Anybody NOT doing an engagement shoot?

We didn't do an engagement shoot or a party. We talked about it and figure it was a waste of $

In our circle, everyone does them.

Allows you to get to know your photographer better and review the types of pictures they take and what you like or dislike so you can be more confident your wedding day pictures will capture more of what you like/want.

Skipped it. We are putting the extra money towards the wedding and honeymoon. I'm also not comfortable with my body at the moment after giving birth last year.

Fun fact - last year 62% of couples took engagement photos!

We were originally not planning on taking engagement pictures. Neither of us loves taking pictures, and we already knew that we were choosing a non-photo save the date. We got talked into doing them for a few reasons and I'm so glad we did! First of all they were included as part of our package with our photographer, and secondly I'd heard so much about how valuable an engagement shoot is to help you relax in front of the camera, learn to pose, and get to know your photographer.

The engagement session definitely felt awkward at the beginning, but we worked through our camera jitters and it made it soo much easier to take pictures quickly on the day of! We also didn't have many pictures of us as a couple at all, and it's really nice to have great professional pictures that aren't just us on the wedding day

They were included in our photography package, otherwise we would have skipped them.

they turned out very nice, but we have done virtually nothing with them in the 8 mos since we got them, and i expect the two we framed will get replaced with actual wedding photos.

I'm not big on taking/displaying photos, so the expense wouldn't be worth it for me. They're just not my bag, and FH didn't have a strong opinion one way or another.

Ours were included with our package

Engagement photos have been a "thing" since well before I started my portrait biz back in 2007 ... even if neither of you see the 'need' for them, they'll get you comfortable/used to being in front of the camera and familiar with your photographer's style and process before the wedding day. If its included with your wedding photography package, take advantage of them. Have the photographer shoot a few individual ones you can use for headshots on social media or professional use as well.

I suggested it but FH wasn't interested and I'm not sure I want the expense of a whole professional shoot. I have a talented friend that I might ask to take a pic though.

We aren't! We also aren't doing save the dates so there is no use for them.

We're scheduling a 30/45 minute shoot (one outfit, one location) with the photographers we've narrowed it down to (three separate photographers) and calling them engagement photos. Doing it this way was a few hundred dollars cheaper than actual engagement photos, and it gives us a chance to actually work with, talk to, and see how the photographer works before we settle on one.

EDT: By doing this we took it out of any the package(s) offered to us making the wedding package cheaper.

We did them, but we got a good package with our photographer. It was actually a lot of fun, plus a great way to get comfortable with your photographer - especially if you feel a bit awkward having your photos taken.

We didnt

FH and I don't care much for having pictures taken of us. We only want pictures of the big day, the money that could go to an engagement shoot is better saved... or put towards virtually anything else.

I only did it because my dad is a photographer. I definitely would not have paid for engagement pics!

It's not necessary but I can say this...I'm so glad we did because it showed me what a bad choice we had made in selecting our initial photographer/videographer. I was so disappointed in the quality of the pictures and the disorganization of the "company"---if that's what they want to refer to themselves as. If we hadn't done this, we never would have come to this realization and would have most likely been greatly disappointed once we received our wedding pictures. Now we're with a much better company and their work and high recommendations speak volumes.

We did engagement pictures just to have some nice, professional pictures for save the dates and our wedding. I love them

We are not. We are getting married in another state from where we will live and they ARE included in our photography package but we will literally be living across the country. I do have to say I am a bit disappointed actually

We skipped it. So much money going into the wedding and I felt like the wedding photos were the photos we really wanted anyway.

We didn't. Not a necessity of us.