Just got engaged in gorgeous Yosemite over Valentine's weekend :), and we've decided to get married there too.
Now in the process of researching a photographer (and florist, and hair dresser, and cake maker, and... ) in the area. I don't know where to begin. I found what might be good advice, and might be sales blah-blah on www.duendephoto.com.
Anyone have some advice for how to even get started on destination vendors, especially photography? It's such a beautiful place that I want the photos to be really special, y'know?
Congrats on your engagement! And good luck with the details of planning a wedding out there - I haven't been there yet but I hope to go soon!
Our photographer was AMAZING!! He and his wife are a team, and they are based in the Bay Area but do travel, and Yosemite isn't that far away! He is Joel Flory (wife is Cara) and his website is: http://www.joelflory.com . You can also check out a slideshow of some of our pics (we got married at Garre Winery in Livermore) at http://clients.joelflory.com/nigelandjackie .
I'm doing a destination wedding, and I've been relying a lot on a dvice from a friend that did a wedding, with no local contacts, in Tahoe. I would say if you can make sure you get trials as much as possible on things you really care about. esp since you're not around as much to talk to vendors. Also if you have time to meet with your vendors make sure it's clear you're looking to see a sample or trial, because it seems a lot of vendors don't think you need to look at a sample.
Also don't necessarily rely on vendors recommended by your location's coordinator. It's a good place to start, but problem is usually they recommend people they like working with, or that suits their personal taste. It doesn't mean it's the right person for you, or actually the best in the industry. That's why I feel like recommendations from close friends are better, because they really know your preferences.
For the photographer, it's a free for all if you're willing hire someone who would travel. I think most photogaphers are willing to travel if you ask. But you'd have to decide whether you want one or two. Because you're probably going to have to pay travel fees, some plan on bringing an assistant even if you only have one photographer. Fyi, some photographers would be willing to shoot more, i.e. rehearsal dinner, trash-the-dress, etc without additional fees if they're traveling. Our photographer is saraheinrichs.com, and she does a lot of travel phtography as well as weddings. I have a couple other names, if would like more to research.
Agree that once you identify a location, they will most likely have a preferred vendor list. It's a good place to start, you can view their work via their web sites to get a feel, but sometimes, they are on the list because the venue likes working with them and might not be a fit for you.
Does your budget allow for hiring a local wedding coordinator that could be your point person on vendor selection?
Most photogs will travel, and the extra few hundred dollars you pay for their traevl accommodations is worth it if you trust them to capture the images you want from your exciting day.
We are using Francis Baker, who is out of SF, but I know he travels. I cannot reccommend him enough! He is incredible and just fun to be around. He just did our e-pics, and I was blown away. good luck!
PS: my aunt got married at Tenaya Lodge.. gorgeous!
You'd easily be able to get bay area photographers to travel to Yosemite (max of 4 hours away) as well as SoCal people (~6 hours). Most of the time, you just need to be prepared to pay travel expenses (hotel, mileage) and you'll have no problem finding someone at all.
Offhand I can't recall specific names of vendors, but I've had quite a few friends married at the chapel as well as the Ahwahnee. All were from the bay area and brought people with them with no trouble at all.
Yosemite is an aweswome place to get married! Congratulations, and I hope that everything goes as well for you as it did for us. We stayed at the Ahwahnee, and everything was perfect- the accomodations, catering, everything. We booked a fabulous wedding photographer from the Bay Area, Mike Danen. Our photographs are unbelievable! We are so happy, and our friends and relatives were blown away. Mike has a website at: http://www.mikedanen.com
My photographer Joel Maus is great! Your Yosemite location will definitely be captured beautifully by him. I know he has traveled all over...Spain, Mexico, etc. Most photographers just ask that you also pay their travel expenses (flight etc.) but you would have to ask him about the details exactly. He is located in Southern California so not too far to travel. Check out his website www.emausphoto.com He is seriously such an amazing photographer and a really great guy to work with too. Good luck finding all of your other vendors as well. Yosemite is so beautiful, your wedding will be awesome.
I really liked my photographer. His price was reasonable; I got 2 photographers, an engagement shoot, coverage for the wedding, and two dvd's with photos for the engagement and the wedding. The best part though was his style. He really knew how to capture the story of the wedding. I still look back at my photos and still feel that moment in time. He does destination weddings too. Check out his website http://www.blogjerry.com/
Has anyone ever used or heard of http://www.dubnoffphotography.com? He seems to be a Bay Area husband/wife team, but there's a nice looking Yosemite wedding on here.
I've been looking at a lot of local (to Yosemite) photographer's sites, and I'm just not seeing the quality I want. It sounds like you've all had good experiences with your photographers from either the Bay Area or L.A., as long as you're willing to pay travel & hotel expenses? Woof.
You will have a wedding so close to San Francisco - a home of world class wedding photographers. DON'T even bother to look at Yosemite locals before you at least checked out all San Francisco options.
Help, Bees!
Just got engaged in gorgeous Yosemite over Valentine's weekend :), and we've decided to get married there too.
Now in the process of researching a photographer (and florist, and hair dresser, and cake maker, and... ) in the area. I don't know where to begin. I found what might be good advice, and might be sales blah-blah on www.duendephoto.com.
Anyone have some advice for how to even get started on destination vendors, especially photography? It's such a beautiful place that I want the photos to be really special, y'know?
Thanks!
posted by BeaThompson 3 posts 7 months agoCongrats on your engagement! And good luck with the details of planning a wedding out there - I haven't been there yet but I hope to go soon!
Our photographer was AMAZING!! He and his wife are a team, and they are based in the Bay Area but do travel, and Yosemite isn't that far away! He is Joel Flory (wife is Cara) and his website is: http://www.joelflory.com . You can also check out a slideshow of some of our pics (we got married at Garre Winery in Livermore) at http://clients.joelflory.com/nigelandjackie .
HTH!
posted by nigelsbride 71 posts 7 months agoI'm doing a destination wedding, and I've been relying a lot on a dvice from a friend that did a wedding, with no local contacts, in Tahoe. I would say if you can make sure you get trials as much as possible on things you really care about. esp since you're not around as much to talk to vendors. Also if you have time to meet with your vendors make sure it's clear you're looking to see a sample or trial, because it seems a lot of vendors don't think you need to look at a sample.
Also don't necessarily rely on vendors recommended by your location's coordinator. It's a good place to start, but problem is usually they recommend people they like working with, or that suits their personal taste. It doesn't mean it's the right person for you, or actually the best in the industry. That's why I feel like recommendations from close friends are better, because they really know your preferences.
For the photographer, it's a free for all if you're willing hire someone who would travel. I think most photogaphers are willing to travel if you ask. But you'd have to decide whether you want one or two. Because you're probably going to have to pay travel fees, some plan on bringing an assistant even if you only have one photographer. Fyi, some photographers would be willing to shoot more, i.e. rehearsal dinner, trash-the-dress, etc without additional fees if they're traveling. Our photographer is saraheinrichs.com, and she does a lot of travel phtography as well as weddings. I have a couple other names, if would like more to research.
posted by cyshas 262 posts 7 months agoI don't really have anything to add, but I'm so jealous! I loved it there and it was absolutely gorgeous! Congrats!
posted by jma19 364 posts 7 months agoAgree that once you identify a location, they will most likely have a preferred vendor list. It's a good place to start, you can view their work via their web sites to get a feel, but sometimes, they are on the list because the venue likes working with them and might not be a fit for you.
Does your budget allow for hiring a local wedding coordinator that could be your point person on vendor selection?
Most photogs will travel, and the extra few hundred dollars you pay for their traevl accommodations is worth it if you trust them to capture the images you want from your exciting day.
Our photog travels and he delivered unbelievable pics of our wedding, www.thebecker.com. Another great one is www.jessicaclaire.net or www.aarondelesie.com . Good luck!
posted by SoCalBeachGirl 385 posts 7 months agoWe are using Francis Baker, who is out of SF, but I know he travels. I cannot reccommend him enough! He is incredible and just fun to be around. He just did our e-pics, and I was blown away. good luck!
PS: my aunt got married at Tenaya Lodge.. gorgeous!
posted by katiethelady 163 posts 7 months agoThank You Everyone!
Great suggestions; I haven't stopped cruising these sites for a week :)
posted by BeaThompson 3 posts 7 months agoYou'd easily be able to get bay area photographers to travel to Yosemite (max of 4 hours away) as well as SoCal people (~6 hours). Most of the time, you just need to be prepared to pay travel expenses (hotel, mileage) and you'll have no problem finding someone at all.
Offhand I can't recall specific names of vendors, but I've had quite a few friends married at the chapel as well as the Ahwahnee. All were from the bay area and brought people with them with no trouble at all.
Congrats!
posted by lemon 96 posts 7 months ago2nd lemon; actually, many photographers are willing to travel..just ask! you just have to provide the traveling costs and meals.
posted by JCM9608 466 posts 7 months agoCongrats on your engagement!
Yosemite is an aweswome place to get married! Congratulations, and I hope that everything goes as well for you as it did for us. We stayed at the Ahwahnee, and everything was perfect- the accomodations, catering, everything. We booked a fabulous wedding photographer from the Bay Area, Mike Danen. Our photographs are unbelievable! We are so happy, and our friends and relatives were blown away. Mike has a website at: http://www.mikedanen.com
Good Luck!
Meredith
posted by mHoang 1 posts 7 months agoMy photographer Joel Maus is great! Your Yosemite location will definitely be captured beautifully by him. I know he has traveled all over...Spain, Mexico, etc. Most photographers just ask that you also pay their travel expenses (flight etc.) but you would have to ask him about the details exactly. He is located in Southern California so not too far to travel. Check out his website www.emausphoto.com He is seriously such an amazing photographer and a really great guy to work with too. Good luck finding all of your other vendors as well. Yosemite is so beautiful, your wedding will be awesome.
posted by hroper22 40 posts 7 months agoI really liked my photographer. His price was reasonable; I got 2 photographers, an engagement shoot, coverage for the wedding, and two dvd's with photos for the engagement and the wedding. The best part though was his style. He really knew how to capture the story of the wedding. I still look back at my photos and still feel that moment in time. He does destination weddings too. Check out his website http://www.blogjerry.com/
Good luck with all your wedding plans.
posted by mm2206 1 posts 7 months agoHi Bees~
Thanks so much for you advice & help :)
Has anyone ever used or heard of http://www.dubnoffphotography.com? He seems to be a Bay Area husband/wife team, but there's a nice looking Yosemite wedding on here.
I've been looking at a lot of local (to Yosemite) photographer's sites, and I'm just not seeing the quality I want. It sounds like you've all had good experiences with your photographers from either the Bay Area or L.A., as long as you're willing to pay travel & hotel expenses? Woof.
-Bea
posted by BeaThompson 3 posts 6 months agoWow...
You will have a wedding so close to San Francisco - a home of world class wedding photographers. DON'T even bother to look at Yosemite locals before you at least checked out all San Francisco options.
http://www.benchrisman.com
http://www.genehiga.com
http://www.iqphoto.com
and this ius a short list...
Yossemite is a wonderful place to get married but open your eyes!
Blance
posted by blance 1 posts 4 months ago