Do I have to get Bridal Portraits?

I've been to several weddings, and at the majority of them, there were bridal portraits. I'm getting married this June, and I'm not sure if i want to get them. It's not about the money, I'm sure I could budget it in, plus i have a photographer friend that will take them for $50.
I just don't see the point.
so what's everyone's opinion on them?

I didn't have any done, and don't regret it at all. You'll have lots of photos from your wedding day, and those will mean so much more to you.

no its up to you and your husband

if your friend is willing then go for it- they'll prolly be just as good AND you can make as many copies as you want

They are included for free in my photography package for my wedding so I am going to do them. Also, I think that I am going to use it as the "guest book" as I have seen at many other weddings. My parents have a traditional guest book and never look at it, but if I have the guests sign the border around the picture, I can put it up somewhere in the house and have just another reminder of the people who came to share in my special day.

I think you'll regret not having at least one nice fancy pic of your wedding day to hang. My dad got remarried last year and my new step-mom is sad that she doesn't have a really good one to hang. You dont have to go crazy. Just a few pics.

I didn't have any done, and I don't regret it. I didn't see a purpose either. I had lots of non-posed pictures taken before, during, and after the wedding.

I dont realy see need for them, unless they are the only pictures you decide to have at your wedding (some people hire a profesional crew and then cameras arnt permitted)

So unless you have a peticular use in mind for them in mind right now(for example would you want to blow them up and post them in a specail room? some people do this lol) there is no need.

Have your friend do it or hire a freelancer. I found mine at guru.com saved thousands of dollars had all my pics digital on disk, no hassle.

Congratulations! Good for you not falling for every little wedding scam. Everyone wants those bridal bucks honey! Save them for the honeymoon!

I like things to be very natural. I did not have a formal bridal portrait done and I don't regret it one bit! I don't like the look of staged photos. We had engagement pictures taken at a local park and those are lovely and then we just had our photos done on the day of the wedding. Our photographer was phenomenal and I wouldn't trade our photos for the world.

They are a Southern tradition but by no means required. If you're not from the South, most brides don't get any done. That said, I don't see that they are necessary.

Regardless of the money, I believe they are a MUST. Once the wedding is over, this is all you have. I know my sister still regrets not bothering 25 years later. And, if you have children, what a treasure for them to see you on your wedding day! For me, these are the things I consider most important: a wonderful dress that looks great, a great reception location and meal, photography....all the rest.

I'm going to get a photographer friend to take pictures for me. She'll give me them all digitally so I can print what I want whenever. Her camera is digital/SLR so she'll also have the negatives. I'm going to pay her $100. All the photographers I've talked to want $1,000. I figured why not? If I decide I want a picture later, I'll have one. If I don't, I'm not really out any money as she'll be taking all kinds of pictures and I know I'll use the candid ones. Better to do it in case you decide you want them later.

Well, I'm from the Northeast and bridal portraits aren't popular here. I've never seen them at weddings up here.

However, I do know what the concept is and I think it's a bit wasteful. After all, if you are having a professional photographer at your wedding; why do you need to take pictures before? Just silly to me.

Also, I think it's much more fair to the groom and more equal to do Engagement Photos. Plus, engagement photos (E-pics) are much more useful. I've seen Save the Date cards made with them, Customized Thank You Notes w/ the E-pics. In addition, they can be used as your Christmas Card photos. Also, I've seen the B&G have their engagment photos printed into a guest book for people to sign at the reception. Also, some people will have an engagement photo enlarged in black and white. They will then display the photo an their reception and have guests sign in and give well-wishes. After the wedding, the photo will be framed and the bride and groom can hang it in their home.

E-pics just seem so much more useful the bridal photos.

Bridal photos just make it all about the bride. A wedding is NOT all about the bride, it's about the bride and groom equally.

I live in Chicago and no one here even knows what those are. I didn't know about them until my friend got married in North Carolina and had them. If you don't want it, don't get it.

I didn't get them, and don't see the point.

I don't see the point of them either. The last wedding I attended the bride had portraits done of just her and to be blunt about it...it made her look narcissistic with all these pictures of her in her dress...one by the door, one by the cake, one by the punch. It was crazy. I want beautiful pictures from the wedding, but not of just me at the wedding.