FI and I had liked the work a photographer had done for his sister's wedding. They were good quality and we liked the fact that he put the pictures to disc and signed over the rights so that they could print what they wanted, when they wanted.
FSIL said that she believes he charged them $400-$500 (FSIL's husband's sister is good friends with him which is maybe why they got such a good price, but I don't know!).
So FSIL said to just message him through Facebook.
I messaged him last Saturday and he responded very quickly and said that the date was open. He asked for an email or mailing address so he could send us some more information.
I provided him with both and advised which ever would be easier for him is fine.
The day after we were advised by FSIL that it's his policy not to do alcoholic weddings (it's a side business for him).
My mom was the one wanting and paying for the alcohol - we informed her of our issue. Her friend knows a good photographer. We looked at some of his pictures which are amazing! (And actually, I think, better than the other's)
The other photographer is going to charge us $600 for the whole day (normally $850 but since the connection...).
Now it'll be a week tomorrow since the other photographer and I have exchanged messages (he did not provide me with any other means of contacting him) and it was a holiday week, but we haven't received any information from him yet (maybe he's on vacation or just busy???).
My mom has since agreed to no alcohol as it just doesn't make sense to spend that much money on it when only a few people will be drinking, so it really leaves us with two choices.
I'm leaning more towards the guy that my mom's friend knows. I feel a lot of confidence in the pictures that I have seen of his. FI wants to wait until we get the information from the other photographer - we haven't been given an estimated price or anything or any information at all. FI wants to review that information first before we make a decision. And tbh, even if this other guy is $100 - $200 more, I feel like he is very well suited for the job.
But the thing is, a week has past and we haven't heard from the other photographer. How long should we give him given that this was a holiday week? Part of me wants to say that as it's a side job, to give him a little more time, but on the other hand, it's still a business.
FI thinks I should send him a follow up message to find out when we can expect the information. I, on the other hand, almost feel like if he doesn't get us the information, he doesn't want our business and we shouldn't have to follow up with him to get the information.
I may be wrong on that, but I feel like we have a lot to figure out and get done and we shouldn't be begging vendors to send us their information.
Suggestions on how long we should allow to receive this information (since I gave him the option of either email or mailing address - which really shouldn't take more than a day or 2 to receive once it is sent as it's very local)?
If we don't hear back after so long, should we send a follow up email or we consider working with the photographer who sounds eager to photograph our wedding?
