Weddingbee boards

I hired Silver Screen Events it was 2200 for all day photography and video it was a pretty good deal but ,y wedding isnt till august so I cant give you my review :)

I have researched almost every photographer in Chicago!  It depends on the quality you want and budget of course, but there are plenty to choose from.  We chose to go with Miller & Miller because they take beautiful photos in the style we like (and it fits within our photography budget).  For $2400 you get an engagement shoot (not in a studio) and all day coverage with a high-res DVD of your photos.  Unlike some photogs, they don't hold the DVD for a year.  If you want them there for 10 hours or 12...your call.  They are a husband and wife team and so nice!  Perhaps you can negotiate a lower rate with any photographers including engagement pics in the package.  I could be wrong, but you might not be looking for that particular session since your wedding is in a month.  Plus, it could help get you down to what you really want to spend.  

I'll tell you this much...it is really hard to find a decent photographer in Chicago for less than $3000.  Most of the ones I came across averaged $3500-$6000.  I was so surprised to see Miller & Miller's prices upon seeing their work!  They don't have a fancy-schmancy studio in downtown Chicago to pay for--helps keep costs down :)

To answer your question about how to find the right one--we narrowed it down to 3 photographers and met with them.  Just see who you get the best feeling from because you'll be working with them all day.  Do they make you feel comfortable?  And ask to see a representation of an entire wedding so you can see all types of pics: portraits and photojournalistic, details, getting ready, ceremony, reception, etc.

We aren't adding an album to our package, although that is an option.  We can always have Miller & Miller make an album for us a year later.  Or we can use our high-res images and make one ourselves online.  Again, it depends on how much you want to spend.  We might do it later, but we just don't want to add another $1000 to our budget for an album right now.  Perhaps that will be our 1 year anniversary gift to ourselves!  

I too cannot give you a review since I am over a year out from the wedding date.  But best of luck!

Alix Klingenberg was in our top 3 too!  Also, Cathy Sunu takes great prices and I think her package was around $2000.  My favorite Chicago wedding photographer is Kevin Weinstein (maybe I'm partial because we have the same last name), but I just could not justify over $5000 for his services.  He's right up there with Olivia Leigh.

Peter Coombs is fantastic.  We're using him, and a bunch of people we know have used him too.  He's definitely in your range, and very flexible.