How many photographers!?!?!

90% of the time I am able to photograph a wedding by myself. In order to do this though, the couple and I work out the logistics to make it happen. When it is not possible ( for me to be in 2 places at the same time), that is when an additional photographer is needed.

I don't think a couple should hire 2 photographers just to up the photo count. A well seasoned photographer knows how to work a room to get different angles of the entire day.

The number of guests does not warrant more photographers nor does the size of your bridal party.

That's my thought!

I did a first look with my bridesmaids and they are some of my favorite pictures

We had 2 photographers, just because that's what came with the package. We had about the same number of guests as you did, and I wouldn't say that one is not enough. It totally depends on the photographer. A good professional definitely doesn't need a second shooter to do their job well. We had our photographers from 2pm when we arrived at the ceremony space for the few staged "getting ready" shots & first look with BMS, guy pics, etc. They stayed until 10pm (our reception went to 12) and we have more than enough pictures of the night!

ETA: I think I'd have been just as happy with 1 photographer- realistically, we have a Shutterfly album of our favorite pics, 2 traditional albums that are just holding all of our 4x6 prints,and I think we printed and hung up 4 pictures in our house? So we have more than enough photos.

Thank you Kathleen! I appreciate a vendor opinion!! Will definitely take it into consideration.

You are very welcome! Thank you for letting vendors comment!!!!

I would suggest second shooter only because you both want getting ready pictures AND you want the grooms face captured when you walk down the aisle, as well as the photo of you making your entrance. At least that's what I want lol

I agree with Kathleen A skilled photographer can shoot solo for an entire wedding and get all the special moments, and capture moments from different angles. If you are in a location that's somewhat nearby your FH while you're both getting ready, one photographer can get photos of you both getting ready. I would focus more on the *quality* of work of a photographer you're considering hiring, rather than the number of photographers and number of photos.

One skilled photographer can do the job with careful coordination. That being said, our package has two, and I am grateful that we'll have the extra coverage.

I had originally thought we would only need one for the day, but the photographer we booked with includes an additional for the day. Now I'm happy to have 2 photographers for the same reasons as Jillian stated above (bride walking down the aisle and groom's face during ceremony and getting ready pics).

1 is more then enough

I have a second shooter. I want to have more angles and reactions (both of our faces for our first look), and more shots. With a second shooter, you get almost double the pictures for only a little more usually. I was able to request our photographer for 10 hours and a second shooter for 6.

I believe 1 can be enough. However we are doing 2 because we want to capture as much as possible. Plus my fiance is too camera conscious. I want someone to capture him naturally, not just posed.

I have 2 for 4 hrs. And the main one will stay passed the ceremony. So one will get the before shots of the venue. Drone shots. They will split between our two rooms at the hotel. My photographer and actually the videographer did too provided us with a LONG survey/questioner to find out where we would be and the weeding specifics so they can know where we will be at all time. The 2nd was kind of personal preference.

Some photographers prefe to work in teams and have their system down pat to work accordingly. I don't work with seconds, for the sake of style consistency, and non intrusive working approach. It took years to get a system down, and it works for me. Especially since I spend little time on posed photos and everything else is unposed and fly on the wall. Worry less about the hype you hear online and more about how much you love the work of the photographer you are hiring whether they work solo or with a team. You don't need two photographers. It's better for some to work that way and they have their reasons, but I also have my reasons for not doing so, and I've worked events bigger than 150 people. One great ohotographer beats two mediocre ones. It all depends, but that shouldn't be your hiring criteria. Learn how your photographer works and learn their process....go with whose work you love, approach resonates with you, and the personality you love and all is right with the world.

The Company we're using has a second shooter automatically included with the package we chose. Plus, I like the idea of two cause what one person may not see, the other may see and it turns into a great photo op!

I am having 1 and a lighting assistant. I talked about getting a second from the company with my photographer and she said it would be a waste of our money and that she can get it all done. Ultimately it was our call, but I am glad she was honest instead of trying to get us to spend more money.

Thank you Everyone! Your advice has helped alot!! Although I would still like the idea of two photographers for getting ready and both our reactions when I walk down the aisle, I feel SOON MUCH better about the idea of only one photographer!

Two. Here is a great article on it http://itsjenagain.com/why-you-need-a-second-shooter-asheville-wedding-photographer/

We hired two shooters for the reason of being able to have one at each place while we are getting ready, etc. It wasn't much more for us to have two. Plus I do want the different views and angles and I'm not sure we'd get that with one, the way our venue is set up. They'd be running all over the place. I just thought it would be easier.

We are doing two because of wanting pictures of both my groom and I getting ready. We aren't having our first look until I want down the aisle either. I would definitely recommend two, it would make a higher possibility of having everything you want photographed.

We are only doing one. But I don't think it would be bad to do two! I think a good photographer can do it by themselves though