We went back and forth about it and I am glad we went with a professional.
I liked the fact that Dani was at the event, but clearly separate at the same time, so we have photos that are really wonderful candids that I dont even recall being taken. I look GOOD though.
On the other side of this, we have lovely professionally styled and posed portraits of us and our families and our bridal parties. and we had a photographer that I could simultaneously trust to get the images I wanted and could direct for something different as well without hurting any personal friendships.
Our experiences after the wedding and the experiences of our family and friends who wanted to see the photos online has been marvelous as well.
Dani Weiss is the photographer we used, so if you see her webpage as you are looking around.