Non AI Brides: Speak Up! :)

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Hellooo Lovely Brides,

 

I'm almost done sealing the deal with Hilton Los Cabos - Yay!, and I just thought I'd post a new thread for the few non-AI brides out there to find some questions and answers to help figure things out. So far, I've been gleaning this site for user insight and it's been amazingly helpful, especially because I'm probably not going to do a site visit.

 

Anyhoo, I do have my own agenda with this question

 

1. Do you cover your photographers meal expenses?

 

The one I'm using thought Hilton was an AI, she added additional cost for travel and time expenses when she found out meals were not included. She seems fine and fair, i.e. not shady, but I was just wondering what the norm was.

 

Please let me know and feel free to post your own questions and info.

 

It's been really helpful to read others' research work so I would like to return the favor. I recently looked up weather temps and hotel peak seasons, I will post that up soon.

 

Thanks!

 

Yuri

[mich999]

I assume you are bringing your photographer from the states?

 

Our photographer was from Cabo so I can't speak to that specifically, but it seems like some sort of per diem per day would be fair - after all the photographer is only there because of your wedding but others on the forum who brought photogs with them could answer this better (or other photogs that travel!).

 

For those who hire photographer on-site, I think brides should remember that even though it's a DW, they are still your vendors and if you would have fed them at home, why wouldn't you feed them there. The hilton had a vendor meal price for the reception and we fed our photographer and his assistant as well as the DJ and his assistant. Our DJ thanked us multiple times - the goodwill was beyond worth it.

[bnbrmy]

I haven't discussed meals with our photographer, I assumed that I would invite him to eat with us, after he got a few shots of the reception or order him room service before it started. He is a Cabo base photographer that has worked at the Hilton (we are also getting married there), so maybe the Hilton has it worked out in the package that his meal will be covered. I should probably research this a little myself.

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Yes, she is a US photographer. True true, I intended to invite her and her phtg partner to the wedding meals. But I guess she raised it by $200 per day for all the other meal and beverage expenses?

 

bnbrmy, if you don't mind me asking, who is your photographer? Is is Juan Carlos or one of the suggested Hilton vendors?

 

I'm working with Tathiana, are you too? Don't mean to inundate you with questions, but thought maybe we can share notes :0)

[bnbrmy]

No feel free to ask any questions. I'd be happy to answer anything I can. We are getting Jerome Dieu mangoweddings.com. He is another one that works with the Hilton. And yes I'm also working with Tathiana. I really liked his work. And his prices were one of the cheapest too. He does the "ah la cart" thing were you can pick your time 3 hours 10 hours and if you get the wedding package through the Hilton, they have 1 hour of photography for free

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I see, thank you bnbrmy!

[bnbrmy]

No problem dear

[Sheree10]

I'm getting married in Aruba but just wanted to say hello as a fellow non-AI bride. When we were looking to bring a photographer from the US we were informed of an additional fee per day for meals.

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Thanks Sheree10! I feel like a miser with this focus but, if you don't mind me asking, was it close to $100 a day per person?

[Sheree10]

Ms Yuri: I contacted a few and got different results. They all wanted their package, hotel and air for two plus:

Photog 1) food and shuttle or fee of $100

Photog 2) all meals, ground transportation, taxes and tips

Photog 3)no mention of extras, just hotel and air

 

Photography for us was very important. Unfortunately, when we were looking we didn't find anyone( at the time) to justify paying all of the extra money to bring to Aruba. We found a great person on the island and it all worked out. Definately do your research and look at all of the other costs. A splurge for an excellent photog is worth it though. Good luck!!