Married Ladies & Gents: How often do you look at your photos?

Ehhh...I've never been in the "spend all your money on photography" camp. To me its more about the experience of the day. What do you have to take photos of if your wedding sucks otherwise? Lol.

I didn't opt for an album in my photography package, thinking that I would make my own. Five months later I still haven't gotten around to it. So, not very often.

It's not "spend all your money" but it's DEFINITELY not skimp. I spent less than 10% of my budget on photography, and I think they recommend more, but it's totally worth it. Also, wedding photography 30 years ago was A LOT different.

I don't have my pro pics back yet, but I'm sure I'll be looking at them a lot when they're done. I ended up having a VERY VERY small budget for photography and only had 1 photographer (my BIL). So, we asked our guests to take pictures during the reception and upload them to a photo app on their phone. I now have all those pictures that the guests took, too. I think I look at those (because that's all I have right now), probably 3 times a week? I love looking at the pics to see everyone's perspective and it gets me excited to see my pro pics.

I agree with what @M said. Even 10 years ago, wedding photography was much different. I was comparing my sister's wedding photos to what ours will look like (even look on pinterest) and the editing of pictures has increased ten fold since then.

We originally were going to hire someone that does photography but was not a wedding photographer. Well, I won an e-session at a bridal expo and ended up hiring that photographer for the wedding. I'm so glad I did!! With that being said, we trimmed the cost down a lot by only having photography for 3 hours. We got some of the getting ready shots and then the first look, ceremony, first dance, and cake cutting all covered. The rest of the reception was covered by video. I'm very happy with the final product!

I've been married 16 years. I rarely look at the album, but do have some of my favorite photos framed up around the house, and do actually *look at them* often and remember the day. Our photog wasn't great, and it's one of my few regrets about the day. A good photog is money well spent.

To me its not about how often I will look at them its for the future when I want to show our kids. One of my friends hired a friend to do the photos for her wedding thinking she was going to save and she regrets it till this day. It wasn't the biggest priority for me so I didn't splurge on photos but I did find a great photographer for a very reasonable price so I am a happy camper!

Wedding photography was completely different back then. I don't think you need to spend all of your money on photography but it does need to be of good/great quality for whatever you can afford. Most people say the day goes by so fast so I want to make sure I capture those memories to have for years and years. Photography/videography was a priority for me as well.

*my gf didn't have a good photog and isn't happy with her pictures

I absolutely love looking at them! I look at my photobook all the time. I can't wait to get a few prints to hang.

Wedding photography is very different now from when our parents got married. I researched a lot before choosing a photographer. Our budget was tight, so I tried to get the most bang for my buck. Our photographer was 10% of our total budget. I do look at my pictures all of the time.

I'm with you that photography is the MOST important aspect because when it's over, all you will have are the memories and the pictures. Pictures are also the only thing that will last for generations!!

I have three that I have hanging at home and work. I've looked at my album maybe twice and the photos on my computer about twice as well.

I don't expect to flip through ALL of my photos EVERY single day (we'll most likely only have a couple hanging on the wall), but I do want to have quality pictures for when I do want to reminisce and to share with any future children/grandchildren we may have, hence why we spent almost double what we were planning on a photographer.

After we received the proofs from our engagement album, my parents, married almost 30 years, got out all of their wedding pictures (first time I had ever seen all of them, not just the two they have hanging on the wall) and starting telling FH and I about their wedding. It was cool to see them that excited to talk about their wedding and relive some of those moment and memories they had made

I was married before and by the end of the first year the photo book was collecting dust . I had 2-3 favorites displayed . I am not hiring a photographer for my 2nd wedding ...in my experience it's not worth the expense. I am having a cousin who does photography as a hobby do our photos .

My first wedding pics are in a box in my cellar (and I'm very good friends with my ex). Pictures are important... I have a cabinet in my dining room filled with pictures of family, friends, dog etc. I'm having my sons friend do my pictures. He does my yearly dog Xmas card and mostly shoots cars. He said "pay me in beer." He will meet us at venue and stay probably the whole time (told him to bring his wife and 2 sons) and I'll give him a few hundred dollars. His pictures will be incredible. I would never pay 4 grand for pictures (but I drive a very expensive car)... Everyone has different priorities. You need to do what works for you.

@Robin R. - you and I are so similar!

I was also married before (10 years). We rarely looked at them. Have all of the pics in albums in a box in my storage closet. He and I are friends, but I'm moving out of state and they willl have to go.

I know having a few great pics will be important to me, but I'm not breaking the bank to have hours of coverage and hundreds of pictures.

I'm not married, but wanted to weigh in with my perspective from the 4 married couples I am closet to.

1) my parents who have been married almost 31 years. They have several wedding pictures framed around the house that I always liked to look at. My mom has pulled out her album enough times that I am pretty familiar with her pictures. She doesn't have a ton, but what she does have are great quality from the 80s.

2) my future in laws are celebrating their 30th anniversary this weekend. There is one large bridal portrait hanging in their bedroom, no other wedding pictures around. FMIL pulled out her wedding album when we first got engaged and it was clear that it had been years since its been opened. Again, not a ton of pictures but great quality from the 80s.

3) my brother and SIL have been married for almost 2 years. Photography was not a priority and it shows. They asked my uncle to do theirs and while he is a pro, he doesn't do people. They are very few great pictures. Out of the 50 or so they shared on Facebook, probably only 1 or 2 are what I would call pro quality. I am not happy with them, but I don't know about my brother and SIL.

4) a friend of mine and her hubby got married about 2.5 years ago and used our photographer but b/c the photog us our boss, wasn't charged. Our boss is a pro is has done lots of weddings. My friend has lots and lots of fantastic photos, many of which are displayed around her home. She also has a really nice album that sits open on top of a small bookshelf for them to look at and flip through when they walk by.

Moral of the story is different people have different feelings about photos in general and will therefore look at photos in varying amounts. Always hire a pro who is used to shooting people and knows how to group people.

@ValZtoBe - I think we learned from the first go round. I know I did. When I do look at the old pics my niece and nephew weren't there... They were 2 or 3 and I didn't want babies there. Now that niece is almost 30 with her own baby and HE will be there this time... He's family. It was all about "appearance" and things had to be "perfect"... Now it's about love and family and a good time. No theme or expensive invites or "staged" pictures (which often look like bad old Bradlees ads and awkward). Not a dress that was custom made for me for 5 grand. (Macys-less than 200 this time). Live and learn. One thing I still think is important is good food, cake and drinks!! That hasn't changed... Probably never will. (Oh and pics with pets hasn't changed either.. Lol)

@ Robin...lol....I drive an expensive car too...but I'm not willing to waste money on a photographer..In fact I only want about 20 minutes of photos so we can enjoy cocktail hour. Definitely live and learn . First timers won't get it but that's OK.

That's what I'm thinking Rena. My son is a TV producer with a great camera. HE can take a few pics at the house of all of us... Then his buddy can do 15 or so minutes of outside shots with our families. That's it... Besides candid reception shots. No one is taking pictures of my shoes or a dress on a hanger... I don't get that.