How do you say No??

In response to your original post, honesty is the best when it comes to saying no to vendors.

In regards to hiring a pro photographer, it is something you do not want to overlook. You can not recreate your wedding day. After all your guests have gone home and the decor is cleaned up, you will only have your pictures to reflect on your magical day. You want to make sure you have the right person with the right eye to capture everything.

You only get ONE shot at this! No pun intended. I hope you can find it in your budget for a photographer! You'll Not regret it!!!

I think you should weigh the balance of what is good for you and what you will be happy with 10 years on down the line. FH and I made a list of what was important to us to have and were willing to spend more money on, vs. what we would be ok cutting corners on or skipping altogether.

I do agree that even if your friend is a photographer, wedding photography is a different field. If he wants to build a portfolio and eventually get into wedding photography, and you don't care that maybe you don't get all the "perfect" photo's - sure, try him out. But if you do, thoroughly discuss with him the shots you absolutely must have (cake cutting, first dance, other important moments) and make sure he understands that normal wedding photog's (friends or not, a professional friend is shooting mine) do not sit down and eat dinner, etc.

Beware of doing business with friends, too.

I was also considering these photographers: http://www.jolieimages.com/index.php

We're getting the engagement pictures done by them so might just go with them depending on how our pictures turn out. Brian, what's your opinion of their shots?

OK I sent out the e-mail to that officiant.. *fingers crossed*

That photographer looks a lot like the business model of "The Pros". Basically, it's like a pool. You get whoever is available, whether you like them or not. The photos they have posted look great, but you don't know who took them...I'd meet with them, ask a lot of questions, but look at other options as well.

Brian,

I simply meant that if wedding photos were something she wasn't sure she wanted to pay for and was fairly sure she wouldn't particularly care about certain pictures 10 years from now, she might as well have him do it. I understand that some people are very particular about their photo's, but I was trying to give some perspective that just because someone spends $5k on their day-of photo's doesn't mean it's for everyone.

I also meant that her friend would not partake in the partying, not that he would not eat at all. The person who is doing ours says she has more fun taking pics at friends' weddings than dancing and drinking, and we are doing a free trial session with her before committing.

Thanks for allowing me to clarify.

The way I see it.. unless this friend has a business and that is their only income I would think as a friend they would offer to do it for free or as your wedding gift. If money is the issue just explain that you are shorter on money than you expected to be and have had to make other arrangements.

I'm the same way..I get scared with anyone that has authority or some kind of title to them aha..but I do it over the phone or email but I always say sorry and thank you.

So even after I said no, I got a call and IM.. eek. creep.