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So confused

mycicybridemycicybride
500 Comments
in African American Weddings
OK y'all I usually don't post stuff like this but lately I have been very indecisive about photography. This is so not me.  I usually know exactly what I want and then find a way to get it....for less. I have been doing great with e-pix and b-pic deals which were virtually free up until this point. Usually I use one then move on to the next deal but....with the contest quickly coming to an end I am torn. If we win, we get free wedding coverage and rehearsal dinner coverage and save a chunk of money ($2300) but...for some reason I have my heart set on sky and carla of ATL which will totally blow the budget to hell....So please weigh in on this one....WWYD...Free to save the budget and go with an OK photog OR pay for sky and carla who are the bomb and blow the budget?
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Re: So confused

  • alfdallas21alfdallas21
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    here's my take on it: contact sky/carla of ATL now to see what their packages run (if you haven't already) and see if they are available for your Sept'10 date and how much extra will it be to travel to your location; once the contest has officially ended, wait to find out if you & Tony won it...if you guys did win - that's a no brainer but if you didn't, then I would start looking for photogs in your area (and surrounding areas) that have the same style and technique as sky/carla of ATL and do some serious price comparsions prior to making appts to meet with them...HTH! (you've probably already thought of all of this but I wanted to response back just in case you hadn't)...
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  • mycicybridemycicybride
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Contacted them. Got pricing. The number is way above what I originally thought plus factoring their travel....but still worth it if we had money to burn....ya know?  We had a vendor in mind if we didn't win that is in our budget who is really good.  He did our engagement session Part II. See pix on the blog to get a good comparison of his work to theirs.  Hopefully we'll win and it will be a no brainer and we can spend what we saved on the furniture rental and lighting which I think once we do all the math is going to give us sticker shock.
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  • MIABRIDENTAMPAMIABRIDENTAMPA
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Yes, wait until the end of contest. Photography was hard for me too. I went through like 3 photogs before my final decision. I say you can save on other things, but please please do not skimp on photography, its one of the most important aspects of your wedding. BTW I love Sky & Carla, they have a unique style, if my wedding was in ATL they would be a top choice:) I love great photos.
    About time I updated the Bio 02-20-2010 image Siggy Challenge ://www.theknot.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers">Wedding Countdown Ticker
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  • mycicybridemycicybride
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    miabride: I feel you.  I am scared we'll spend all of this money on decor and the event will be really special and the photos will come back and I'll be like...dag I know sky and carla would have rocked it...ya know? Trust I am trying to get decor to match my inspiration pix on my blog so we are spending a fortune on that alone.  But what good is it if it doesn't get captured. In the Grain did a great job on my bpix so I know she can do it....but she ain't sky and carla.
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  • MIABRIDENTAMPAMIABRIDENTAMPA
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I know what you mean, I initially was going to go with another photog whom was budget friendly, then I was talking with my Month of Coordinator, we were discussing all the different things we would be having decor wise at the wedding, and I didnt want those memories or elements to go understated. So I bit the bullet and went with StudiobyCarmen, I also love Ross Oscar Knight and if I had the money would fly him in for a destination wedding. I notice sometimes brides decor elements be on point, but their photog of choice just does not pull through and in the end causes the day to be understated. GL with your choice........
    About time I updated the Bio 02-20-2010 image Siggy Challenge ://www.theknot.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers">Wedding Countdown Ticker
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  • mycicybridemycicybride
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This is torture.
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  • ddyoungddyoung member
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Awww I'm struggling with photographer too. But unless you find someone else who is going to have the same style as Sky/Carla it seems like you are going to regret it. I would look at total budget and see if there are some extras you can cut out to offset it. The daddy's girl in me says to go for Sky + Carla if you feel so strongly about them. You said it would be worth it. Just look at it as if you are paying for a lifetime gift.  So instead of $2300 for your wedding day, its $2300 over the life of your marriage (because you will have those pics forever, as will your children, grandchildren, etc.), and since I just declared you will live for 100 more years thats only $230 a year :-) I know thats far fetched but I don't want you to live with the WHAT IFs (if you don't win the contest of course). GOOD LUCK! Keep us updated...
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  • ddyoungddyoung member
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    i meant $23 a year!!!! What was I thinking lol
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  • BlkswnnBlkswnn
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Well I voted for you and so I hope you win the contest.  I would see if there is someone local who can shoot the same style as Carla, if not I would go for sky and carla because that will make your heart content and it seems as if that is who you really want.  I say don't settle especially on photography, your photos will last a lifetime.  Maybe you can save in other areas to help compensate some for sky and carla fees.
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  • MrClintonsFirstLady09MrClintonsFirstLady09
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ok Ci, do I need to step in slap you one time to get you focused lol? We talk constantly about photographers and your vision for your wedding. So I know what you are going thru but I have to tell you, if you can win photography for free and have money to place on something else you want in your wedding (like the decor you have a vision for) then I say go with that option (and this is provided you and Tony win). I took a look at Sky & Carla's work. They are phenominal I agree. I see why you have raved about them all afternoon. But the last thing you want to do is blow your budget entirely like that especially if financially it is a strain. I agree with Alf and say find a reputible phtographer in your area that has an impeccible reputation for photography and share with them your vision of what you want and I am sure they can make it happen. you do not have to feel like because if you win this package your pics will be just mediocre. You will be surprised that sometimes free does not always mean a bad thing. You have from now until next year to embed your vision into this photoprapher's head. She did your b-pix superbly and you guys were just going on a whim. It is up to you to believe she can bring your vision into fruition. JMHO
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  • derekandtiffaniderekandtiffani
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Cicy, Who have you looked @ in RDU/Greensboro? I may have some suggestions for you.
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  • KimRhoneKimRhone
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    See if you can negotiate the price of the packages with the photographer that you really want. I understand that you don't want to spend so much money but your wedding photos last forever. So see what you can negotiate and work from there. GL!
    Lovin Kimmie
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  • mycicybridemycicybride
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanx y'all.  This is a toughy. We really do want to win the free photog (for obvious budgetary reasons). In the Grain did my b-pix and I can't lie she did a great job. I am crushing on All Star photog (skya+carla) something terrible. 10 more days until the outcome of the contest. Hope my crush goes away soon.**derekandtiffani**: Do you have some suggestions of Gboro photogs if we don't win.
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  • bigshow2882bigshow2882
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    BLOW THE BUDGET!!!! Lol!!! Just Kidding! You already know that I am bias! I heart Sky and Carla. I say if you win the Photographer that it is a no brainer, but if not go with what your heart desires. You only get married once! (Hopefully :-) ) More than likely there is a great Photographer just hidding in G-boro. GL on your decision.
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  • KimRhoneKimRhone
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I just realized that I am having the same dilemma. I hope you win the contest because that would help 1 of us. lol
    Lovin Kimmie
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  • Deidra123Deidra123
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This isn't the practical answer but hey, what the heck, I'm a leo. LOL.  I say just go with Sky and Carla.  In 5 years, whose going to care how much the photographer was.  They *can't* be that much.  Negotiate the price down as much as possible (ok, that's the lawyer in me).  Times are hard, everything is negotiable.  Then, go for it.  So you go over your wedding budget by a couple of thousand dollars.  So what?  It won't be the end of the world, right?  And you'll have pics that you love.  I'm having a similar dilemma with money.  My FH and I are having our wedding and reception at a country club on a golf course.  We started out saying it would be small but now I realize that it can't be as small as we wanted b/c I can't even get close friends and first cousins there!  So, I'm now trying to figure out how I'm going to go to FH and suggest that we increase the number of guests by about 20-30...to the tune of $60 a head. (We're having a sit down dinner with dual meat option, cocktail reception, etc.) This is not going to be cute.  But I only plan to get married once and I want these people there.  Plus, I just ordered my dress and these people have to be there to see it. LOL.Go for the photographer that you love.  Money is just money.  It's meant to be spent.  And what better way than on beautiful wedding pics.That's my little two cents. :)
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  • tippytoe1981tippytoe1981 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had experience with this.  I fell in love with this one photographer's pictures, but I just could not get over the price.  it was sooo expensive.  But if we would've booked him, it would have made the 1,000 other small expenses that add up closer to the wedding date so much more not affordable.  most importantly, if i would've been stressed about the costs, it would've probably caused a lot of tension leading up to the wedding.  i knew i wanted a photographer, but no, i didn't want it if i couldn't afford it. so i just went with a photographer who i knew was a professional but she had work that i thought was "ok".  anyway, after the wedding, we looked at the pro pics and they blew me away! i'm not sure if she had new software or a new camera, but i loved our pics and I was totally satisfied and we stayed in budget!  you only get married once, so don't blow your budget on that.   you have to foot the bill and tension with the FH is not worth it. there are soooo many more things that will make your day go great. also, if you really want the expensive photographers, why don't you and your FH take pictures for a "trash the dress" session or something with the people who you really like!  i'm sure they won't charge you an arm and a leg for a session after your wedding day.  just put on your gown, get all dolled up, get hubby in a good suit, and totally express yourself and have the photoshoot that you want for a cheaper price since prices are usually lower for non-wedding events.  HTH
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