Worth driving all the way down to consult?

Rainbow17

I'm currently living in Gville.  I've reserached different photographers and videographers and am ready to meet.  The problem is, I would have to take a 6 hour car ride just to meet with different photographers.

I'm about to drop close to $5,000 on photography.  I want to make sure this is money well spent, but I really don't think I have the time to drive all the way down there just to meet.

Should I just do a phone consultation and decide from there?  Do you think its really worth me going down?

When I selected a venue, I made sure to go out, because I'm physically looking with a space.  But with photog, I'm looking at pics, so everything is online. 

PhiSigFly

I would agree with that for a lot of other vendors-- musicians, videographer, etc. However, I would recommend meeting a photographer in person. I'm planning from NY and we had the same thoughts about meeting with photogs. However, we decided to meet with them in person and I was so happy we made that decision. The photographer is with you, practically in your face, for so much of the day. You want to make sure it's someone that you feel comfortable with - in my opinion. We took a weekend and met with 5 (too many, in retrospect), but we really hit it off with the one that we chose (Travis Harris) and I'm confident that he'll make me totally comfortable as he shoots getting ready photos, posed for pictures, and all that other fun stuff. We've booked a dj, ceremony musicians, and videographer without meeting them and I'm fine with that. 

Krysta6

I would suggest meeting with photographers in person.  I chose my videographer without meeting him because I just loved his work and I didn't have time to meet him. But with photo's I'm glad I met the 3 I did because we picked the photographer that we felt had the most passion for his work, the one that we felt would do anything to get his shot. I wouldn't have been able to feel that and see that from a phone call. One photographer we veto-ed because he was late to our appointment and acted like it was normal to be late! I don't want that on the day of!

RemyAlexandra

I used to go to school at UF and did that drive all the time, it's not too terrible. I definitely suggest meeting your big vendors in person. I flew down from new York to meet with my photo and video options. They are both big parts of your wedding from what you mention, so I think you should make the trip.

sadou02

If you decide you dont want to drive you can always Skype them so you still kind of get the face to face interaction.  I did that with some of the photographers I considered.  The photographer I eventually chose I met in person only because she was traveling to Tampa one weekend and it worked with her schedule.

But I would definitely recommend Skype or some form of videochatting if you cant make the drive.  Trust I completely understand making a drive.  I live in Tampa now and have a 3.5 hour drive thats not too long but still just a burden when you just want to get there already.