Would we regret it if we did this?

[SRUAlmn]

Hi! We are trying to balance a budget right now and decide which things are the most important to us. I really feel strongly about having videography. Call me a dork, but I LOVE video montages. I actually go through my life thinking how cool it would be if I were on a TV show and thinking which song they'd be playing in the background for whatever it is that I'm doing (before you think I'm a COMPLETE dork, I don't do this all the time! )

Anyway, my fiance (to my delight) REALLY wants to do a MK photo session. The bridal one, not the honeymoon one.

SO, here is the question. If we are doing videography and the MK photo session, do you think it would be ok to save some money on regular photography and just have family members who we trust take pictures with their digital cameras? My mom's good friend was the photographer for my sister's wedding (total amateur, just has a really nice camera and tripod) and they turned out so nice! Would we be crazy to make this choice?

Any thoughts would be so appreciated!

 

[Laurafoster]

It really depends on how much you trust your family - mine cant take decent pictures at all so i wouldnt risk it with my family. That being said photography is really important to me as lots of my family and friends back in England are not able to attend.

How about a compromise, get a proffessional for the ceremony pics and the portraits, then have family and friends take pictures of the reception.

 

[SRUAlmn]

How about a compromise, get a proffessional for the ceremony pics and the portraits, then have family and friends take pictures of the reception.

That's a good idea, but I think even Randy Chapman's cheapest package covers 3 hours so that would include most of the reception too. I guess it is really only a difference of about $600 for his cheapest package. It's just that our ceremony is from 12-1 (including picture time,) then our reception is from 1-5, and then we are having a dessert party for an hour and a half that night. So we would need a package that included from around 11-11. Unless they will stop the time in between.

 

[Skylarr29]

I'm pretty sure Randy won't charge for the time in between. I think he will charge 2 hours for the DP and then by the hour for the ceremony and reception.

 

[chipscinderelly]

Another option would be to have a good photographer or friend make a video montage from your still photos.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Another option would be to have a good photographer or friend make a video montage from your still photos.

I actually thought about that too, but it's just not the same as hearing yourselves say your vows on your big day.

 

[happylalagirl]

SRU - we had cotemplated having a video and a few months ago we decided to go for it... we are now in a financial bind and are looking for ways to cut our costs... one of the discussions we had was the videographer... I thought about it and I told my DF that I would regret it forever if we didn't have a video of our wedding day. We've been together for almost 13 years and to not have that memory for me to watch every day if I so choose, would be devestating to me. Not to mention, our daughter will be such an integral part of the day. I would love to be able to watch it and reminisce with her about that day if she wants.

I have heard of people having friends/family take pics and they came out wonderfully. As long as you have someone who is a decent photographer, go for it.

 

[JJClemson]

To me, having a good photographer is a MUST for my wedding day. DF and I are not having a videographer due to financial reasons. However, my brother and uncle will be sharing videography duties during our wedding. Maybe you could have someone do that? I know my video won't turn out wonderfully, but how often are you going to watch your wedding video? My wedding pictures, on the other hand, will always be displayed at my house, my parents' house, DF's parents' house, etc. So, I really want my pictures to turn out well.

 

[heatherlynn444]

I would be very upset to not have my videographer and photographer! there is no where else you can cut costs? cake? accessories for your dress? anything? or maybe yu can cut something from your monthly budget at home? hhmmm....you only have one wedding day, so thats just IMO

 

[SRUAlmn]

I would be very upset to not have my videographer and photographer! there is no where else you can cut costs? cake? accessories for your dress? anything? or maybe yu can cut something from your monthly budget at home? hhmmm....you only have one wedding day, so thats just IMO

I know. I'm not even positive we're going to need to cut costs. I'm just looking to the future since I've seen so many people on here who get their BEO and then panic that they have to cut a million things. I think we'll be ok. I was just thinking out loud just in case I'm with you, though. The more I thought about it. Even though we'll have the MK photo shoot pics, it's not the same as having your picture at picture point, or during your first dance, or your first kiss as husband and wife. Our friends and family may be too emotionally involved to remember to take pics at certain moments. A photographer is there just for that purpose

 

[feline figaro]

To me, having a good photographer is a MUST for my wedding day. DF and I are not having a videographer due to financial reasons. However, my brother and uncle will be sharing videography duties during our wedding. Maybe you could have someone do that? I know my video won't turn out wonderfully, but how often are you going to watch your wedding video? My wedding pictures, on the other hand, will always be displayed at my house, my parents' house, DF's parents' house, etc. So, I really want my pictures to turn out well.

Im in the same mind as JJ ,most people being either friends or family can operate a videocamera but photos are more of a specialist field. Sometimes getting a member of your family to record the video adds a personal quality as they know everyone whos their plus they ll have a really good idea on what kind of things you ll want shot & who ll you ll really want included (some guests may not be a priority ). Just think how many people will end up asking to see your pics, more will see them than will see the video. Plus as JJ said, you can frame your wedding photos & give them out to family & friends. The mk photoshoot is an amazing opportunity for you both to be a lone in front of Cinderellas castle in your wedding attire, not many people get to say they ve done that. I personally would definatly go a head with the Mk shoot & spend money on a really great photographer. Let friends & family take it in turns to have fun behind the camera giving you a video that ll probably be filled with comical moments that a more polished professional video may lack.

 

[heatherlynn444]

haha I didnt even think about your relatives being too emotional to take pictures anyway! hope it all works out for you!

 

[SRUAlmn]

haha I didnt even think about your relatives being too emotional to take pictures anyway! hope it all works out for you!

I didn't actually mean 'emotional' (that put a funny picture in my head.) I just meant caught up in what's going on and forgetting to take pictures. You know like when you're watching Spectromagic or Wishes and you're so in awe of the show that you don't want to miss it by taking a bunch of pictures. You just want to enjoy the moment.

 

[pintradingwedding]

besides, i think if it's shot on digital video, you can pull frames from it and print them out like still photos for your album

i think a video of your disney wedding will be priceless!

 

[SRUAlmn]

besides, i think if it's shot on digital video, you can pull frames from it and print them out like still photos for your album

i think a video of your disney wedding will be priceless!

I agree!! That's what I really like. I know I could have someone do our own on my camcorder, but I love the professionally put together package with the music and the special effects. To me, that is priceless!

 

[jojoandhb]

People always get mad at me when I suggest this, but if you HAVE to have the videographer and the MK shoot and a bunch of other stuff but aren't sure you can afford it, why not push the wedding back 6 months to a year? If you're going to be together forever, what difference does it make? You want the wedding of your dreams. It's a one time only event. You should spoil yourself and have it the way you want it.

 

[SRUAlmn]

People always get mad at me when I suggest this, but if you HAVE to have the videographer and the MK shoot and a bunch of other stuff but aren't sure you can afford it, why not push the wedding back 6 months to a year? If you're going to be together forever, what difference does it make? You want the wedding of your dreams. It's a one time only event. You should spoil yourself and have it the way you want it.

I'm not going to get mad We don't do that here on the wedding boards.

Anyway, this is actually not an option. Slight background to our story is this...
We have already been engaged for a year and it will be 1 year and 11 months by the time we have our wedding. We made our plans based on a budget we had with help from our families. In that first year, my fiance had a hard time finding a job (we had moved to a new state) and his father helped us out. His father now feels that since he helped us while my fiance was out of a job he doesn't feel it necessary to help with the wedding. Hence the sudden possible drop in budget. I know I'm being a brat, but it's not fair. Anyway, we don't know for sure. My fiance still truly thinks he'll come around.

 

[Deesknee]

Food for thought; DH is a great photographer. He was asked by a very dear friend years ago to take the pictures of her parents 25th wedding anniversary party. He was more than happy to. Sadly, his camara was broken and all the pictures came out extremely dark. We learned the hard way it isn't just about taking nice pictures. I agree with previous posts, have a friend or two video, but hire the still photographer. We have a beautiful picture of us on our wedding day hanging in our home (24yrs). I don't know too many people who show others their video after that long. (not that video's were that common in the good ole days )

 

[Laurafoster]

Randy is not charging me for the time between my Reception and Dessert Party so give him a ring and see what he can do!

Why not have him for the ceremony 11-2pm then 2 hours at the DP! I found him really flexible to work with!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Randy is not charging me for the time between my Reception and Dessert Party so give him a ring and see what he can do!

Why not have him for the ceremony 11-2pm then 2 hours at the DP! I found him really flexible to work with!

Thanks! I wondered about that. That makes a difference if I know we can do that