Disappointed by my wedding photos and wedding photographer

Maybe ask to see all the raw photos? There might be some in the unedited photos they didn't send you.

Did any of your guests take any pics? Maybe you can send out a mass email asking for peoples photos?

Or ask for the raw files maybe?

Yes, I've reached out for the full photos but now that I think back, I don't think that the photographer ever took any of husband and I full length in the Western dress. I'm just disappointed. We have photos from our guests but they are mostly from phones so not really print sized for nice photos to hang on your walls

I'm sorry, how disappointing

When we were talking to photographers at the bridal show, one of them offered a post wedding photo shoot. She explained that typically the wedding day is so rushed and there are tons of other venues to take pics at that you couldn't do because of time restrictions. Maybe you could discuss your issues with your photographer and ask him to do this? Or hire another photographer. Either way, a post wedding shoot may be the best way to get a full body shot that's print quality.

That's awful, sorry to hear that. Did you discuss with your photographer before the shoot regarding shots that you wanted?

I’m so sorry this happened girl! 🙁 😥 If it helps any I’m in the same boat as you.
So I know exactly how you feel. However I feel like some if not a lot of the blame is on us because we chose to go with someone that does photography as a hobby and not as a career. Still...especially when someone is shooting a wedding regardless if it’s a hobby or not they should do their best work and be as professional as possible.
& we also did immense amount of research on her beforehand. Like her photography style in her photos with her hundreds of pictures on her FB page, reviews from. Family and friends that shot their weddings/special events etc, & even had her shoot my bridal shower just to make sure. All of that was a breeze and also received gorgeous pictures from my bridal shower. Her price was what sold us. Less than $600 when others were wanting at LEAST $1200 (starting not including all the hours we needed total either) And we were paying everything ourselves so we booked her of course to help save our wallets. Well that ended up biting us in the butt I’d say. There’s a few shots that are lovely but rare ones of just my husband and I. And not a single close up of us either. Which is rather sad. I have had to crop us out of shots and there’s still remnants of people in the pictures that were just supposed to be him & I. I did send a shots list to her as well but what I could’ve done I suppose (if she bothered to even look at the shots list on the day of-which is another big issue is that she never looked at it on her phone like she agreed she would-she kept asking for my phone for the shots list #1 I’m behind schedule and too busy to babysit you;I barely had time to get my dress on so what makes you think I’m going to find my phone wherever it was at to give to you to shoot the pictures and see the shots list you’d already said you would look at your own phone to get??? & #2 you can’t have my phone anyway because I used it for the ceremony music. This Just didn’t work out well and was a big part of my wedding day stress along with sadness during and especially after now that it’s over and there aren’t many shots I’m happy with along with quite a few of her photos having focus problems and grainyness/lighting issues).I’m sure to help it out a bit more is to send a more specific shots list. (Again if they even look at it haha. I’d say make sure they do. Especially after they say they will and especially if it’s on your wedding day) ; Like who will be in the picture, with what pose, & where they will take the pictures. That way maybe I could’ve gotten more shots? Maybe? (Probably not since like I’ve said she never looked at her shots list. But worth a try I suppose lol) There were also other things that went wrong. MOH made us late for hair and makeup since she had to take a shower last minute even before I had had one, our hair girls were a little behind because of that but then later in the process (when we had become all caught up) were even more behind and made us late the rest of the day due to one of the salon girls not wanting to work on our hair simply because she didn’t feel like it anymore and she said that verbatim, (even though I’d paid them ALL already to do our hair), oh and one of the more important things that happened the previous night at rehearsal that still eats me up inside to this day (which I should’ve asked how to fix this beforehand when we were going over the similar area for sound) the projector at our church where the ceremony was held is right in the middle of everything (dont know Nor understand why it’s even here since it covers up this beautiful stained glass window and you’d figure since they’d more than likely have paid a pretty penny for the window they wouldn’t want to cover it up? And also for that and especially to prevent things like this. Idk. They should have projector screens of to the sides but nooooo) and I of COURSE forget to ask how to move this up and down during sound check and rehearsal. So this thing was in all of our photos. Didn’t notice it during the ceremony but for sure do now and it’s NOT AT ALL what I wanted in my background during my vows. And to look back on for years. Video didn’t catch it so thank goodness for that. I mean I’d say to help with all this is to save up as much as you can WAAAY before your wedding lol. And even if you don’t think you’ll ever get married save it anyway since everyone should have an emergency fund too. But save up as much and as early as you possibly can. Also to get a wedding day coordinator or even two. You can’t do this by yourself. Trust me lol. Along with don’t be afraid to pause things for a moment to speak your peace and say your opinion. Don’t be afraid to come off rude. Don’t be completely a jerk to everyone haha just speak up and say what is bothering you or what you need fixed/done because this is your wedding day and you cant redo it the next day. It only happens once.
Honestly though regardless even if it is crappy:Things happen. No one is perfect. Things go wrong. Unfortunately And just like life you can’t control every aspect of it (even though I wish we could especially for our wedding day lol) It happens. Like someone else said on here all that matters is you married your best friend and I also agree with some of the other advice of doing post wedding shots. I used to think that pre and post wedding shots were over the top or just for rich people blah blah haha. However you can find some decent deals and even can possibly get better shots than even on your wedding day. Like others have said you won’t be rushed. You can have a romantic photoshops and time spent with your partner, & get gorgeous shots of the two of you. Again, yes I understand it’s not 100% of the same, but just think of the wedding day and even its pictures as what they are. They are just things. And only one day out of your marriage. Treasure the photos you do have and the memories of that day and take into your heart that that’s the best day I married my best friend and make your marriage even more beautiful and memorable than your wedding. And possibly do what I’m doing as well and others I’ve seen do on here too is have a romantic one year anniversary photo shoot. Or have it on any anniversary shoot really. I also had a friend suggest putting on your wedding dress and getting all pretty and taking pictures just because on any day that works for you both. Hope this or at least some of this helps. Again you’re not alone in this. And it does get better. I’d say once you have a healthy ‘grieving process’ (sounds weird and dumb but worked for me) over shots you wanted and or the ways you wanted the pictures. You’ll come out of this brief grieving process rejuvenated and also know now what you want and do want or like and dislike in photography style. Then will apply it to any other photographer. & I can tell you this girl. Yes my wedding was beautiful and so were my select few of pictures I have of just my husband and I (which none even include our first kiss besides the one I screenshot from the video haha) but honestly I get the most butterflies and happiness by just seeing him and spending time with him regardless. Like our Christmas pictures we took. I get so giggly and smiley like a kid on Christmas morning when I see those pictures of us underneath lights. Once you get more pictures of you guys just enjoying each other in your marriage and making beautiful memories together, this won’t feel as bad as it does now. Promise. 🥰