How / Best way to do a Slideshow for reception?
 

A couple asked for the first time to do a slideshow and I agreed to find out a price for them.

I have a few questions.

What is the best way to go about doing this? Laptop w/ Projector or just Projector?

What model is sufficient to buy or do you rent?

What kinda screen do you recommend that is easy to setup and store? What model?

How much do you charge to create the montage?

How long is it roughly?

How much do you charge to rent the projector and screen?

Please feel free to add any other insight that you have about doing this.

Thanks!

What is the best way to go about doing this? Laptop w/ Projector or just Projector?

I don't think you can just do the projector without a laptop or dvd player, how would you show it?
We have been bringing a portable dvd player and burn our montages to DVD. Going to start using a netbook with a file loaded on it now though, had a couple times when the burned DVD locked up for a second or two.

What model is sufficient to buy or do you rent?

We have a 2500 lumen Dell projector and a 2200 lumen Epson. Both work great and have been used on 10ft screens.

What kinda screen do you recommend that is easy to setup and store? What model?

We use our 72" screen the most, it works for the majority of weddings, we also rent from a local A/V rental shop if we need anything bigger.

How much do you charge to create the montage?

We charge $400 for a montage. Not including scanning pictures it takes about 20min. to create using proshow gold.

How long is it roughly?

I try to stay between 8-10min. anything longer and you loose the guests attention.

How much do you charge to rent the projector and screen?

$150

They now come with built in DVD players. Probably not the best way to go but it's so much easier.

I also found this link as a good guide to refer too.

Rent LCD projectors & projection screens in San Francisco Bay Area

I like separate components in case one quits working you're not replacing both.
Personally I prefer to buy instead of rent, at $200/day you rent 3 times and you have more than paid for the cost to buy a projector. On the otherhand that link is a good one to have as a price reference when you are renting out your gear.