Look, it’s pretty simple: if high-end photography is a priority for you, then pay the premium. If it isn't, pay less and move on—that's just how it works. Personally? I’d much rather have ten stunning, high-quality shots than a million mediocre, copy-paste photos. Honestly, I think you can get a decent set of photos and a basic video clip for around $1,300. I'm not saying it's a mistake to pay more if that's what you care about—you should absolutely pay for what you value. But I’m just not the type of person who’s going to obsessively scroll through photo albums, and let's be real, I probably won't even watch the wedding video. I’d much rather focus on building actual memories in my head and, say, taking that extra cash I saved and putting it toward a trip to Maui or somewhere else special. I'll say it again: that’s my preference, and that’s what I’m going to do. If someone is obsessed with photography and wants the absolute best, they can pay the higher price and call it a day. But nobody can tell me that for $1,300 I won't walk away with anything—I'll still have memories that are perfectly sufficient for my needs.
Gary Rivera2 said:Regarding photographers from Texas, I know a few cases where they are way cheaper. Their full packages can go for around $1,200, whereas everywhere I’ve looked here, I haven't seen a single quote under $1,500. Beep is great, I guess, but their base package is roughly $1,700. In the end, I decided to split the photography and video because I don't really need the filming part, and my photographer charges me $700 and does exactly what I ask. It's all a matter of preference, I suppose, but if I have any money left over, I'd rather spend it on a trip than blow it on these ridiculous, honestly senseless amounts.
That's exactly how I'm looking at it too. Who did you end up hiring?
copperowl13 said:And you honestly think you can get it for under $2,000? And that’s assuming you’ve already factored in the flight tickets... Plus, they’re asking for a 30 percent down payment upfront!!!
Ugh, that is way out of my budget. I’m going to have to go with a more affordable option and just see how it turns out. Honestly, some photographers down in Texas are much cheaper—I’ve actually had a few people recommend someone, and they said the work is solid, so I think I’ll end up choosing one of them. I just don't have $2,000 to spare right now, especially with all my other expenses piling up.
George Williams7 said:hey everyone 😁 does anyone know anything about that wedding venue, Katarina, over in Naperville? any thoughts on the vibe or what it costs? 🙏🙏
Back when I was scouting venues a few months ago, they were quoting $39 per person. If I recall correctly from my conversation with the owner, it’s a pretty massive hall—they can actually use partitions to "shrink" the space if you're planning a smaller reception. To be honest, after a few communication hiccups at the end, I didn't actually get to see the place in person. My gut feeling was that they aren't exactly thrilled about hosting groups of 200—they'd much rather fill the whole room with a larger crowd—but hey, maybe I've got that wrong. Looking at the photos, the place looks lovely and the price seems quite reasonable to me, so there's certainly no harm in 😉
Elizabeth Barnes36, I was actually going back and forth between Dugopolj or Castilla because of the price points—I really was—but in the end, I went with San Francisco. Honestly, once I saw my venue, I just knew (seeing my own hall made it click for me), and I’d much rather pay the difference there and maybe cut back on something else later. That said, both Castilla and Dugopolj have solid venues for what they charge, so why not head over and take a look? It couldn't hurt...
Hannah Murphy11 hit the nail on the head; all the halls include chair covers and bows in whatever color you want in the base price, plus drinks (everything except hard liquor) and snacks—though note that desserts are NOT included (some places let you bring your own homemade treats, while others strictly require a certified caterer). Also, if you want extra lighting, you'll be paying more at any of them, though it can be cheaper at certain spots if they already have the equipment built-in (as we've discussed here before). Venues like Nirs, Aria, or Just say Yes are the ones that already have that setup ready to go...
Everyone’s entitled to their own take... personally, I think Atlanta is absolutely stunning. When I first stepped inside, I was floored—the space itself is so refined that you don't even need extra decor to make it look high-end; everything just feels naturally elegant. Plus, I've heard nothing but glowing reviews about the catering... though, of course, tastes vary. For instance, I recently had an incredible meal at a ballroom, yet I saw one forum member claiming the food there was a total disaster. I have zero interest in digging into Kerouac's business dealings with Atlanta—that’s nobody's concern. My focus is on the venue, which is perfect, and Katherine, who was incredibly kind to me—that’s what actually matters right now. I also love the lighting setup, so I'll be upgrading to $667 without a second thought. It’s my gala, my call 😛 Sharing advice and voicing an opinion is exactly why we're here, but calling someone an idiot just because they want to organize their own gala their way? That’s just plain classless.
Hey fadedsurfer54, Regarding Say Yes—yeah, they’re charging 38 €. The manager there is actually quite charming, but I have a major gripe with the layout: the dance floor is positioned such that you can't see it from every corner of the room, which is a total dealbreaker for me. They do offer an outdoor option with a tent for weddings, which looks absolutely stunning, but let's be real—that comes with a massive price hike... Now, Nirs is at 36 €, and honestly, I think it's a great pick if your guest list stays under 160 people. If you go over that number, they switch to rectangular tables instead of rounds, and frankly, I wasn't a fan of that setup... As for Sky, I believe it's around 42 €, though I haven't had a chance to look into them deeply yet. Then there's Ino, I think they're about 35 €... hm, it's okay, I guess. If you're looking near Castleton, you should definitely consider the Castle hall (35 euros), and if you want something in Miami, you've got Bolero and Ari available for around 40 euros.
I’ve never personally heard Taxi Band play, but word on the street is they’re fantastic—except for the fact that they want 2,200 dollars, which I find absolutely outrageous. Most bands are hovering around the 2,000 mark, which is already way too much in my book, but I refuse to pay that extra 200 just out of pure principle.
As for photographers? I am completely lost there too—I definitely need some help finding someone good, haha.😉
What’s the typical price range for a Photographer these days? I'm not looking for some over-the-top, luxury VIP package—just something reasonable that delivers solid photos and maybe a basic video clip...
Matthew Ross11 - I’m not entirely sure what the capacity is for the Aria hall, but if your guest list fits within their limits, I would absolutely recommend it. Given the price point versus the overall quality, Dolis seems like a solid choice to me.
As for the band, I’m thinking along the same lines... I wouldn't go with Barbary, but I'm torn between the Boss group, Jessie Bend, xxs, the Best group, or Kocka... ugh, please, fellow forum members—give me some advice to make this decision easier! :slap:
Hi there! I’ve been scrolling through all the advice shared so far regarding bands and photographers (or videographers, if we're being precise), but I’m really looking for some more recent perspectives—so if anyone has any fresh tips or intel, please share... 🙏 Specifically, what are we looking at in terms of reasonable rates for a photographer these days?
As for the music, I'm currently torn between Jessie Bend, the XS band, and the group Boss?? 😉