Ok, I heard back from Shelly’s Designs, and they are completely booked up for October 6th. Bugger. The website for Flowers by Jo Ellen is still down, but I emailed her. Since yesterday, I found Michigan Wedding Solutions, which has been fairly helpful. Through that, I’ve discovered a few more websites, and am currently in the process of checking out rates and contacting them. So here are the new lists;

Flowers

• Flowers by Jo Ellen – In the process of contacting her. Emailed her, if no response, will call
• Andilou’s Floral Design
• Seivert’s Floral

Photographers

• Sandy Vander Tol
• Christine Wedding & Portrait Design
• Jonathan Thrasher – not bad, but out of our price range, I think
• Details, Etc. – They seem to be a bit more reasonably priced
• Terii Gillis – Not bad, but out of our price range I suspect

I am having severe issues with what some of these photographers charge. I was hoping to pay about $1,000 for the photographer and the photos, but that seems like maybe it’s terribly laughable. I know I want either the negatives, or a digital copy of the negatives, as I plan on putting them up on the gallery. Quite frankly, I feel if I’m paying them that much to take photos, it shouldn’t be an issue – I don’t want to pay a ransom for my wedding photos.

Ok, figured I’d post with wedding updates, most likely more for my benefit than yours. So far I have;

• the dress
• the reception hall
• the church
• the dj

We still need;

• flowers (bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages)
• invitations
• cake
• photographer

Currently I’m going through paperwork mom sent down – one of her co-workers had a daughter get married in Grand Rapids, and sent down the names and information of everyone they used. Thankfully the florist and photographer have websites, as they are fairly visual and I’d like to check out their work a little before I decide if I’m interested. The people I’m checking out right now are as follows;

• Photographer (Jonathan Thrasher)
• Terri Gillis Photography
• Sandy Vander Tol Photography
• Shelly’s Designs – supposedly she gives a great discount if you get the flowers and invites, which is convenient, as I have neither
• Flowers by Jo Ellen – currently the site is down, though

Mom is down Thursday and Friday, so I’m trying to get as many appointments in that time period as possible, so we can check things out. Hopefully I can get an appointment at Shelly’s Designs for Thursday, because if we like her that would take care of the flowers and the invites.