Engagement photos...Are they necessary?

The main benefit of engagement photos is that they're an opportunity to get comfortable with your photographer and to get used to being professionally photographed. Since they're typically included in photographers' packages so it makes sense to just do them.

I would say no, FH had my parents hiding in the bushes when he proposed and my mom had a great camera and made a photo album for us way better to me! Just my opinion, if it comes with the package then sure but I wasn't going to pay extra for it

A lot of wedding photographers offer an engagement shoot in the packages. I've been seeing that a lot! It's really doesn't matter, totally up to you!

No, they're not necessary. Although, if your wedding photographer offers engagement photos as a part of your package, it is a great opportunity to test them out!

We didn't do them, and now I am regretting it. I'm thinking of asking my friend who has a good quality camera to try and take a few of us

We're doing them because my FH is not a picture guy, and all of the "good" pictures of us are on camping trips after not showering for a day or two. We'll probably use those if we do picture save the dates too. But totally up to you, went to a wedding a few weeks ago and they didn't do any engagement pictures.

Not at all. DH and I were too busy to get them done before the wedding, although they were included in our package. After the wedding we were so underwhelmed by the pro pictures we just skipped it (PSA-- make sure you get a GOOD photog!). Still, we're happily married after 18 years, so it doesn't seem to have mattered.

I'm glad we did them. It allowed us to get to know our photographer. At our meeting he was a bit reserved and quiet, but during the shoot he opened up so much. It made me feel a lot more comfortable with him, especially after seeing the great pictures he took!

I also don't feel that comfortable taking pictures, so at first it felt a little forced. But we were able to relax and have fun together. I'm hoping it will make me more comfortable when taking wedding pictures.

We only did them because they were free since we booked from the bridal expo. otherwise we probably wouldnt have. we are going to use them as our save the dates since we will have them, but i dont think they are necessary. especially if you have a lot of pics from the actual engagement, you can use those

Laura R gave the biggest benefit, however they're not necessary. Many love them though.

We're not getting them. Don't feel like spending extra money, since our DW is in Jamaica it's not like we can do an engagement session with the same photographer anyway also, we discussed it and would rather put the money toward a better photography package and a videographer, and just have nice wedding photos.

No but we did it for memories