Post # 1
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
It’s looking like my Fiance and me are going to be having a tiny backyard wedding, only 15 people including us. We have a very small budget and we’d prefer to put the money towards a boss honeymoon instead. FI’s brother has offered to officiate so we won’t have to hire anyone in for that so the only other thing is photography. Hiring a photographer for the actual wedding looks like it will be more than our entire budget and I also think it would be awkward in that intimate of a setting to have one there. The two of us couldn’t really disappear for an hour for portraits. It’s really just going to be a short ceremony followed by lunch or dinner. I know our guests, especially my Maid/Matron of Honor, will be taking photos so I’m hoping to rely on that.
I have seen that other people in a similar situation have either gotten engagement photos or photos in their wedding clothes close to the wedding date but not actually at the wedding. I’d like professional photos but I feel like it might be weird to have professional engagement photos but no professional wedding photos. Any thoughts?
Post # 2
Member
3536 posts
Sugar bee
nbagnara : it’s really up to you to know how much your value pictures. Personally, I wish I could have a pro photog follow me around for my whole life! I love looking at photos and there’s a big difference between a (good) pro and pics friends snap on their iPhones. But only you can know what you’d be happy with.
Post # 3
Member
5954 posts
Bee Keeper
nbagnara : I had a tiny wedding like yours and I totally regret not having a photographer. Or at least getting one for some portraits of just my husband and me in our wedding clothes. Maybe it could even be on a different day, that was my plan. To go back to our wedding venue and take pix with just the 2 of us.
Post # 4
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
catskillsinjune: thanks for your comment. I would love some great photos, but because my Fiance and I are awkward in front of the camera I’m afraid I’d pay a lot for photos and wouldn’t come away with any photos that I really love.
Post # 5
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
ButternutPoppy : That’s what I’m afraid of! I don’t want to regret not getting photos and it’s not like you get a do-over. That definitely makes me think maybe I should look into at least portraits of just the two of us.
Post # 6
Member
2179 posts
Buzzing bee
Our pro photos were so worth it!! We had an enlopement wedding with no guests. The photographer plus prints cost as much as the wedding, lol. I had a coworker take my photos. He also works professionally and has done other coworkers’ weddings. However, he was cheaper than a “wedding photographer.”
We love the photos from our wedding. We were tired and hungry after the ceremony, so we didn’t spend much time with posed photographs. We still got some amazing photos and it was worth it! It’s up to you. For me, it was really important to have a way to remember the wedding. Also, we were able to send pro photos to relatives. I think the photos are even more important when you have a small guest list.
Post # 7
Member
514 posts
Busy bee
Hmm… In your situation, I think I would get a hold of a good camera (Borrow from friend or Buy knowing you will resell) and designate someoneone (A friend/guest/family member) to be your “Official photographer” for the night. (Great for someone who wants to help you out, but doesn’t have time to spare pre wedding)
You could even give them some ideas of poses and shots that you would love.
Maybe even have two friends and ask them to get as many pics as possible. That way you won’t have to pay for a professional, but you also won’t have to round up pictures from all of your guests.
Of course, a little “Thank You” gift for them being your volunteer would be a great thing also.
Post # 8
Member
231 posts
Helper bee
If you want a photographer and have a tight budget you can check out craigslist. There are some new photographers offering their services for very reasonable prize so that they can have a portfolio. We hired a photographer that I found on craiglist for our cityhall wedding. He worked with us for 2 hours for $200.
Post # 9
Member
1258 posts
Bumble bee
Usually wedding photographers have these packages for 8-10 hours. There are some out there that are flexible and would do an hourly rate for courthouse and elopements that just want an hour or so of pictures.
Mine is doing an hourly rate for us. I wanted a high quality photohgrapher for the ceremony and portraits but couldn’t budget the $3000 price tag for 8 hours.
Post # 10
Member
120 posts
Blushing bee
nbagnara : I also had a tiny wedding with a lunch afterwards. I am SO happy that we decided to have a photographer.
We hired him for 2 hours – took couple photos for about 1 hour (including transfer times) in a nearby garden before the ceremony. Then he took photos of the ceremony for 30 min, and 15 min of portiate style photos with guests, then 15 minutes of everyone enjoying themselves at the lunch before heading out. It was perfect. The cost was also pretty low since it was only 2 hrs.
ETA: We were pretty awkward in front of the camera too so I’m glad we scheduled a full hour for the couple photos to allow ourselves to feel more comfortable. The first half of the images aren’t that great but I LOVE the rest once we relaxed.
Post # 11
Member
62 posts
Worker bee
If you’re looking for a shorter window, photographers that might not normally do weddings might consider it. Try looking for photographers that normally do family portraits or senior pictures. With a small crowd and a shorter timeframe they might be happy to work with you. It’s also a great excuse to snap some professional family/friend photos that you could frame and give as gifts for birthdays/holidays which might help justify some of the expense.
Post # 12
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
SeptBride2Be23 : My Maid/Matron of Honor loves taking photos and has taken some classes so she’s definitely an option.
Post # 13
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
eurasianbee : I did not realize that photographers might be flexible and only do a couple hours. That is so helpful!!!
Post # 14
Member
1251 posts
Bumble bee
fj2m05 : That sounds perfect actually. I hadn’t thought of doing our photos before the ceremony. That sounds like a great solution.
Post # 15
Member
2085 posts
Buzzing bee
My wedding was 30 people and it wasn’t at all awkward to have a professional photographer there. He was really unobtrusive and I never regretted having pro photos done. I would definitely do it.
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