Totally confused

Did you check out Moments That Matter Photography?? They're great and reasonable prices!

Hi Ash H. I am also getting married at the Barcelo Maya Palace. My date is May 29,2010! I am flying in my own photographer as well. For the price, I'm getting 3 days worth of coverage and perks that would not be possible with a resort photog. The Barcelo has changed its rules about outside vendors, however, I have been told that as long as the photographer is a paying guest at the resort, they are allowed....

I am using a local photographer, but not the "Resort" photographer. My resort is supposed to have a rule about outside photographers not being allowed as well, but from what the photographers have told me,they haven't had an issue taking pictures there before.

Great question. Right now I'm researching photographers to see if I should fly someone in to Aruba. I kind of wanted to use someone local but we'll see...

I just wanted to ask you if you have clarified if having a photographer stay a few nights there is allowed? Just curious for future brides. I had read about the new rule from another photographer and it didn't sound like you could book a few nights stay for them. Alot of girls have just booked rooms for local photogs before. But i was thinking this wasn't allowed and you had to use the resorts photog unless you had notified them by a certain date.

just wanting to clarify for future Barcelo Maya girls

Hi Jacilynda! I am flying in my photographer from Missouri and not using a local photographer, I notified the WC's at the Barcelo Palace about this and have not been told that I could not have her shoot my wedding. Perhaps the difference is she is from out of the country and not a "local" competitor, or maybe it is that they will be paying guests of the hotel/wedding for a four night stay...or maybe I told them before the deadline and didn't know it.....Not sure...

But I don't want to mislead anyone and would suggest for all future brides to Please clarify with the Barcelo wedding coordinators about their new policy before booking your photographer as I have also read news about changes.....

It seems really rather unfair for Barcelo to make these changes, particularly since they do not even offer photography as part of their wedding packages. Unless they have changed their inclusions for 2010 (I'm still waiting to see the prices and inclusions for the 2010 packages) Anyone have these new packages yet??

We felt the same way you did; we wanted a high-quality photographer, but most likely couldn't swing the cost of flying one in/taking care of 3 days worth of accomodations. So, we've decided the following:

 

As we are getting married at a Sandals resort, and they have pretty strict photography policies, we are going to purchase the smallest package they offer and the waaaayyy over-priced DVD of our ceremony. Then, after we have our short cocktail reception, we have made arrangements with an American photographer (Brian Nejedly!!!) THAT LIVES in Ocho Rios, Jamaica to take us and a few of our guests OFF THE RESORT property to have a combination portrait session (with the fam) and then a short TTD with just John and I! We were able to work out a package that was just over $1000 -- and since he lives there, we don't have to make any travel arrangements! WIN-WIN!

 

I'd say do your best to figure out a way to get a great photographer; trim your budget elsewhere or get a little creative like we had to! In the end, your pics are one of the few things you'll have left to remember your special day, so I think it's totally worth the investment if you can swing it!

Hi There ... We are flying our own photographer into Aruba. I had looked at portfolios of lots of local photographers and just couldn't find 'the look' I wanted. I was able to find a lot of 'standard wedding photography' but not up to the standard I wanted. I want a little 'glam' for my wedding photos. =) When I was doing my research I was surprised to find that bringing my own photographer isn't as expensive as I had expected it to be.... at least not dramatically more than local photographers. You have the flight and at least one night lodging to pay for, but really, I was finding the total package to be maybe 40% more, not double like I was expecting it to be. And its nice to have peace of mind to have American legal recourse available in case god forbid, something goes wrong.

 

The benefit to local photographers though is that they know their area and will know about places your flown in photographer might not. Anyway - we lucked out with a family friend that is going to do our photos for us as her gift to us, but even if that weren't the case I think photos is one of the few areas to not hold back! Just my opinion. =) This is the day I expect to feel confident and beautiful and want that captured as well as the emotion in all those moments.

 

I will admit though, that I was a bit hasty in ruling out the local photographers - after I had made other arrangements a local guy came to my attention that looks pretty good.

We're using the photographer that was recommended by the resort... it would have cost us a lot more to fly in our own photographer, and when we looked at the financial aspect of that, it just wasn't worth it. I had the resort put me in contact with the one they recommended, so I could see samples of their work before I made the decision.

I'm not! We're using the photographer at the Resort!