No photographer

My cousin did this and HIGHLY regrets it. They didn't get any good photos really at all.

I would recommend trying to find a photographer for at least 2 hours to get the ceremony and some shots of you and your FH.

This was like 7 years ago and he still talks about how much he regrets it. Please consider finding the budget for a photographer, even a photography student?? They might be less expensive but would still have better equipment and be focused on getting pictures.

Go to the local college and see if any art students with cameras will do it for an hour or two for $100. You can rent professional cameras and have someone take them with that. I would absolutely not rely on family/iPhones. Does your family know they are in charge of taking your photos? What if they aren't good quality? Photos are the only memory you have from your day, once its over you have nothing left to remember except for photos. I'd try to make something work.

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This! There are tons of students looking to build portfolios that would do it for cheaper. Unless one of your family members has a good camera and has posed people for pictures I wouldn't rely on family and friends.

My friend did this and the pictures are bad! She tried to compensate for how bad they are by using filters on the photos. I guess its not a big deal now since they are divorced.

Try to find a photographer that can take pictures of the ceremony.

That's what I'm doing. I just contacted a few photographers and they're price range is way to much for us, so I'm buying a digital camera and having my mom practice taking photos then take pics at our wedding and I edit photos so I'll be editing my wedding photos. It's a lot cheaper and if u know what your doing it could be great.

View Quoted Comment This is a good idea, if you have teacher friends, you can ask them too. I know students that have nice cameras and their hobby is photography. They are high schoolers and would do it for a bit of extra cash. Also go to Facebook or for sale in the area pages and you can find people trying to start up their businesses or do it on the side for extra cash that will do it for cheaper. Best of luck to you!

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That's also a great idea! Go onto Facebook Marketplace, post that you're looking for someone to come take pictures for an hour or two and how much you'd be willing to pay (include they must have their own camera)...I'm sure people would jump at it!

View Quoted Comment This is a great idea in theory but I don't live in Florida where we're getting married. I live in Pittsburgh Pa, how can I find someone to do that from here?

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In Facebook Marketplace you can set a location. Just put the location to where you are getting married and then post. (Ironically, I'm from Pittsburgh and now live in St. Augustine, FL.)

I agree with posters suggesting going to a college, or an art college to look for students who have access to high quality cameras. Or use FB marketplace. My brother and his wife used her brother (this was back in 1987) and he did not put film into the camera, so......nada.

Get someone, you will want not just photos but professional ones at that. A poster here a while ago put up side by sides of I-phones or regular cameras vs. pro cameras and the difference was amazing!!!

We weren’t planning on engagement pics but my DH found a great deal ($50) for a new photographer building up her portfolio. Not a ton of great pics but for the price we got a few great ones. Have you tried looking on Groupon for your area? May be worth a look.

I know it’s over budget but photos are one of the most important pieces. To have photos of your wedding day and your family who are still here, is priceless.

I wouldn't do that personally. I know that I will treasure pictures and out of every investment for my wedding, I considered that to be the most important. You only get one shot at this so I wouldn't make a decision like that which you may end up really regretting.

Edit: You may be able to find a photographer now that would allow you to pay them a deposit now and the remainder after the wedding. Our videographer allowed us to do this and the agreement was that he just won't give us the final product until he is paid in full.

Thanks for the advice all. I found a reasonably priced photographer for $200 for 2 hours, in the palm harbor Florida area. I utilized Facebook marketplace, so thanks to those who suggested it. I wouldn't have thought to even look there! Problem solved! 😁

We are getting a photographer but something we are also doing is putting disposable cameras on all the tables at the reception and encouraging guests to take pictures on those too!

Can you try to get a photographer maybe just for the ceremony and for like a half hour of photos afterwards? That would be cheaper than paying for the whole day. If not, I would designate a friend or relative (preferably one with a nice camera) and tell them they’re in charge of ceremony photos (let them walk around during the ceremony to get better shots and everything)

View Quoted Comment Whoops didn’t read this post lol never mind disregard my comment

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There is a website called modelmayhem.com - huge network of models, photographers, hair and make up artists. You could search there - professionals are on it to either find jobs or people to collab with for all kinds of portfolios. I personally got my maternity pics for free that way. I highly recommend finding someone who has an idea of how to use a camera.

We're thinking of doing the same, all the photographer's in our area charge 3k or more and we're not a fan of their work either. We simply do not have the money for that so a picture from a phone will have to do.

Try Thumbtack