I’m assuming you mean they are getting legally married, just not having an expensive ceremony and reception aka a wedding. (You do not need a wedding to get married everybody!)

Wedding ceremonies and receptions cost ALOT of money and can cause ALOT of family drama. If all you want is to be with your fiancé, look pretty, and have pictures to show your kids later down the road I think this is a perfect option. I might actually steal it. ha!

I’ve told my fiancé numerous times, I don’t care where, when, or how we get married just as long as I have my dress. I want to feel beautiful when I marry him. That doesn’t necessarily mean I want to feel beautiful in front of 100+ people just so I can have "non-fake" wedding memories (pictures).

And saving the money for a honeymoon, just on them two, sounds perfect to me as well! Why spend the money on chairs, tables, and flowers, etc, when you can have an extra week in paradise! Whoo Hoo!

To get some quotes from photographers in your area, try looking at Decidio.com and Eventective.com… they have been helpful to clients of mine in the past.

Good luck!

Leave the sanctuary and your hubby has all of his done with everyone except for you….

That way when the ceremony is over…the only pictures needed will be with you and your husband and wedding party…

Your guest won’t have to wait soooo….. long for you to appear at your reception!

Best wishes!

XXXX

– Manage their expectations- make sure you stress to them that the photos might not come out very well and encourage them to hire a pro. ALso remind them if you are photographing, you won’t be able to participate in any way. Kind of tough since you are related to the groom.

– Whatever equipment you are using – make sure it will work in low light. If you are using an SLR or DSLR, a fast prime (e.g. 50mm 1.8) is worth having and doesn’t cost that much. Many churches forbid flash during the ceremony, so you will have to either push your film or shoot at high ISO on a digital with a fast lens.

– If you are using a camera other than an SLR/DSLR, make sure it will do all right in low light from a noise perspective. Many prosumer and point and shoot digicams are really noisy above ISO 400.

– Practice with your flash and if you don’t have a flash – get one. You might also look into a cheap flash bracket (I like flip frame for about $50)

– Learn as much as you can about the ceremony before hand, check out the venue, go to the rehearsal, think about where you will be and when.

– Browse the many wedding sites on the web – look at what sorts of pictures they have – think about what you will need to do to get those shots.

Here are some sites with more info:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/other-articles/wedding-photography.htm

http://wwwcaen.kodak.com/CA/en/consumer/guideToBetterPictures/next/index.jhtml?style=&cat=11&subCat=15

http://shutterbug.com/refreshercourse/family_tips/0605back/

http://wiki.ehow.com/Photograph-Weddings-As-an-Amateur

http://www.all-things-photography.com/wedding-photo-tips-for-amateurs.html

Have fun!