Hello Ladies. I'm planning my June wedding from P'Cola but getting married in So Il. I have met some great vendors down here that have really helped me out and would be happy to share.
Has anyone used photographer Ursula Graham out of Pensacola? Her work looks great - comparable to others I've spoken with who charge twice as much - but she's very young (21) and sounded it on the phone. (I.E. knew she had liability insurance but didn't know how much, etc.)
I haven't heard of her before. (Which is a little odd because I have gone to all the bridal shows etc.) She is young, and its true, her blog does look good. MAKE SURE you get the link to look through an ENTIRE WEDDING's photos. If she is posting 5-10 pics of a wedding, and the other 700 look blah, not such a great deal. My brother and sister-in-law got a deal from Patsy Brown and THEY look like they steped off a magazine! BEAUTIFUL!!! The other guests however looked TERRIBLE!!! There is not one picture where the rest of the family or friends dont look older than they are. And her rates for the parents albums were OUTRAGEOUS!! (This was several years ago so things may have changed - and I am NOT trying to dog on her -just telling you what to look for.)
Also, DONT BE AFRAID OF CALLING PAST BRIDES and getting their input. On weddingbee alone ive read several tales of brides who didnt call b/c their personalities jived and the past work looked great... only to find out later that he/she was known to be unprofessional or obstrusive or just plain unreliable.
And as for her pricing - not bad. But make a list of everything you are going to want: Bridal Album? Parents Albums? Hours of coverage? Assistant photographer? Etc - and THEN look at what that costs. You wouldn't believe how those details can transform something from a "steal" to the same price as other great photographers.
I did A LOT of research of photographers from Pcola to Panama City, and a few elsewhere, so if you want more info, send me a message!
I'm a photographer myself, and have my own printing equipment, etc., so all I want from her is her time, expertise and a CD of images... I can do prints and albums myself. She was quite open to this, whereas most photographers are not because they can earn crazy money on prints. While my biggest splurge on this wedding is def. the photography, I also don't have $4000 to spend on it, which is what most others were asking for the amount of time I want. I will be down there at the end of the month and plan to meet with her then, and at that time will expect to see a list of previous clients who I can contact, her complete portfolio, the name, contact info and work of her backup, and her full insurance information.
I'm getting married in Grayton Beach... Anyone else have their wedding there?
hi Caroline G- you may have already found someone great, in which case, nevermind! When we were considering a wedding in the Destin/Grayton/Sandestin area, a local photographer I came across and liked was Gwynne Lamica. She was married last year and I think goes by Gwyne Mark now (http://www.gwynemarkphotography.com/)
Two others that are very good but a lot pricier are Paul Johnson (http://www.pauljohnsonphoto.com/) and Meg Baisden (http://www.megphoto.com/)
You ladies look like you are getting your specifics down pat...lol
I cannot stress enough 2 things when looking for a photographer...
1. MEET with them ... In person is great, but over the phone is ok too. You have to make sure your personalities mend together...
2. (mdarrah hit on this) Look at a "storybook" of a wedding.... 100 images at minimum that tell the brides big day. Make sure you see all the events in there - from start to finish !
I am getting married in p'cola, but i live in north alabama. My parents moved there 3 years ago, and I am not sure where to start. I am importing a photographer, and I have found a hair salon I like. Any suggestions on chair rentals, bands, and suit rentals????
Hello Ladies. I'm planning my June wedding from P'Cola but getting married in So Il. I have met some great vendors down here that have really helped me out and would be happy to share.
posted by HeatherB 4 months agoYayyyyyyy! A Pensacola board! Better late than never- I am getting married on the 24th!
Hope there are a lot other brides out there!
posted by NiftyBa 4 months agoI'm in Pcola and planning my Panama City wedding for April of next year. Did any of yall go to the Southern Wedding Style premire?
http://www.swsmag.net/
Its pretty cool, and its a group of local girls.
posted by mdarrah 4 months agoHas anyone used photographer Ursula Graham out of Pensacola? Her work looks great - comparable to others I've spoken with who charge twice as much - but she's very young (21) and sounded it on the phone. (I.E. knew she had liability insurance but didn't know how much, etc.)
posted by CarolineG 2 months agoI haven't heard of her before. (Which is a little odd because I have gone to all the bridal shows etc.) She is young, and its true, her blog does look good. MAKE SURE you get the link to look through an ENTIRE WEDDING's photos. If she is posting 5-10 pics of a wedding, and the other 700 look blah, not such a great deal. My brother and sister-in-law got a deal from Patsy Brown and THEY look like they steped off a magazine! BEAUTIFUL!!! The other guests however looked TERRIBLE!!! There is not one picture where the rest of the family or friends dont look older than they are. And her rates for the parents albums were OUTRAGEOUS!! (This was several years ago so things may have changed - and I am NOT trying to dog on her -just telling you what to look for.)
Also, DONT BE AFRAID OF CALLING PAST BRIDES and getting their input. On weddingbee alone ive read several tales of brides who didnt call b/c their personalities jived and the past work looked great... only to find out later that he/she was known to be unprofessional or obstrusive or just plain unreliable.
And as for her pricing - not bad. But make a list of everything you are going to want: Bridal Album? Parents Albums? Hours of coverage? Assistant photographer? Etc - and THEN look at what that costs. You wouldn't believe how those details can transform something from a "steal" to the same price as other great photographers.
I did A LOT of research of photographers from Pcola to Panama City, and a few elsewhere, so if you want more info, send me a message!
posted by mdarrah 2 months agoI'm a photographer myself, and have my own printing equipment, etc., so all I want from her is her time, expertise and a CD of images... I can do prints and albums myself. She was quite open to this, whereas most photographers are not because they can earn crazy money on prints. While my biggest splurge on this wedding is def. the photography, I also don't have $4000 to spend on it, which is what most others were asking for the amount of time I want. I will be down there at the end of the month and plan to meet with her then, and at that time will expect to see a list of previous clients who I can contact, her complete portfolio, the name, contact info and work of her backup, and her full insurance information.
I'm getting married in Grayton Beach... Anyone else have their wedding there?
posted by CarolineG 2 months agohi Caroline G- you may have already found someone great, in which case, nevermind! When we were considering a wedding in the Destin/Grayton/Sandestin area, a local photographer I came across and liked was Gwynne Lamica. She was married last year and I think goes by Gwyne Mark now (http://www.gwynemarkphotography.com/)
Two others that are very good but a lot pricier are Paul Johnson (http://www.pauljohnsonphoto.com/) and Meg Baisden (http://www.megphoto.com/)
posted by mssweettea 2 months agoYou ladies look like you are getting your specifics down pat...lol
I cannot stress enough 2 things when looking for a photographer...
1. MEET with them ... In person is great, but over the phone is ok too. You have to make sure your personalities mend together...
2. (mdarrah hit on this) Look at a "storybook" of a wedding.... 100 images at minimum that tell the brides big day. Make sure you see all the events in there - from start to finish !
Good luck on finding all your big day vendors !
Jen - BarefootSnapshots.com
posted by barefootsnapshots 1 month agoI am getting married in p'cola, but i live in north alabama. My parents moved there 3 years ago, and I am not sure where to start. I am importing a photographer, and I have found a hair salon I like. Any suggestions on chair rentals, bands, and suit rentals????
aderhsk
posted by aderhsk 1 month agoRAE LEYTHAM!!!!!!
HIGHLY recommend Rae Leytham!!! She's my photog and her pictures are to die for!
http://www.raeleytham.net/
my blog posts about her:
http://barefootstargazer.blogspot.com/2008/08/vendor-bender-photography.html
http://barefootstargazer.blogspot.com/2008/08/photography-in-moment_06.html
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Oh - and for cake - BETTY WEBER!!! 850-477-1745
These were the top recommendations from the Pensacola Yatch Club's wedding coordinator:
DJ:
A DJ to Go - Ron and Sheila Ralph 850-941-1538
Flowers:
Southern Floral Traditions - Faith Pendo 850-453-8608
Kebbie Hollingsworth 850-457-4515
Fiore - Shannon Murphy Pallin 850-232-7354
Cakes:
Betty Weber 850-477-1745
Eleanor Buskirk 850-455-1880
Hope some of that helps!
Rae leytham ROCKS! =)
posted by mdarrah 1 month agoHey, you mistyped her website - it's .com, not .net
posted by CarolineG 1 month agowww.raeleytham.com <---website
www.raeleytham.net <--blog!
Go - look - enjoy - wipe drool off keyboard.
=)
posted by mdarrah 1 month agoSo sorry - the .net wasn't loading for me all morning and I thought it was an error!
posted by CarolineG 1 month ago