It all started in 2006. A girl in my sorority (a few pledge classes behind me whom I barely knew) got married and posted a link to her wedding slideshow on facebook. It was phenomenal. Being a girl who never cries, I knew something was up when the photos left me teary-eyed. Next, I found the link to the photographer's blog and took a peek from time to time. The talent behind the camera was Carmen Nauseef from Blink of an Eye Photography.
Time passed, and as it became more clear to me that my then-boyfriend now-fiancee and I were heading toward marriage, I decided that I didn't just want Carmen to photograph our wedding I had to have her photograph the wedding. Of course, I looked at other vendors, and it's probably worth mentioning that she's located in Dayton, Ohio. (We live in Chicago and the wedding is being held in Rhode Island. Oopsies.)
I sent along an email asking if she was willing to travel. She was more than willing, and aside from covering travel expenses her prices were the same as the ordinarily would be. I shared Carmen's blog with my parents and gave them her pricing information as they were the ones paying for the photography. Our agreement was this: my parents believed that talented photographers exist in the Boston/Providence area, so if my heart was set on Carmen then I could take on her travel expenses and they would pay for the actual photography service. A perfect compromise!
So yes, I'll gladly admit that flying a photographer to Providence (and Chicago for engagement photos) is probably a little over the top. But to me it is worth every penny. My argument is this: after all is said and done, the most tangible memory you have of your wedding day are the photographs. And moreover, I knew I would always have a lingering "what if" if I chose someone else.
What was your most extravagant wedding decision? Do you have a vendor you're hopelessly obsessed with?
