Hi all, we're working on selecting a weddingmoon location. Actually the wedding may be August or Sept 2012, but I thought I'd ask you ladies. I am not sure how much time we'll need for an elopement, but at a minimum 2 hours. Ceremony, then some scenic shots of us. The rest would just be perks I think. Ideally we'd like to get shots from two locations because of the beauty of the area, but may be hard to wing with 2 hours.
Banff area is PRICEY. I looked to other areas, but Canmore/Banff really has the motherload of photography selection.
The first Canadian guy I am considering has 2 hours photography $1275, plus $75 travel fee to our location. Also there is a 4 hours, plus album for $2475, plus travel fee. If you go with the latter, you can add on a day before engagement for $300 in a different location. So $1350 for 2 hours, or $2850 for 4 hours, album, plus engagements in the Rockies.
For just $1350 more, there's a world photographer that goes to Banff yearly based out of Australia. He's does ONLY all day wedding plus day before engagements for $4200. He's by far the best, up there with Jose Villa and Leo Patrone, but that is a chunk of change for sure - although the lowest $/hr rate compared to the other Banff photographers. Another bride is paying his airfare and hotel so that is not part of my expense! This guy love elopements above all other weddings.
Then I had a Utah photographer booked for a Jackson Hole wedding who has offered to go to Canada for the same price of $1800 USD. We lowered some hours and cut bridals. So 6 hours plus engagements (in Utah) runs $1100, leaving herself $700 for tickets, car, hotel, food.
However, although the Utah girl is the best price, there is some benefit to having a local photographer who knows their way around. The Canadian guy has been in the business for 12+ years. The Utah photographer is only about 2 years in the business (she's quite young - 23, 24?). The world photographer is in between.
Both Banff based photographers were very quick with email responses. Utah girl took sometimes 2 weeks (!), but luckily I had the time to wait. Not sure if that's normal for her or not.
Is $4200 in the budget? Well, ideally we wouldn't like to spend that much because because the principle of it all (kind of thought the weddingmoon would be cheaper than a Jackson wedding), and don't believe weddings should cost that much, but if it is a more wise decision for experience, quality and bang for your buck, we can probably convince ourselves.
Who would you go with? All offer high res edited CD with printing rights.