Wedding Cost

I’m looking at wedding photographer costs and many charge according to how much time they will be there for. How long do people recommend and how much should that cost? I don’t need the getting ready pics, its a catholic wedding (mass), and we have the reception venue for 5 hours and I haven’t figured out how much time to put between the ceremony and reception (advice on this would be appreciated as well). Any thoughts on how long?

We are probably going to pay $1000-$1500 for 3-5 hours, and it’s a really hefty package in terms of what we get (portraits, prints, proof album, CD and licensing). I figured we’d just get pictures for the ceremony, and then the key moments at the reception and send them on their way. We’d like pictures of the rest of the day too but we are perfectly capable of taking those sorts of shots ourselves, when you’re on a budget you really only need a professional for the key moments and portraits if you want them. Your relatives with digital cameras I’m sure would happily supplement your professional shots for your wedding album.

My parents don’t have any wedding pictures but a portrait of them together after the ceremony, and one of my older sister who was the flower girl. They hang together in our family room and they’ve never lamented about it, the amount of photos you need really depends on you.