Acclaimed wedding specialist Jenny Lefcourt, creator of TheWeddingChannel.com , was recently interviwed on Fox Channel Good Mornign Chicago on ways to economize your wedding in this difficult economic times.
Her recommendations included do not cut back on the photography--(after all, she is in the photography business-----it is the most important part of your once in a lifetime day. But do cut back on the bar, perhaps by not having an open bar, but opting for a signature cocktail instead.
Then she advises to dump the DJ or the Band. Instead, get an IPOD and make a fantastic list of your favorite music instead.
Here is an example of a real Ipod Wedding...
Typical. If you watched the segment notice how the co-founder of a photography website says the ONE thing that shouldn't be compromised is the photography. So I forwarded this email to all of my fellow DJ's as did so many others and I responded..
To Whom It May Concern,
Why would a wedding professional like Jenny Leftcourt throw an entire wedding services sector under the bus on TV? Suggesting that having a professional behind the equipment is unnecessary when it comes to music and yet is still crucial when it comes to photography seems counterintuitive but hey who am I? Just a 15 year FT veteran of the wedding business. It seems even more egregious when you consider that wedding photography is 3 to 4 times more expensive than the average wedding entertainer and comes embroiled in copyright and post wedding price gouging for additional prints, retouching, etc.
Maybe people who are looking to save money should just go with table cameras and Uncle Ernie on his SLR? They'd save alot more $$$ and they could hire a phenomenal DJ so that at the very least everyone had great memories to go along with the guests snapshots.
Great pictures of a crappy event aren't much of a keepsake. Then again I guess it doesn't matter to Jenny whether the photos capture something worth capturing as long as the brides don't make any cuts into her profits.
I for one would never suggest that it made sense to use anything but a professional for all aspects of your wedding. Entertainment, Photography, Catering, etc... it's a recipe that doesn't call for cheap substitutions.
Truly Disappointed,
J. Hatch (DJ J)
www.jhatchdj.com
(315) 561-9774
and voila I get the following response....
Dear Mr. Hatch,
Thank you for contacting us about Jenny’s recent TV appearance. I’m sorry that you were upset by her tips. In response to feedback about her appearance from the wedding community, Jenny prepared an apology which is available online at: http://www.bellapictures.com/pr/Bella_Pictures_Statement_6-30-08.pdf
Regards,
JOANNA TAGERT
PHOTOGRAPHY CONSULTANT
joannat@bellapictures.com
Direct: 888-556-7590 x 5146
www.BellaPictures.com
Your Story.
The Knot Best of Weddings 2008
PDN Top Knots Award Winner 2008
Best of City Search 2007-2008
Certified by The Guide (Here Comes the Guide)
Preferred photography vendor for Marriott Hotels & Resorts®
Preferred photography vendor for Renaissance Hotels & Resorts®
Here's Jenny's apology.....(I reprint it here so that it is archived in case Jenny gets the urge to spout off on TV again.
Dear Wedding Community:
Last week I appeared on a local Chicago television show as part of a segment about how cash-strapped brides can save money on their wedding plans. I have since had the opportunity to watch the segment and have also received emails from a number of wedding DJs who were concerned by my tips.
I apologize for suggesting that an iPod playlist could ever replace a live DJ. A DJ provides tremendous value to an event and in no way can that value be recreated with a pre-set playlist. I have tremendous respect for DJs and all wedding vendors and sincerely apologize to anyone offended by my comments.
I also want to clarify that, while I did co-found Wedding Channel, I am not currently affiliated with WeddingChannel.com or The Knot Wedding Network. My interview is in no way reflective of the views of either Wedding Channel or The Knot.
Respectfully,
Jenny
Jenny Lefcourt
Bella Pictures, Co-founder & VP of Business Development
Got CREDIBILITY? Not anymore! Just goes to show you that there are wedding vendors out there who only care about their own self interest and care nothing for the clients much less their fellow vendors. CAVEAT EMPTOR!
