Photographer for registry office wedding

[babybat]

Partner and I are planning to get married next year; it will just be a small registry office ceremony followed by a meal. We only plan to have family attending, and we want to keep it small and informal. I'd still like to have some decent photos of the day, and I don't want to rely on guests for photography, who may only have their phones rather than cameras. I don't want all of the traditional getting ready shots, just a few of us at the venue and of the ceremony, but I'm not really sure how to approach the issue of finding a photographer, and I'd prefer not to pay the full whack for a day's shoot when it's likely to be much shorter. Does anyone have any advice on how to find a photographer and what it's likely to cost? People who had small/informal weddings: what did you do?

We are getting married next month at a hotel with just our parents and a meal after. We are having the ceremony at 4pm and we have booked a photographer as normal. He will be there a bit before, then do normal photos, have a meal with us and then do some night shots. It's his normal fee though, and is £795 (we are in the the SW)

Wedding photographer here. Most wedding photographers will offer something like a full day or a half day. And most will listen to what you want and make it happen, no-one will force you to do getting ready shots if you don't want them.

Some photographers will do a couple of hours but this is dependant on when this is. A Saturday in Summer, probably not, but a week day afternoon is very usual.

Search for elopement photographers as they will shoot shorter events. And don't be afraid to ask any photographer you like the look of to do a shorter package. I get asked quite often and it's no problem.

I went to a registry office wedding that used a couple of students from a photography course at the local college, they charged Alot less, worked as a team and the photos came out great.

Scotland. Small registry office wedding and then slightly bigger reception. It was £550 for 3 hours. £800 for 5. We went with 3

I've had this exact thing...small wedding, only wanted photographer for registry office ceremony and handful of photos after. An hour max plus time putting on USB etc. After quotes of £300 - 500 I managed to find a local photographer who quoted £75! Seen his work and it's just what we want...nothing arty or photos of shoes etc, just a record of who was there and what we did! He said he does loads of these small shoots as that's all some people want and he's the only one offering that service

I'd not heard of elopement photographers before, I'll check that out. I've found a few photographers who specialise in registry offices and have shorter packages; I guess the majority of people still want a full day shoot, as that seems to be what most photographers websites offer? I'll draw up a shortlist of those whose style I like and get in touch about shorter packages. There's aso an arts college near us so a student could be a good tip!

Most wedding photographers websites showcase their biggest & best weddings, it's their shop front of you will. But that doesn't mean to say that they won't do smaller affairs. It's just that the smaller ones tend to have less of the pretty details and epic portrait sessions due to time and the priorities of the couple getting married. They are still great, meaningful weddings but the pictures don't often end up on the front page of a website.

Find a few photographers who style really resonates with you, and just ask them if they do what you are after. They can say yes or no, it's no skin off their nose.

Only go down the route of an art college kid if you really aren't bothered by photography. If you just want a few snaps, go ahead. But if you want consistent, beautiful pictures that tell a story, find a pro.

I agree with Ami. Big or small, I think for weddings, having a photographer whose style resonates with you is so so important. Besides, wedding rings it's the only lasting bit of a wedding.

My husband is a wedding photographer and I find that especially with the smaller weddings, you have more people who'd want to see pictures. It's good to have a few lovely shots.

Going with personal experience, I know we have happily covered smaller affairs for less. So hopefully it won't be too difficult to find someone willing to do the same.

We are getting married in just over 2 weeks. Small registry office wedding with a meal after. OH works with a guy who is really into photography. He doesnt edit or anything. I just want casual shots nothing posed and none of the getting ready shots. We have booked him for 4 hours, and have paid £100. I suggest asking around. Maybe a friend of a friend could do it. My brother offered to do it but i wanted pictures with him in so this s3emed a good solution.