crying cos we can't afford a tog- why are you SO expensive?

Definitely agree that you don't always get what you pay for but in general terms you do. Some of the togs here will know who i am referring to but recently there was a new photographer in one of our photography groups who posted a set of images that I reckon would stand up to any seasoned professional, if not better. It was her first wedding and she charged £250 I think for 12 hours. She's nowhere near OP though.

There are rough diamonds out there but being on a strict budget just means you have to look a lot harder.

Oh wow I'm overwhelmed by the amount of feedback & advice I've had, thank you so much! Can't believe all the very kind & generous offers of help guys, I really, really do appreciate it & it means alot to me thank you ?

I didn't mean to offend any togs, really I didn't, I just didn't understand why the cost was so high & no I didn't realise it would be so much, but when you're OH asks you to marry him you don't really think 'Ooh, I wonder how much the photographer will be?!' lol I think you all do a wonderful job I just think I was being naive & the pressures of everything else has left me very emotional.

Sazzle I was thinking of doing a 3 month flash but then I chickened out cos I thought it didn't look as good as everyone else's ? maybe I'll brave it & do one tomorrow & see what everyone thinks?

My eyes are a bit sore & tired from all the blubbing lol so I'll read through the posts again properly tomorrow & reply to your kind offers. Thanks again I really do appreciate it ?

I have good news!!!! I have found a local professional tog who is happy to do our wedding at a reduced rate, because it's getting quite close now & he didn't have a booking for our date ? I want to thank you all again for your kindness I've been really bowled over, I didn't expect that. I will do some flashes of the the things I got sorted so far & see if you think they're naff or not lol.

Flashes! yay!!!!! can't wait!!!!! soooooooooooo happy you got something sorted! now you can get super excited for your fantastic day! ^_^

Great news that you have a TOG now

We couldn't afford a wedding photographer when we got married either. I was the only photographer (a keen amateur all those years ago!) among my friends, but my husband had a family friend who did it as his gift to us.

I think you should ask your friends to help. If you pay cheap for a really poor quality photographer then your guests will still think you have a photographer.

I attended a friends wedding a few years ago. I kept out of the way and only took about 10 photos as I could see she had an "official photographer." Only she couldn't afford one, so they had given her cousin their camera and asked him to shoot the wedding. He'd never used a digital camera before and the photos were so bad they asked me to re-edit them a couple of years later. If I had known the truth I would have taken a lot of photos for them.

Edit: just seen you found someone - well done!

Hey mrsG2B I've just come across a post on facebook from someone offering free photography for a wedding this year and I thought of you. let me know if you're interested and I'll send you his facebook details. x

I too have worried about this cost.

I have decided on the basis that everyone has smart phones, to put a list of certain pictures i want capturing on the day on everyones chair place for it to be their role in the day.

I am also going to nearer the time see if any students want to earn some money for a few hours to build their portfolio - but I in no way want it to over rule my day doing photo shoots - I want to relax and smile naturally x

At the end of the day, I think, the love will show through in each and every picture, and wether amateur or professional will be a brill picture and build a great album.

What do you think ? am I nuts !!!

The advice about the college students sounds sensible. Also why not sign up for the ap on Hitched so that you get everyones photos that they take on their smart phones.

Even if you don't fancy that why not ask all your guests to help take photos, sometimes the 'snaps' they take are nicer than the formal shots. You could then get copies of the ones you like and make up your own album.

Hi hallowedding, thank you so much for thinking of me it's very kind of you and very much appreciated. I have been very lucky in that a local photographer has offered to cover our wedding at a very reduced rate. With the wedding being so close now we have almost paid all our suppliers including tog. I would've liked it doing for free though! Maybe someone else on here with a limited budget might appreciate/ benefit from this offer? Thank you so much again it was lovely of you to think of me x

Glad to hear you're sorted!

I'm really pleased to hear you've sorted a tog and I hope everything else is coming together for you now with it being so close! xx