Adding a second photographer?

Having a second shooter was really important to me. It's another camera, so statistically the chances of not having any photos of your wedding is a lot lower (fear of mine) and it's a second chance to just the right shot. Maybe your eyes were closed or the angle was bad when the primary photog took the shot but the second shooter was able to catch a different angle or different moment. I also love the idea of having wide and close shots of the same parts of the ceremony for example. That's much easier to accomplish with two shooters. I found a photographer who only shots with a second shooter and it's always the same one so they're styles match and they work well together. I'd hesitate (but still do it for that price) if the primary photog doesn't typically work with a second shooter.

Worth it.

A great photographer will not miss a thing. If you have a truly great photographer, a second is a waste in my opinion. I also personally don't like a lack of cohesion and 2 photogs is 2 different styles of photography.

The best part of two shooters is that you can capture literally every angle of a shot. The kids when you say "I do" is typically taken from the side or from the aisle. With a second shooter, you can also get it from behind so that you capture all of your guests reactions as well. While you're taking family portraits or pictures after the ceremony, the second shooter can be getting pictures at the cocktail hour.

In the grand scheme of things, it's a small expense that can make a great difference.

I want one, simply because I want FH's face the entire time I'm walking down the aisle and of course some of me walking down the aisle. I'm have an unplugged ceremony so second photographer is a must.

Rene, two photographers shouldn't be vastly different. My photographer and his assistant have worked together several times before and shot in the same "style". If you investigate both of their portfolios/provide a good shot list, it's not an issue.

There are a lot of shots that are great to have two perspectives. For example, walking down the aisle you can get shots of you as well as your FH. A good photographer can move, but too much can disrupt the ceremony. Having two is great for these moments.

Our "main" photographer shot my girls and I getting ready while the second/assistant shot my husband and the GMs. It cut down on our picture time greatly. In the grand scheme of the wedding, $400 to me is well worth the extra shots.

I would go for it. I want to see all the parts I wasn't there for like people coming in before the ceremony and during cocktail hour. And they can usually follow the groom a bit while they get ready.

Thanks for all the advice! I'm really excited the consensus is to go for it! I'm going to tell the photographer to add a second.

@Almost A Mrs. - I have the same fear of getting all my photos back and having them be awful or just wrong! Hopefully this will help keep me calm waiting for the pro pics to come back.

My photographer brought his assistant with him which was included in his price

Depends on your budget of course but 400 for all the extra photos seems worth it to me.

I added the second photographer because it was important to me to get different views and especially for the first look.

Just be sure that it isn't an apprentice being the second photographer. If you are paying that money you want two professionals.

A great photographer will not miss a thing?

Except, you know, the ability to be in two separate places at once.

Get two.

For $400, it might not be the same quality as her main photog, but to me that's not a big deal (I assume if it was to OP, she wouldn't even be on here asking). Our second shooter concentrated on shooting a lot of our atmosphere (centerpieces, the venue, people dancing, etc) while our main photographer focused on what he was best at. I think our second photographer was also nominal (in comparison) to what our main was. If I wanted a second at the rate of my main guy, it would have been much more. Seeing as photos weren't THAT important to us, we stuck with the second/assistant.

ETA: m makes an awesome point . A good photographer can't divide in 2!

Worth it

I say get the second photographer for all the reasons mentioned!

We're getting a second photographer as a free add on. I definitely think it'll be worth it.

Mine comes with 2 photographers

TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!

Very much so worth it! One can be with you and one with your FH getting ready. Also different angles of the ceremony. Less likely to miss important moments or good shots of guest or family members while you are getting portraits done.

I added a second shooter to get different angles, etc. we have our primary photographer all day unlimited and the 2nd shooter for 8 hours.

my other reason for the 2nd shooter is that my venue has a game room for the guys to get ready in. its really cool; theres a pool table, bar, video games, etc. I think it would be fun to have pictures of the guys hanging out, playing pool etc. so one photographer will be with me and the other with the guys. less running around and no splitting time!