Epcot Wedding, NON-Disney Photographer ... What do we think of this?

[adisneygal]

Some people spending $100k or more on a wedding may not be satisfied with Disney's quality, and Disney itself may not be able to offer what those clients want.

So you have to have a couture wedding to want good quality? As a Wishes bride, I wasn't satisfied with DPS' quality and I wouldn't be if I were Escape or Memories either. And I say that without being rude or catty.

 

[vickxo]

A lot of this wouldn't be as big of a problem if disney actually let you choose which one of THEIR photographers you wanted (last i read it was run sort of like a lotto, you get whose around on the day - that's it). There are some disney photographers that i was genuinely impressed by and then there were others that made me wonder if they ever used a camera before.
It seems like something so simple that disney could do to help eliminate some of the stresses because i'm pretty sure its safe to say they aren't going to be changing the no outside photographer in the park rule anytime soon.

If disney photography could consistently supply work like this
Amy Alexander - Disney Wedding Photography
IMHO i don't think i'd have a problem having one of their photographers shoot my in park wedding.
I'd still REALLY REALLY rather have The Roots shot my wedding but i'm just making a point Consistency is KEY and disney photography just doesn't have it - in my opinion.

 

[BethieTink]

Having a hired photog in-park isn't allowed for Memories, Wishes, or Escape. What *is* allowed is an outside photog in other areas, and then attending the guest as a reception, unpaid. Disney doesn't restrict the lens length or amount of equipment a guest can bring in, and if you are truly not being paid but taking photos, then they have a hard time restricting that.

Additionally, I have assisted at Disney as an outside photog for conventions and know they escort outside photogs into the park for those events (Living Seas Salon in 2010, I can't remember where this year). And this was allowed for this event.

Lastly, I'm fairly sure Couture collections are allowed outside photographers-that's been a rumor around town for awhile. This wedding looks in that price range to me. Some people spending $100k or more on a wedding may not be satisfied with Disney's quality, and Disney itself may not be able to offer what those clients want. Spending 100k or more would probably necessitate a custom contract and not a package deal such as with Escape, Wishes, etc, so open to more negotiation about outside vendors. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thought the Arndts have shot couture weddings in-park.

Having a non-park ceremony with an outside photographer (hired to take ceremony pictures) as a guest is a really gray area and probably how this couple got around it. But, wow what a slippery slope that could be.

Your point about the conventions really doesn't apply here since I am sure the Disney has a different set of rules for those events. I am sure that some companies also bring in their own corporate photographers from time to time, so that would make sense. It is not the conventions that we are upset with.

Disney's collections have nothing to do with how much a bride spends. A bride is not automatically bumped to the couture category because she spends more than a certain amount. Couture events are very specific in their theming and their own set of rules, including the lighting and the draping. Also, couture receptions are held only at the Contemporary (per Carrie's book) because the decor packages were specifically designed for that space.

Your comment about someone who spends over $100K for a wedding may not be satisfied with Disney's quality or what Disney has to offer is incredible. I am not spending half of that amount and I am not completed satisfied with what Disney may be offering me when it comes to photography. Just because people will spend that money doesn't mean that they have a higher level of satisfaction to meet.

That sounds like a fairly reasonable explanation to me, they may well have a custom contract with amended specifications for Couture weddings.

Also, a few people have mentioned that everyone should get the same, but really, don't Disney treat people differently all the time? When we see people getting something different or a little bit extra, it's usually called pixiedust. It's just one of those things, this particular wedding got something that most people don't. It isn't going to change my wedding, I already have my expectations, so I don't have an issue with it. YMMV.

This is a bit more than someone getting a special character interaction or bumped to the front of the line on a ride. This is a lot more than a generous sprinkling of "pixiedust".

Don't the couture receptions take place in ballrooms and have to have the wall draping? Also, the Arndts used to work for Disney photography and did specialize in couture weddings while they were there. However, since the ones that I've seen take place in the ballrooms (usually at the Contemporary) any outside photographer could shoot those.

You are right Wendy. Couture are only at the Contemporary and they must have the lighting and the draping. Anyone could have shot them. There is no restriction on photography for them.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Also, a few people have mentioned that everyone should get the same, but really, don't Disney treat people differently all the time? When we see people getting something different or a little bit extra, it's usually called pixiedust. It's just one of those things, this particular wedding got something that most people don't. It isn't going to change my wedding, I already have my expectations, so I don't have an issue with it. YMMV.

It's completely understandable that the more you pay, the more you get. Pay a little (err... a lot) extra and you can have Cinderella's Coach, Major, Domo, and all sorts of "extras." But spending more on a wedding shouldn't allow brides to bypass the rules.

If DFTW came out and said, if you spend X amount, you can hire an outside photographer, then this thread probably wouldn't even exist.

 

[NicknNancy]

http://www.disneyweddingblog.com/2011/08/reactions-to-recent-epcot-wedding.html

Really guys?! I am shocked! Enough is enough! We vented, we wrote emails, feelings were hurt, and yet we still didn't get what we wanted! Was it worth it? I don't think so! Will it make our wedding days less special than they already are? Mine won't be! I am marrying the man of my dreams...anything more is just fluff!

So I say...for the bride's sake....and for our sanity....that we just give it a break and let it go!

 

[adisneygal]

http://www.disneyweddingblog.com/2011/08/reactions-to-recent-epcot-wedding.html

Really guys?! I am shocked! Enough is enough! We vented, we wrote emails, feelings were hurt, and yet we still didn't get what we wanted! Was it worth it? I don't think so! Will it make our wedding days less special than they already are? Mine won't be! I am marrying the man of my dreams...anything more is just fluff!

So I say...for the bride's sake....and for our sanity....that we just give it a break and let it go!

I am shocked that anyone would email the bride or the photographer as well. How is this their fault?

 

[pixie921]

I am shocked that anyone would email the bride or the photographer as well. How is this their fault?

No kidding! That's absolutely appalling!! I can't even believe it would cross someone's mind to actually contact the couple or the photographers and give them grief! To me, anyone who misdirected their frustration with Disney's policy at the couple or the photgraphy company was completely out of bounds.

But I do have to say that I can't believe any of the regular posters here would've done that ... I think we all know there's a HUGE difference between discussing it on a message board or even contacting Disney to find out why there are gaps in their policy as opposed to hunting down and harassing the wedding participants!! NicknNancy, you seem to believe that people here are responsible for what Carly wrote ... I truly hope you're wrong. Remember, the internet is a big place and there are a lot of people who read here and never post or who read Carly's blog and aren't members here.

http://www.disneyweddingblog.com/201...t-wedding.html

Really guys?! I am shocked! Enough is enough! We vented, we wrote emails, feelings were hurt, and yet we still didn't get what we wanted! Was it worth it? I don't think so! Will it make our wedding days less special than they already are? Mine won't be! I am marrying the man of my dreams...anything more is just fluff!

So I say...for the bride's sake....and for our sanity....that we just give it a break and let it go!

 

[Ember]

I 100% agree that emailing anyone but Disney over this is just rude. No one else has control over what Disney chooses or does not choose to allow. However it happened, Disney is responsible for either allowing it, or not stopping it. How that is the fault of the couple, or the photographer, I can't fathom.

I do hope Disney learns from this, though. If they're going to allow the rules to be bent, they better be prepared for a lot of people to start bending them. If they're going to hold firm to them, then the rules should apply across the board. Clearly, the blatant unfair treatment shown here did not go over well and I'm glad many people let Disney know that. The enforced use of DPS is ridiculous, particularly as they over priced and not consistently good at what they do.

 

[trisana21]

agreed!! anyone see the thread in the completed TR forum where the girl got married on the monorail and all the CMs thought it was just fabulous.

if that was one of us, we'd be escorted out and told never to come back.

sorry--off topic--but kinda not.

Actually, I hope you read the thread further to see that it was confirmed with Disney (both before and after the fact) that since it was in a location that is not offered in a DFTW available location that no rule was broken. I am not trying to create further havoc by posting here, but seeing that this has spread to other threads, I would just like that point clarified.

Believe it or not, with regards to the issue of the photographer, I can entirely see where people would be upset. If there is some sort of viable exception to the rule (as in my case with the location), then it should be made clear and available to brides planning their ceremonies. Give brides as much information as possible to use to make decisions about such things. I have seen the Disney in park sessions and they are...not good. I don't know the member's name, but she posted some of her photos (hilariously captioned I must say) that were so odd that I admire her restraint in not going gonzo when she saw them after what she must have spent.

 

[cinby01]

I have never been to WDW so I could not comment on wiether it was on prop or not. But soo many have said it is a park property and that this was a big no no. I am having my reception @ Dland hotel and will be using an outside photog but would love to tak pic in the park. I have been told only w/ a Dis photog and only when the park is closed. That I would not be allowed in gown.
I agree if this was a couture wedding which I dont think it is (its a beautiful wedding but I dont think its in the coutureselection) then maybe there was a special clause built in but as a Dis bride when I call and ask about this then that is the answer I should get instead of excuses being pulled out of someones you know where. And if it is about $$ then say so it costs xxxx to take pictures in the park w/ your own vendor during operating hours and so forth. then let me choose if I want to spend that much, there are so many bells and whistles that can be added if ppl want that this should be an option too.
As for me I will settle for some pics in Dwntwn Dis and the next morning I will be in my little white dress and birdcage veil for the day after shots (kind of how ppl do their engagement shots) to get my castle pic but it is what it is.

pps I am new here but have been on carlys blog for a year now and its been my experience that disney brides are an awesome sisterhood but geeez this thread had a couple of LadyTremaines and Maleficents out there anyhoo hope the rule gets amended for future brides, every bride is entitled to their special day. If it changes after me se la vie but since my day hasnt come yet I will be bugging my coordinator until their is an explanation.

 

[cinby01]

I had a conversation this morning with one of the directors of DFTW about this issue. If anyone wants to know how that conversation went please feel free to pm me.

I would love to know. my wedding is in 2012