tactile experience. I’ve never had any interest in watching wedding videos. Maybe it’s some lingering childhood resentment from being forced to sit through hours of someone else's wedding footage whenever we visited relatives.🤷 😬😬

And that’s exactly the point. Fewer people are making those marathon multi-hour DVDs these days. Those days where you get a 5-hour disc are mostly gone.
Actually, they haven't vanished entirely because plenty of people still do it, but the trend is dying out.

It’s a lot of work—sitting there for hours just to hand something over to the newlyweds.
You have to edit the shots, assemble the DVD, pick out the highlights, and cut out all the dead air where the camera was just pointed at a wall or the floor.

I'm not calling anyone out specifically, but I am a perfectionist when it comes to this stuff. I can easily tell the difference between high-end production and mediocre work. It's like being able to tell the difference between a talented florist and someone who's just punching a clock.

Regardless, music is definitely one of the biggest factors in a successful wedding. If the food is bad but the band is killer, guests will stay entertained all night and won't even mention the catering. But if the music sucks and the guests spend the whole night moping and bored, they'll remember that forever.

Anyway, I think there's a massive selection of vendors available throughout the Midwest. No one should make a final decision after just one conversation with a venue, a photo studio, a florist, or a jeweler. Usually, there's up to a year between picking a date and the actual wedding, which is plenty of time to shop around and check everything out thoroughly. It’s work, and honestly, it can be a massive headache, but it beats regretting your choices later.

Morgan Stewart50 said:The Krizmanić Photography family studio is truly something else. They’re probably the most famous photographers in Columbus, and honestly, their calendar is booked so far in advance it feels like you need to schedule a session years ahead of time, haha! I mean, they are just incredibly high in demand... though I can't quite put my finger on where all their clients are coming from specifically...

Look, if you prefer plain and mediocre, go ahead and hire them..

Justin Martinez3 said:See, that’s really just a matter of personal taste. I actually had the chance to look at some work from Krizmanić Photography, and honestly? The DVD was great, but the actual photos... not so much. I don't know—everything with the wedding shots felt like it was coming out of the same mold, just the same old poses over and over again. It felt kind of lackluster. Then again, who knows? Maybe I just caught them on an off day when they were having a bit of a slump. Either way, for me, the DVD was fine, but the 👍 photos 👎 weren't quite there.

No offense intended, but that's just my honest 🙂 take on his photography style.

No one should be offended. This is a forum; everyone has different opinions and that's what it's for.

Amy Hayes28, I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your father.

I’m wishing you strength for everything ahead of you...

To everyone else out there, stay strong. I wish you all nothing but success in your own battles and in the fights your loved ones are facing. I hope everyone pulls through and recovers.

As for me, I still miss my dad more than words can say. That pain never really goes away.

My deepest condolences to Dina's family and friends. This tragic news came as a complete shock to me. Dina’s posts were always bursting with optimism and such a bright, positive outlook on life—even while facing her illness. I am truly sorry.
I believe she is in a better place now, free from all pain and suffering.
Once again, my sincere condolences. Wishing her family and friends strength in the days ahead.

Arthur Wells4 said:Hey everyone.
Got a question... not sure if I'm in the right spot here, but whatever, I need some help...
So, I hooked up with my boyfriend a few days after my period ended—supposedly my fertile window, apparently. We aren't exactly trying for a baby right now, though we wouldn't say no. Anyway, I got my next period totally on schedule, actually a bit heavier than usual, and then I went ahead and took a test just to be sure. It was negative. But lately, I keep hearing stories about women having what they thought was a normal period for months while being pregnant... so now I'm wondering if that could happen to me. I mean, I’ve been starving lately, my breasts feel tight, my stomach feels weird, and I’m running to the bathroom constantly. My OB-GYN told me a long time ago that because of how my uterus is positioned, I’ll have a low belly that puts a lot of pressure on my bladder. Is it possible I'm actually pregnant? It’s not even PMS time yet. Is this a real possibility... or just a bunch of random coincidences happening at once?
Thanks.

Why don't you just go see an OB-GYN for a checkup?

P.S. You're in the wrong thread. This section is for people talking about actual pregnancy symptoms—meaning people who are already pregnant.