Destination Photographer Pricing Question

From what I have found, this is very common. You have to remember, just because you may be paying for their flight and hotel room for part of the time, they will likely have to pay for additional nights there. They will also have to pay for food & travel while there (Uber, taxi) etc. If traveling overseas, there’s also the possibility they will have to visit a physician prior to going to ensure they are healthy for the trip and have all immunizations needed for that area. Their standard rates are for a preset amount of time (ie, 6 hours, 8 hours, etc.). You will be occupying (I am assuming) multiple days of time, which means multiple days she potentially could have been working back in the United States, but will now otherwise have no income. When hiring a photographer for a destination wedding, you cannot expect them to charge you what they would have charged for one days work, when you are occupying many days of their time. Requesting someone go overseas to work at your wedding requires a ton of time, work, and preparation - any photographer you choose is going to charge a premium for that.

Did she give you a breakdown of costs as to what she is charging exactly that makes it that way?

I would ask for a breakdown of costs so you can see what that 3 to 4k includes.
Juat to give you some insight, we have paid upwards of $600 towards a kennel just for our dogs for a 5 night stay. It may be more than just a flight, a few meals and a decent hotel.

We were going back and fourth on this same issue . But we just decided to hire a photographer in that country to save the added cost of travel and etc for a US based photographer . And a separate one for the US home reception.