One of my favorite blogs – TheWeddingMarketingBlog.com – just put up a post blasting an interview with Jenny Lefcourt, co-founder of Bella Pictures.
With the state of the economy, or at any other time for that matter, I can completely understand the need to save money and spend wisely. But the suggestions given during this interview seem like a disaster waiting to happen! I’ve worked a lot of weddings, and while replacing a DJ or band with an iPod set-up may seem like a good idea in theory, in my opinion it’s a liability.
For one thing, a reputable DJ has a license to publicly play/distribute music – which is always copyrighted. For another, I have seen many-a-DJ save an event from utter boredom and ensure that it’s nothing shy of a successful shin-dig to battle all others. Will your iPod do that? Or will it possibly alienate half your wedding guests with a set play list? Additionally, a DJ is more than just an iPod with a voice, and oh yeah, a brain and heartbeat. He or she is quite often the director of your big day, and especially if you are not hiring a dedicated, on-sight personal coordinator I would be very hesitant to cut this expense for an iPod. Shop around, ask friends, in big cities like Houston the choices are almost limitless.
The DJ suggestion is just the tip of the iceberg on the lunacy. Next comes the brilliant idea to can your florist. While you could quite possibly make your own centerpieces, as suggested by Jenny, you also have to think about what this will cost you in added stress and time, not to mention ensuring availability for certain flowers at the supermarket. Because let’s face it -there’s little chance you’ll be getting the Ag license enabling you to shop where florists do…and even they have to order ahead of time. Do you have the ability to put yet another responsibility on your to-do list? Flowers have a natural shelf life and while you are also needing to coordinate hair, make-up and all other last minute details that are a part of every wedding, the last thing you need to do is be chipping your nails on floral wire. Perhaps a better suggestion is to visit your local supermarket and chat with the on-staff florist…more affordable and a good way to avoid missing your wedding due to a guaranteed panic-attack.
My favorite part of the interview, though, is the very beginning where Jenny plugs Bella Pictures like there’s no tomorrow. While I agree that you should not skimp on the one thing that will stay with you for posterity, I don’t think that paying a company who can’t/won’t ensure who will actually be sent to photograph your wedding is the best option. Nuff said. That alone gives me the jitters.
The bottom line is, re-search is the key to planning a great wedding at a good price. There is a cost in everything…whether that is measured in dollar bills or stress and heartache, the choice is yours. Don’t be fooled by bad advice.
With the state of the economy, or at any other time for that matter, I can completely understand the need to save money and spend wisely. But the suggestions given during this interview seem like a disaster waiting to happen! I’ve worked a lot of weddings, and while replacing a DJ or band with an iPod set-up may seem like a good idea in theory, in my opinion it’s a liability.
For one thing, a reputable DJ has a license to publicly play/distribute music – which is always copyrighted. For another, I have seen many-a-DJ save an event from utter boredom and ensure that it’s nothing shy of a successful shin-dig to battle all others. Will your iPod do that? Or will it possibly alienate half your wedding guests with a set play list? Additionally, a DJ is more than just an iPod with a voice, and oh yeah, a brain and heartbeat. He or she is quite often the director of your big day, and especially if you are not hiring a dedicated, on-sight personal coordinator I would be very hesitant to cut this expense for an iPod. Shop around, ask friends, in big cities like Houston the choices are almost limitless.
The DJ suggestion is just the tip of the iceberg on the lunacy. Next comes the brilliant idea to can your florist. While you could quite possibly make your own centerpieces, as suggested by Jenny, you also have to think about what this will cost you in added stress and time, not to mention ensuring availability for certain flowers at the supermarket. Because let’s face it -there’s little chance you’ll be getting the Ag license enabling you to shop where florists do…and even they have to order ahead of time. Do you have the ability to put yet another responsibility on your to-do list? Flowers have a natural shelf life and while you are also needing to coordinate hair, make-up and all other last minute details that are a part of every wedding, the last thing you need to do is be chipping your nails on floral wire. Perhaps a better suggestion is to visit your local supermarket and chat with the on-staff florist…more affordable and a good way to avoid missing your wedding due to a guaranteed panic-attack.
My favorite part of the interview, though, is the very beginning where Jenny plugs Bella Pictures like there’s no tomorrow. While I agree that you should not skimp on the one thing that will stay with you for posterity, I don’t think that paying a company who can’t/won’t ensure who will actually be sent to photograph your wedding is the best option. Nuff said. That alone gives me the jitters.
The bottom line is, re-search is the key to planning a great wedding at a good price. There is a cost in everything…whether that is measured in dollar bills or stress and heartache, the choice is yours. Don’t be fooled by bad advice.
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