Are you getting another photographer/videographer?

You mentioned you could split them - do you mean have the videographer do one event and the photographer to the other? Or can you split the hours between the two events? Say they were giving you six hours of coverage, and you can use two hours at the microwedding and four hours at the reception?

Our new plan thanks to coronavirus is to go to the courthouse when it re-opens and then later have a 'celebration of our marriage' dinner or brunch. We're planning on having our photographer come with us to the courthouse. I'm wearing my dress and veil and everything. That day we're also going to go to the park and get pictures taken of us. We might ask one of our witnesses to record the ceremony on a phone, but otherwise we probably won't use the videographer we'd planned on.

We made that decision because we're not going to do a vow renewal, and for me the pictures in the park, in our wedding clothes is important. I figure I'm going to have them for the rest of my life. Plus that way we get some pictures of the ceremony too. I'm probably not even going to wear my wedding dress at the celebration dinner. I might wear the rehearsal dinner dress I'd bought instead. Would you wear your dress to both? That might be a deciding factor if you only plan to wear it once.

Another thing to try is looking for college students or photographers wanting to expand their portfolios. those options would be considerably cheaper or free.

Yes, I was talking about splitting the dates (as in having photographer for one and videographer for one).

I can't wear my wedding dress because it needs altered I am hoping to find another one for the day. I do think it's vital to have some photographs of the first time that you become man and wife. Thanks for your input

Thanks, I didn't think of that, Melle!

We would wait until the big one for professional photos. Just have family take photos of the elopement.

You're welcome! Good luck finding a new dress! I'm sure you'll find another one that you love

Hi Chantal,

I'm so sorry that you've been backed into this situation! It's a hard call when you're forced to choose to have your photographer and/or videographer at only one of your weddings.

The suggestions above are helpful. However, if you're already over budget and can't afford to spend any more money -- not even on a student photographer or videographer -- maybe there's someone in your social circle who takes photos as a hobby. For whichever event you deem less critical, perhaps a photographer friend could cover it.

I hope you find a solution that works for you!