Those cute wedding-themed disposable cameras seem like a great idea. Your friends will take far more personal photos than your photographer will be able to, and it’s a fun way for your quests to participate.
Unfortunately many companies refurbish these cameras several times. I had read specific warnings and was very careful to choose cameras that were not advertised as refurbished. I chose Agfa brand film which is known to be a very reliable brand among professional photographers. What I got were cameras that barely functioned and the results were very disappointing.
The cameras I got were from a company called Nuptial Knick Knacks in Texas (nuptialknickknacks.com). I wrote to this company regarding the light leaks, faulty advance wheels, and non-working flashes that plagued my cameras. The response I got was less than satisfying: “Unfortunately there is no way to tell if they are defective. You did get 12 cameras. How are we to know which if any are defective. We do not have any of the product anymore or film. We are very sorry, but disposable cameras are impossible to return after being used. This is why we have this disclaimer on our site. If you did not want to, you did not have to purchase them from us. That is your choice. Thank you, Nuptial Knick Knacks Staff”
This is just one case, and I’m sure that some companies will guarantee their products. If you do decide to get these cameras, please read the fine print very carefully, apparently this is a “buyer beware” situation. The problem with my cameras only cost me $120, but the greater loss was the collection of photos that I’ll never see.
These days many, if not most, people have digital cameras. Had I know then what I know now, I would have skipped the table cameras and put a note on my wedding website asking people to bring their digital cameras.
There is no substitute for the fun candid photos that friends take of other friends, but in my opinion the cardboard cameras should go the way of pastel-colored almonds and paper bells.
Recent Comments