No photographer!?

@ Brian C- I can understand wedding photographers' pricing on wedding photos. I know it's a lot of work and takes a lot of skill to do right, and most weddings are pretty-much all day events.

You mentioned finding a professional photographer for an hour or two. Since our wedding is so small and we're not even having a reception (dinner, but no dancing or anything) what could I expect to pay for a professional for an hour or two, if I could find someone willing to do it? All I've been able to find so far is wedding packages. They start at 6 hrs with two photographers at $1,000 and go up from there.

Sorry to hijack the thread- just needing advice from a pro. Thanks!

@Jennifer - couldn't hurt to request a custom quote. Packages are made to accommodate the most common requests, but usually that doesn't mean you HAVE to pick one and stick with it, lots of photographers will customize something for you, especially if it's last minute and they aren't booked for your date yet. Sometimes 2 hours of work is better than 0 hours of work - just depends on the photographer!

My friend got a student photographer for $50. The kid didn't even get a picture of the signing of the marriage license. I was annoyed. Luckily I swooped in and took one, but I am not a photographer and my camera is a $120 camera....

@Keatha - I'm not saying a student will do a perfect job, I'm just saying it's a decent solution in this last-minute-low-budget situation. Most will be eager to do their best, as they are likely looking to start/build a portfolio. We all started out in that position at some point. Of course if you have the time and the budget, and place a high importance on the photography, then you will have to spend some money and find someone with experience, but that is not the situation in question!

Thank you Tara! My point exactly.

We had a really tight budget, so we paid a local photographer $350 plus prints to come for an hour, and take photos of the ceremony and portraits afterwards. Candids were shot by family and friends.

If you can call the original photographer you liked, try to get them there for the professional moments. I understand your FH isn't their number 1 fan, but see if he is willing to compromise for the ceremony and portraits (as Shannon and others have said).

Despite others opinions on students and photogs on craigslist, i think choosing one of them is better than no photog at all, esp if your expectations are not super high and you are getting it cheap or free. Ask for samples of their work and give them a detailed shot list.

We did our engagement photos with a recent graduate who was just starting out and she did an amazing job and did them for free to build her portfolio. Even though we wont be using her for our wedding since it is out of town, we will use her again for our shower.

Experience is important, but not all experenced photogs take great photos and not all newbies take bad ones. Everyone has to start somewhere. Use your own judgment.

Please to god to do have disposable cameras. your photos will not come out well, and it's more of the cameras fault then the photographers. I work at a camera store developing prints- trust me, i know.

If anything, i like Shannon S idea. the posed photos are the ones that most people end up hanging on their wall, candid can be done by friends and family (on digital please!)

another option is to buy a lower end SLR camera and have the absolute best photog in the family take pictures with it. The new SLR's are so smart that really you don't have to do much to get a good pictures- just make sure your in an evenly lit place. Plus- instead of spending money on a service you will never use again, you will have the camera around for more events in the future.

But I'd still try and get a photographer for an hour or so to do the formal portraits and maybe your vows.

I agree with getting a pro for an hour or two (ceremony & family portraits). If family & friends mess up pics of the reception -- no big deal.

I agree with @susan. Everyone has that family member who loves taking photos and posting them on facebook.. If we can afford a photographer that's what we're going to do.

I agree with hiring a college student. Hire more than one, if you can find them cheap enough. Since "even the blind squirrel gets an acorn" you'll want as many people shooting photos as possible (family members included) and you'll have the best shot at good ones coming out.