My Wedding: In Real Time

WHAT A GOOD DAY!

In opposition to my post from the other day (see Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day) today was amazing! Well it started off with a dr.'s appointment (Fri my iron was too low, but today they said I'm perfectly fine) which went well minus the three times they had to poke me to get blood, then I came back for a work meeting about the golf tournament I'm planning. We got so much accomplished and I'm excited to know it'll keep me busy until October (right alongside the other conference I'm planning). Then I went to lunch with Kristin, which is always a delight. I love helping her plan and talking about life as a future military wife.

After that I finished work and went to Safeway to get gas (hello 3 cents cheaper per gallon!) where I had such a fabulous experience! As I rolled up I saw that they had windshield wiper liquid for sale right next to me (which I desparately needed) and I asked the attendant if I needed to get out to purchase it. He said no, that he'd do it for me with my gas. So then another attendant grabs the bottle and asks if I need it in my car. Of course! So he opens it and opens the hood of my car and pours it in for me! Then he asks me if I want it put (and I go to grab it) in my trunk! So I'm like SURE and he puts it in for me! Talk about amazing customer service!!!

But the best part of my day was deciding on a photographer. Guillaume and I, well mainly just me, have been working on getting quotes from some amazing photographers for our wedding. Knowing all that's out there, I had some really high expectations. And when I found that some of them were disappointing me by being out of my budget, I almost gave up hope on finding one I could afford--just like my wedding venue situation. I didn't want the normal guy from our small town but it was looking like I might be doomed to use him. Until I got a quote which really sealed the deal. I will confirm the photographer after I tell the others we're not using them, but it was AMAZING!

The tip I can give you guys for getting the photographer you want, is doing just as I did:

1. Figure out exactly what you need, and what you want.
2. Come up with exactly how much you can spend on your photography. Be honest with yourself here.
3. Find a list of photographers you really like, who you think are honestly within your budget (the high and low ends). This prevents disappointment later.
4. Email each of those photographers listing exactly what you want, and what you'd like if they can make it work and your budget (or really the amount you're not willing to go over). It lends to photographers working hard to meet your budget and give you all they can to sweeten the deal.
5. Lay back and wait for the results. When you get the quotes, if there are things you'd like to change or some questions you'd like to ask them about go for it! Do not be afraid to get exactly what you want. This is your wedding and you don't want to say ok to something you're not ok with. See if they're willing to make any alterations.
6. Pick the offer that's the best in the end! If you're like me, you'll get lucky and one will just be so good there's no way you could turn it down.

Happy photographer hunting!

~A