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Oh and I know that that was a long and rambling post. I'm super tired, but I had to get it off my chest and ask for WB advice.
Wedding planning is stressful huh? I think that it would be best to not put all of that extra stress on yourself and just wait a little bit before putting down the deposit. You shouldn't feel rushed into doing anything that you aren't ready to do. And...maybe she is just saying that someone else is interested to get you to get your deposit sooner? Good luck!!!
I think you need to meet with the photographer as soon as possible. Your in-person chemistry is really important, as is your need to look at albums of her work. You need to view complete albums, not individual pictures, since even a mediocre photographer can occasionally take a good picture. I would email her back to demonstrate that you are serious, and set up an appointment as soon as possible. Also, she might be amenable to splitting the deposit and taking half the deposit now, and half next month when you were planning on paying her. And yes, as the above poster noted, vendors do sometimes push you into putting down deposits by claiming that others are interested. It's a tough risk to take, since they might be telling you the truth and you might lose the vendor (my SIL lost her dream photographer after she needed to reschedule their meeting).
Have you talked to them on the phone? I've only been able to do that, since I'm planning long distance, but I gelled really well with my photographer, and I'm thrilled to book her, even without meeting her.
Also, is it possible to make an exception this once with your credit cards? I hate to even suggest that, but it is an exceptional situation. If that's really not an option, I say eat ramen. The photos are more important, or would be to me. 
Here's the thing, when I was looking for a photographer, I judged their website before their photos. Sounds weird, but if they have a simple HTML website, their photos didn't turn out to be as good or as "popular" About the photobooth, I have found A LOT of DJ's that can do the photobooth, for what it sounds like, cheaper than your photographer. If you're already feeling rushed and uncomfortable about this, maybe you should have a little faith and just breathe.
We're not even having a photographer at our reception so maybe that could cut back on costs too (we're having friends with decent cameras go around and snap photos - that way you don't need to worry about copy right and do what you want to them).
Good luck and remember to breathe!
Well... it seems like someone is just asking about your date and not definitively booking it.
I know that some people use this technique as a way of putting pressure on potential clients to close a deal. I think you have the right and responsibility (to yourselves) to see who gels best with you and who will bring out the best of your personalities in photos.
I've also found that the few wedding decisions I've rushed into (chalkboards!) left me repenting in leisure... so I'm a big fan of no sudden moves (unless they were extrordinarily well researched, thought out, pro and con list made, etc).
What does your gut feeling tell you about this decision?
@professorbee~ I've look at three of her complete weddings, so I know that I like her work. It's not earth shattering like Jose Villa, but it's good. She doesn't do all sorts of cool poses, but I'm cool with that.
@DG~I don't think she's putting pressure on me, but maybe? She seems really nice and upfront. We've exchanged numerous emails and have similar personalities.
ARGH. Why is this so hard. I don't think I was expecting this to be hard.
Definitely at least talk over the phone with her first...it is extremely important that you're comfortable with them. If it seems solid after that, perhaps book then. Can you get together with the other three photographers now? If you really feel the first is for you, and you were planning on booking at the end of September - then using the card would make sense to lock in what's best for you....we're only a few very short weeks away - so then use the money then to pay it off. Of course the photog could be trying to push things along, much in the way the venue could by having preferred photogs as well. If you're planning on booking soon anyway, just do your phone, or meeting when possible homework, then decide. Definitely don't feel rushed though...
IF this is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">absolutely the photog you want:
Could you work out a deal? Explain you really want the date, give maybe half the deposit instead - as a good faith gesture? Then maybe you can live off mac-n-cheese instead of ramen and pay the other half of the deposit as planned?
Could you maybe pay the deposit in installments? $500 one week, $500 two weeks later, and then $500 in September? If your photographer is willing to do that, then you won't feel the big crunch all at once.
I was going to say, what if you signed on to do installments? I thought that was pretty normal?
From the perspective of someone who lives with a wedding photographer, they kind of have to work this way. They get inquiries all the time (especially about popular dates during peak season!) and when they have your date on "hold" while you think it over, if they get another inquiry they give you first dibs. If you don't book then they need to keep their options open and meet with another prospective client. I know from the bride's perspective it kind of sucks, but from the vendor's point of view, he or she often has really excited prospective clients who often end up not booking for one reason or another. They need to be meeting with clients in order to book up those dates.
This happens to Mr. S a lot and no matter how much he may or may like someone he has met with, if he gets another inquiry for a date being held, he has to move forward with the next person if the initial person for that date can't/won't book at that time. It's business.
It doesn't sound like your photographer is doing anything out of the ordinary, but if you don't feel comfortable or ready to make that decision, just chance it. If she ends up getting booked, then it wasn't mean to be. And in a month when you're ready to put that deposit down if she's still available, then that's great. Either way, you would have made the decision that was right for you at this time!
Kate, if you are getting married in Seaside, Fl...I am using a great photographer out of Pensacola, who is less expensive(including travel to Mobile). This is her website:
http://www.gritzphotography.net/
I have lost a few vendors so far and oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be. Maybe you will find someone better and less expensive???
Do you definitely know you want this photographer? If so pay the deposit. Live off ramen. Your pictures will be with you forever but you will only have to skimp for one month.
I would suggest meeting with the photographer as well! Or at least speaking with them over the phone. As a wedding professional, I do agree with stiletto as well. We ALWAYS get calls about dates that are potentially booked. It seems every potential client that I have is asking about a date that is already booked or on hold!!
Good luck! I would suggest that you maybe schedule your meetings for this month and then book next month as usual, but I also agree that if you LOVE the photographer, book them, if not, you will be kicking yourself after your wedding.
I think we've decided to wait. I know that this is what she has to do, so there are no hard feelings. It just sucks! :) Everything happens for a reason, so we'll see next month when I go down there. I really want to meet them in person. One thing that has kinda been bugging me in the back of my mind is that she already told me that she wouldn't be able to come meet me on my planning day no matter when it was and that I could come to her studio on my way into town. She lives about 30 minutes away from my venue and has a small child, but now that I think about it...I'm paying you 3k and you won't come meet with me? I think we're better off waiting and seeing what happens. I love her, I really do, but who knows....maybe I'll love the next person even more!
I think you made the right decision. It's not worth squeezing your real life for a wedding photographer.
I agree that you made the right decision... good for you for not getting pressured into making a deposit you weren't ready to make!
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What is it about me and photographers today? I just got an email from the photographer I really want {that does the photobooth} and somebody is asking about my date. She had agreed to email me if somebody inquired about it. I had wanted to wait until next month to pay the deposit if possible, since we use cash for everything in life. We only have one credit card and we use it for business and travel only. Part of the agreement about doing the vr is that nothing would go on a credit card. So, we have the $1500, but it would make the rest of the month tight and that makes the hubs nervous. He says I can go ahead and sign the contract, but I hate to feel rushed and I don't want to make him feel uncomfy. I'm supposed to have a planning day at my venue at the end of September and meet with 3 photographers. I was planning on making my decision after meeting everybody in person. We gel in email really well, but in person could be a totally different thing. Another issue is that she is much cheaper then my other choices, so even if we're saving the stress now, we're adding about a grand to our total in the end. Urgghhhh...what would you do?