Has anyone opted to not have a photographer?

For me having a photographer was one thing I knew I absolutely wanted. I want someone there to capture the moments of us getting ready and all the beautiful little things. And we were really fortunate that we found wonderful photographers who are giving us a great price. We're still deciding on a videography right now. At first I was sure I didn't want it but now I think I want it for at least the ceremony. But we'll see.

I think there’s a huge difference between professional photography and iPhone pics taken by friends (or even ones with a nice camera unless your friend has studied photography). I see when people post photos on Facebook that they took at a friend’s wedding and I’m all like oh that’s cute, but they are never breathtaking or stunnning like the professional ones that are uploaded later by the couple. What type of pics do you want to hang on your wall at home for the rest of your lives and even show your kids some day? The weirdly angled and shadowy pic taken by Aunt Martha? Or the stunning one with perfect lighting that looks like it’s out of a magazine? At the very least hire a new photographer who is starting out and has a small portfolio of good work. Even people who elope often hire photographers, having a wedding and not hiring one at all seems like huge shame to me.

I didn't read the responses. I just wanted to share. My parents were planning their wedding and then broke up, lost all my grandparents deposits and then got back together. My grandparents were no longer paying, so my parents ran off a state over and got married with a couple of friends. I hear all the time about how much she regrets not having pictures from her wedding. I think she has a total of 4 snapshots. Just something to think about. 30 years later and she still regrets that decision, not eloping or the the big wedding. She hates not having the pictures.

I found my photographer on thumbtack.com saved a lot getting her there. Never would have been able to afford her from her website.

We are getting professional photos of the ceremony and we are putting disposable cameras with a photo scavenger hunt (look it up on pinterest!) On each table for guests to capture those reception moments. Doing that, you can opt for a cheaper photo package if you are fine with the less quality candid shots that guests will take.

I can count on one handthe amount of times I looked at the pictures in 14 years and now that I'm divorced they matter even less. I'm not 100% sure what we'll do.

I didn't hire a photographer. My brother in his younger days had always wanted to be a photographer and he's very good at it. He was my photographer. I know everyone always says don't make your guests work your wedding but we only had 4 guests all family members. My parents, my brother and his girlfriend. We all had fun walking around the park after the wedding and taking pictures.