Photo & Video Packages vs. A La Carte: Which Saves You More?
Planning your perfect Kansas City wedding or event often involves selecting the right photography and videography services to capture every treasured moment. When choosing how to book these services, you’ll likely encounter two main options: bundled photo & video packages or a la carte services. But which option truly saves you more money and stress? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision that fits your budget and needs.
What Are Photo & Video Packages?
Photo & video packages bundle multiple services together into one comprehensive offering. Typically, packages include a set number of hours, multiple photographers and videographers, edited photos and videos, and sometimes additional perks like engagement shoots or highlight reels. These packages are priced as a whole, often offering a discount compared to booking each service separately.
What Does A La Carte Mean?
A la carte means selecting each service individually and only paying for what you want. You might hire a photographer for certain hours and add a videographer separately, or choose specific add-ons like drone footage, a second shooter, or photo albums. This option allows for maximum flexibility and customization to your exact preferences.
Comparing Cost Savings
Packages tend to save you money: Because vendors price bundled services competitively, packages often come with discounts compared to paying for photography and videography separately. Vendors also streamline their operations when offering packages, which helps reduce costs passed on to you.
A la carte can lead to unexpected expenses: While selecting individual services may seem cheaper upfront, add-ons and extra hours quickly add up. Without the package deal’s negotiated discount, your total might surpass your initial budget.
Flexibility and Personalization
Packages provide simplicity: You get a curated selection that covers all essential services, making planning more straightforward. A la carte offers customization: If you only want photography but not videography (or vice versa), or need specialized services like photo booth rentals, a la carte allows for tailored choices.
Quality and Vendor Coordination
Booking photo and video as a package often means working with a vendor team accustomed to collaborating—resulting in smoother event coverage and better overall results. Separate bookings might cause coordination challenges or inconsistent styles, potentially impacting how your memories are captured.
Which Option Is Best For You?
Choose photo & video packages if you want convenience, potential cost savings, and seamless coordination between photographers and videographers. Opt for a la carte services if you prefer full control over your selections or need highly customized services.
Final Thoughts
Both photo & video packages and a la carte services have their merits. To truly save money and time, compare vendor pricing carefully, ask about package deals, and consider your event’s unique needs. Whichever you choose, quality and communication with your vendors are the keys to capturing your wedding or event beautifully.
Would you like help finding trusted photography and videography vendors who offer package deals? Feel free to reach out!
Complete Weddings + Events Kansas City
We are Kansas City’s leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, coordination, DJ services, and photo booth rental.
