I took exactly four posed photos at my wedding, so that we could get pictures of us with our family, and I don't regret it. The photos were taken by friends with some wedding photography experience and professional equipment.

I am one of those people (rare nowadays, I know) who prefers to live my life rather than watch it later on video. I also don't really want to show off or see staged-looking pictures of a Hollywood-style photo shoot (complete with professional make-up and hair and costumes) held on one of the busiest days of my life. For the most part, I don't look "great" in my wedding pictures. I look how I normally look when I get dressed up. I did my own hair and makeup, and I started to look a bit "wilted" after a few hours, and the pictures show what really happened. Why do most Americans want to pretend that they are Hollywood royalty on their wedding day? Who wants to be at an extended photo shoot while your wedding guests drink the booze and eat the food you spent a small fortune on?

Six years after the weddng I carry around pictures of my kids, which people do occassionally ask to see. Nobody but my kids has ever asked to look at my wedding photos since the first year we are married. The photos from our wedding that we care about are the ones of loved ones who have since died.

If you are getting married, get a few posed shots, try not to spend a fortune, and enjoy as much of your guests as you can.