Okay, dilemma might be a bit of a strong word, but still. We get married in 17 months. A long time to go, I know.
We were looking at photographers and we came across one who we both *love*, like, no one else will do, basically. So I immediately sent him a message. This was at the very beginning of March. He replied and said he was available (woohoo!!!) however he couldn't let me book and didn't want to waste my time as he may actually be getting married on the same day as me, they were just in the process of setting the date.
He said he would come back to me in the next day or two to let me know.
3 weeks went by and I heard nothing so I sent him a message asking how he was getting on with setting the date and just to say we would definitely want to book him if he was available.
He apologised for not coming back to me, and said he would speak to his partner this evening. I said I wasn't trying to rush him at all, just wanted to make sure he knew we were actually wanting to book and he said we have first dibs on that date after his own wedding. I said we were happy to wait for a bit and would wait to hear from him.
It's been another 3 1/2 weeks and I haven't heard anything. My question is, how long do I wait? I really, really want this guy to be our photographer but there's every chance I could wait 3 or 4 months only to find he's not available.
We have a second choice, and third choice in case 2nd can't do it either but I'm worried if I leave it until say 12, 10 months beforehand that they might not be available either. I'm a little impatient, I will admit, but I just don't know what to do and I don't want to think I'm some cow constantly chasing him to book his wedding date!
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
I don't think you are being pushy at all. I appreciate he is in the process of planning himself however, he will understand how important this is.
Drop him another line and ask the question.... As a business he should respond either way. I would personally be a little dubious about the lack of contact to be honest and just hope and prey this doesn't reflect on his work x
I hope you get the answer you want
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorSarah D
Well said Emma and have to totally agree xx
Became Mrs Duthie 7th October 2016
CommentAuthorAprilS61
I'm with Emma too. Maybe send him one more message and get straight to the point. Instead of just saying have you booked, say something like you're just sending a quick message to find out if he's booked the same date yet for his own wedding, as if he has you'll need to start looking at other other photographers. If he's not able to do it, wish him luck and ask if he has any recommendations? No harm!
How have you got on? Just say to him you need to be prepared and book someone and need to know if he is available or not. He should understand that you need to book by a certain date in order to be prepared. Let him know you need to know by a certain date, and that you'd be most upset if he was not available for it as you love his work.
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorEmily17
I'd send him a note saying the you need to start looking at other suppliers but that he's your favourite and would rather have him.
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorMyranny
Thanks ladies :) I've sent him a message and said happy to wait till beginning of June. We're going on holiday and I've got dress shopping etc. that should stop me worrying! But at that point, I'll start making appointments with other photographers I guess. I've got no issues or concerns about his work at all, he was in a newspaper or something the other day as one of the top 50 UK wedding photographers so I think he would be okay. Just sucks that out of all the photographers in the area, he's the only one who seems to have just exactly the right style! :(
Fingers crossed they hurry up and set their wedding date on a completely different day. Lol. xx
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
Fingers crossed Myranny xx
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
I know it's not June yet but have you heard anything from your photographer?? X
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorMyranny
Not a sausage! Sadly, I think I'm going to start messaging some others and meeting up with them towards the end of May. Then I'll send him a message in 4 weeks and say if he can't confirm and let me pay a deposit, we're gonna go with our second choice :( To be fair our second choice at the moment is actually about £300 cheaper, and you 2 photographers so maybe it's just a better option? xx
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
Ahhh that's a shame.... I have been thinking about you and the photographer.
Fingers crossed you have a few weeks yet it's just a shame that he can't give you an answer x
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorMyranny
Got the email we've been waiting for, the exact same day we FINALLY agreed who to use as a replacement and sent him an email, he said they've finally met with their venue and he's NOT getting married on the same day as us so can do our date! Meeting with him now on Tuesday, I'm so excited!! xx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Fingers crossed for you that you get who you want. Just make sure you get a contract with whoever you go with x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
Ahhh that's great news xxx I echo IDL, get a contract etc just in case but I'm so pleased for you xx
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorsALLY
myranny glad you got a final answer, your second option of 2 photographers sounds good as they will cover more angles with 2 people... will he have some one joining him or does he do it all on his own???
CommentAuthorMyranny
The one we want just comes by himself Appy89. I like the idea of 2 photographers, and they were cheaper, but the photos just aren't as good. We're going to ask whether or not he works with any other photographers, and what it would cost if he did. A couple of single photographers seem to offer it, but not all. Will see what he says. He guarantees a minimum of 500 photos for the day though, so that should be enough. Lol. xx
And will DEFINITELY be getting a contract and signing Ts & Cs, if not, no booking! xx
CommentAuthorRachaelB76
fantastic news that you can get your first choice. photographer is such an important part x
CommentAuthorKayleighS46
Aw yay so glad it all worked out for you, hopefully the meeting will go well too and you can finally book him!! xx
Met 2013
Propsed 2014
Will Be Mrs Brookes 2016
always & forever xxx
CommentAuthorMyranny
It went great. He showed us more photos, and they were even more amazing, and he's booked! He's emailing me over the contract, and I will be sending the deposit as soon as it's signed :) Eeeeek!!! xx
