Wedding with no photographer - would you judge?

[CalmDownPacino]

As the title really....it's my wedding - only a small affair, second time around for both of us. Register office and then a party afterwards. We categorically can't afford a photographer so aren't having one. Would you be judging if you came?

Totally depends what day you are getting married.

Photographers can be very cheap for a mid-morning registry office on a Monday (they usually have nothing else to be doing!).

"I prefer “real” photos to posed ones and don’t want the day to turn into a photo shoot."

So many people on this thread are saying this, or variations on this theme. But it's a very narrow, limited view of what a wedding photographer does. You don't have to turn your wedding into a photo shoot, you don't have to have lots of formal, posed shots, you certainly don't have to make people wait around for hours or have cheesy couple shots. You just have to choose your photographer carefully! Plenty of them do "reportage" style photography, capturing the moments of the day, and will do a few natural, relaxed portraits. Our photographer was lovely - friendly and smiley and very good at putting people at ease, so she did some lovely informal photos of the guests. And I'm glad we had some group photos too, we have one of everyone that I treasure, and I don't think people even noticed when we were having a few family shots done - there was plenty of food and drink being served.

I don't know why so many people on Mumsnet are so negative about professional photography. I suppose there must be a lot of substandard photographers out there. Photography is important to me, so I chose carefully.

More respect? As in, you'd have less respect for someone who used a professional photographer?

FFS. This thread is pissing me off now.

Using a pro photographer is just as valid as not using one.

I would never judge, but I think you will regret it.

A friend had a photographer, there was an accident and their pics were destroyed. They contacted friends and had copies made from their pics. they were quite lovely as well.

Well we didn't have one. Had a ceremony for 80 in a hotel and full day and evening stuff.

I had two guests who were tasked with taking a lot of pics (they had good cameras). Also encouraged others to take as many as they wanted and send them to us.

One of our photographing guests made us a nice photobook using her images. We have more than enough photos and no uncomfortable posing around.

The only shot which is a 'posed' shot was taken by the local newspaper - and we got that for free.

I doubt anyone will judge you OP.

It's a perfectly valid choice.

Some folk like a lot of photos- others don't.

We didn't have a photographer - my dad did the photos! I wouldn't judge.

No if anyone does judge their being completely foolish

AnotherEmma I think today's been a weird day on MN ... I can't put my finger on it but it's just been odd

Well THAT was an unfortunate cross post

@Kennehora
Photos are not just for vanity or showing off.
Stop being so narrow-minded and judgemental.

Yes, it is clearer.

Why it contact a local photography group / college and see if anyone wants to do it just for experience. Nothing to loose. Tell them you want reportage only - no posed. Won't make a difference to your day then

Wow, thank you all for replying! I didn't expect so many replies

Just to clarify, we can't cut corners anywhere else. The whole thing has cost less than £1800 and there are no corners left to cut! A friend of Mr Pacino's is an amateur photographer and had said he'd do some pics for us but backed out a week ago .

I did approach the local college to ask if any of their photography students might like to do it for a minimal fee and reference (and free food and drink!) but no takers sadly.

I'm really relieved to hear that nobody would 'judge' us. I suppose I was worried they'd think we were cheap or something. Or be thinking, well she shouldn't have had bridesmaids and paid for a photographer. As it happens my only bridesmaid isn't daughter and she's wearing the dress I bought her for her prom in July - bonus!

*is my daughter, not isn't!

No photographer at my second wedding. We all took pics with our phones (only one person actually had a camera) then shared them via text or Facebook the following day. No one passed comment.

Nope. Im thinking we might not bother having one. There is not one picture of me that's been taken by a professional that i like!

How often do people look at their wedding photos? I reckon its a good ten years since mine saw the light of day. If I had my time again, I'd have eloped and saved all the stress and money spent on things that just aren't important.

Just to add, I do have a lot of respect for photographers. I think it's a wonderful skill. I just can't afford it, it's not that I resent paying because I think Uncle Bob can do a better job with his Huawei Pro 8

I'll stop posting now!