How do you say No??

Just be honest. If you tell them that you found a better price and are going with someone else, they can cross you off their list and move on. Don't worry about it, vendors get no's all the time. The actually appreciate the honestly rather than voicemail. They'll want to know where they're losing business to, so that if they see a trend they can modify their marketing. It's business.

I always like it when a bride that didn't choose me let me know they went with someone else. I feel like that is nice that they got back to me.

Do you usually prefer a call or e-mail?

Well, it can be either, but the ones that haven't booked me have gotten back to me via email. I'm more of an email person, though. Now, keep in mind, I'm not one of those vendors that constantly contacts people. I don't bother my brides to be if I don't hear back from them.

I would just send them a simple email that states: Dear ___, thank you for your interest in being our ____. However, we have decided to go in another direction.

For your friend I would say: Dear ____, Thank you so much for your generous offer to photograph our wedding. It means a lot to me that you were willing to give me such a good deal. I would really rather just have you there as my friend though. I feel that if you are stuck behind the camera lens all day we won't get to have any fun together. Thanks again for the offer though and I will keep you in mind for anyone I could reffer to you.

Maybe not that exactly but you get the point.

Thanks everyone! that has helped! The vendor has been IMing me all night on AIM as well. I'll send out an e-mail in a little bit.

Oh no, that's terrible! I don't know why they do that! I feel like if I am meant to shoot someone's wedding, it will happen. No need to push them into it and bug them. I've also told other photographers that take my workshops that they shouldn't do that, either.

Simply say "I appreciate your offer or I appreciate your time, but I have decided to go with something else"

If they keep, at this point, harassing you block them..... if you can do that?

You need to tell them you already chose someone else. You are wasting their time when they have to continually follow up. Let them take you off their contact list.

And about the photographer deal- hire a profesional! It doesn't matter how fancy the camera. It's the art and eye of the person behind it. And your guests won't be snapping pics during the ceremony! They won't do posed portraits shots afterwards. And I would never hire a photog for $200! That's way too little. If that's all they are charging, then they must not be very good or have alot of experience.

Tell them that you have a family member who referred you (and is paying for) a particular service. Thank them for their time and tell them that you will refer them to other friends when the occasion rises. Times are hard now and vendors are desperate to book work. But you should not be bombarded with calls. You be as polite as you can, but cut to the chase. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings - it's the way of the world.

A word of advice on the cameras. Only allow two people to be present with cameras during your ceremony. One on the aisle and the other at the front by altar. When you have four or five people shooting, it's noisy and takes away from your precious moments. Not only that, flash will be going off and you'll both blink so much that all your photos will have your eyes closed. Designate two main shooters and the rest can work way in the background. Believe me, you will thank me for this.

Best of luck to you and your beloved!

Lise' Ramos, Event Planner

I agree with what Meg said. I wasn't going to get into the whole why you should hire a pro debacle, but just because they have fancy cameras, does not mean they can produce quality images. Weddings are one of the toughest things to photograph, and I have heard of so many people regretting having their friends/family take their wedding images for them. If the photos are not a priority to you, then by all means do, but remember, the photos are the only thing that remains after the wedding that show all the joys, laughter and other emotions of the day.

PLEASE hire a photographer. The best pics I've taken at a wedding are on the dance floor...not during the ceremony. In fact, many a wedding I haven't been able to get a single pic of the ceremony due to the lighting, especially in a church.

As far as letting people know, just tell them you decided to go with someone else. Heck it may work in your favor. I called my hair & makeup gal to tell her I was going with a cheaper package and she offered to match the price and still come to the hotel. The other package would have us going to the salon instead. So it worked out so well and I saved about $350!

Well my friend is actually a pro. He's not just doing it for fun. He's done weddings and offering a deal for me. Thank you for the responses!

Sharon, if your friend is a pro then I say definitely hire him!! I am right there with you on the feeling bad when saying no as well!! So thanks for posting this! It has helped me, too!

He has been only doing it for about 5-6 years. But here's the site:

http://dashrain.redbubble.com

I am already going over my budget as is so I was tempted to go with him. I am just so tired of all the wedding expenses!

I have to agree with Brian here. While his photos are interesting, his forte is not wedding photography. I wouldn't count on him to capture my day. But, I also wouldn't rely on friends and family to capture anything either. It important to remember that they will be seated in an audience, with no clear views of you, and your faces for the ceremony, and no training. After your wedding day, all that remains for you, and for future generations is the photos. I would also urge you to reorganize and leave some room for a modest photo budget. You won't regret it.

I'll say it- you know I don't care.

Don't hire this guy for your wedding! He is a good photographer, and has a decent eye- but his wedding pictures leave alot to be desired.

I think he has the talent, and has skill to take good shots- but he certianly lacks the experience in the wedding department. Looking at the 1 wedding on his website (which is a huge red flag that there is only 1- with 9 pictures), I wasn't impressed. It almost looked like he got lucky and caught soem cute shots of a little girl. There are NO pictures of the ceremony itself, or the bride and groom or the family, or the reception, etc. Those are bare essentuals for a professional wedding photographer to showcase.

I think you'll seriously regret it, and possible have resentment when his pictures aren't the quality you want.

Thanks for all the input, guys! I won't go with him. I am still thinking if I should have a photographer. i was going to do a photo booth if I didn't do a photographer.

Still thinking...

I have to agree with @Brian, Analy and Meghan. It wasn't until I started looking for photographers that I realized what goes into them! You will not regret for one moment having your day captured by a pro!