Upcoming Wedding - MY Wedding...

[DigiSLR]

LAdies and Gentlemen, I just ran into a small problem and am reaching out to all of you for some assistance.

My fiance and I are getting married on Feb 26, 2012. We had decided that since this is a second marriage for both of us, and my fiance's father has passed away, we were happy going to elope somewhere. This was what we decided soon after our engagement.

Just last night my fiance informed me that her mother and sister were very disappointed and really wanted to be at our wedding and they didn't feel comfortable with us eloping somewhere.

So, we were planning on spending very little money, being happy with a little cozy just the two of us at an alter eloping, and now we're planning a SMALL, INEXPENSIVE wedding...

SO, my questions are this... February is coming quickly, and since we haven't started to plan anything yet, I am looking for advice on where to have the ceremony. I know a lot of you photograph weddings, and I am confident someone might have an idea that I'd never think of on my own.

Secondly, we'll probably be looking for a photographer for the ceremony. I think I'd be very happy paying someone to shoot the ceremony and take a few bridal photos, but I can take care of the post processing and printing and such on my end. I know none of you would want to shoot and just turn over the memory cards, but if anyone would shoot a wedding and turn over just a few captures that they approve of, I would be willing to pay for your services. (I'll make a seperate thread on this later I guess... Is it appropriate to ask for a "reduced rate" photographer if I really don't need "full service"...)

[Ricco]

I say hire yourself as a photographer, the pay would help out a bit. :)

seriously, though. Just keep it simple, go to the Judge have a simple ceremony and run off to vegas.

[texkam]

Congrats!

Is it appropriate to ask for a "reduced rate" photographer if I really don't need "full service"

Sure. You could make it clear what your expectations and needs are.

On a more personal note, there's a difference between taking pictures and making pictures, so I would not ask a professional for SOOC images. Let the artist you choose make his/her pictures.

[Tom]

I did that. Asked for a discounted rate because I could post them myself. I'm glad he refused. He shot for his vision and edited accordingly. It taught me a lot about what the final product should be.

[texkam]

^ Agreed.

... and when I say expectations and needs, I only mean the scope of the work in terms of it being a small, short, low key gig.

[Hanky]

We simply did not have the money or it would have been real cool to hire a TPF'er for the job.
I set my camera on a tripod,made the settings and let my sister pull the remote trigger.
Gotta say if there is any way, spend the money it would be worth it to hire someone.

[DigiSLR]

Thanks for the insight guys.

Expectations as they currently stand are a small family only wedding ceremony, I'd say 10 - 20 people MAX. Both of us have small families.

I'm sure she will look all over for a romantic place to have a ceremony, but neither of us planned on having the wedding here and we're on a budget... a small one.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by DigiSLR

Thanks for the insight guys.

Expectations as they currently stand are a small family only wedding ceremony, I'd say 10 - 20 people MAX. Both of us have small families.

I'm sure she will look all over for a romantic place to have a ceremony, but neither of us planned on having the wedding here and we're on a budget... a small one.

I shot a wedding for 12 people at a restaurant in Clear Lake once. The couple, their siblings, parents and an aunt and uncle. Quick ceremony, nice meal, a cake cutting and that was that. Easy and cost effective.