Weddingbee boards

So this is half local, half more general question.  I'm getting married next September and trying to decide between the photographer who shot our friend's wedding (http://www.kylehepp.com/kyle-hepp-photography/) and using someone local.  The advantages of the friend's photographer, is that I know I like her personality and work well with her, and her pictures are somewhat nontraditional but very good.  She'd be flying in for the wedding (she works out of both the US and Chile), but her rates are comparable to what we're looking at for other photographers in the area.

I'd be totally psyched up to work with her, but I know there's a lot of really talented Bay Area and Monterey-area photographers and there's definitely advantages to working with someone who knows the area / doesn't have to travel.  We've already contacted a few and my mom got so psyched up about this whole photography thing that she's offered to pay for photography.  I am feeling really fortunate about this, since having someone who takes interesting, well-focused, well-colored and lit shots is really important to me.  Our budget is probably somewhere around 5-6k.

So two questions - 1 am I crazy for wanting to work with Kyle, the traveling photographer? I did find out that if we use her, we will be able to take engagement pictures when she's in the area next month. and 2 what local photographers should I be looking at?  We want someone who is non-traditional but not extremely artsy.  I tend to be very self conscious in front of a camera and really want a lot of candids, not so much posed family portaits.

@Miss OceanBeach SF:  Thanks for replying.  I've pretty much decided to go with the person my friend used (and have had my decision validated by how excited friends who've seen their pictures are), but you actually suggested the people who were next on my list.  They have some great pictures and seemed very friendly and responsive when emailing.  I think you'll have some great pictures.  :-D