I need some vendor help! First, I don't know how to go about choosing a photographer-- it seems there are countless options in the raleigh area and I don't know how to sort through and make a choice. The tough part is that I don't have any particular specifications, other than the very obvious-- someone nice to work with who will take beautiful photos (but duh..). I'm sure most of the wedding photographers in the area fit that bill though, so how to choose from all those is the issue.
I'm from out of the area too (and so are friends and family), so I don't know anyone I can get a recommendation from based on their first-hand experience. That's where I'm hoping you ladies can come in and help! How did you select/choose your photographer? Do you think it's ok if I won't be able to meet with him/her in person prior to contracting? My wedding is at an odd time so I'm not too worried about availability, but I do want to book pretty soon anyway.
The other vendor help I could use is for hair and make-up. What are you ladies planning to do? Any recommendations on the best hair stylist(s) and best make-up artist(s) in the area? I'm kind of stuck on this one-- planning from out of state means I can't do any trials anytime soon, but I'm at the stage where I should be booking these things or knowing who I'd like to book at least.
Thanks for any help!
Re: Raleigh area vendor help
http://www.tellingyourstoryphotographers.com/
http://www.marthamanning.com/blog/
With both of them you get two photographers shooting your wedding
For hair and makeup, check into Elizabeth Tolley. She does beautiful work, and will travel. Her information is in the NC Bride Bio too.
I saw an ad Ashley had posted about wanting to do a shoot at the fair. I was interested. We went, did the shoot (used as our engagement photos). We loved the photos, their price was in our budget, so we booked them- never even looked anywhere else! It was really easy for us.
My advice is pick out several that you like their style and price, then go meet with them and see if you click with them!
Blog
Planning Blog
Bio(With For Sale Items)
I saw quite a few vendors that just advertised to the moon and usually they were the most expensive but their work was lackluster.
I'm using Caroline Ghetes. I searched and searched in the Raleigh area and couldn't find anyone who fit with what my fiance and I were looking for. She is based out of Charlotte but travels. Her work is like no one else I have seen in North Carolina. We actually booked with her before actually meeting with her! We exchanged tons of emails and such but we loved her work so much and her personality, it really comes through in her wording on her website's blog and her emails. We to a trip to Charlotte over Christmas and finally got to meet up with her and we were reassured with our choice. I have actually had some of my vendors tell me how excited they are that we are using them so they can have their work photographed by her.
Her work is very photojournalistic in style.
www.carolineghetes.com
I also looked at Cheyenne Shutlz, she is very well like among the knotties. Her work was really beautiful, just not really exactly what we were looking for.
Good Luck!
You ladies are great!! Thank you so much! I'll look into all your suggestions.
The other thing is that my wedding is very small so I wasn't sure if it would be awkward to have a photographer for the whole time or not, but I think we will. I guess finding someone we're comfortable around is probably the most important thing for us-- we're both pretty shy, in the whole disliking to be the center of attention type of way.
I was overwhelmed by all the choices and not sure where to begin, but I think once I devote more time to looking through each photographer's site/blog, actually getting in touch with them, etc. and focus on narrowing down my list it shouldn't be too tough!