1. Book “The Person” not “The Company.” This will guarantee experience, quality and the reassurance that you will be working with the same professional from beginning to end.

2. Make sure the photographer is insured. This becomes very important when very expensive equipment is exposed to a large group of very happy people.

3. Prepare a list of family formal photographs to be taken at the church or an alternate location. The photographer should review this list with you at the final meeting prior to the wedding.

4. Prepare a list of extended family groupings and informal groups (ie. college friends, high school friends, work friends, clubs, etc.) The photographer should review this list with you at the final meeting prior to the wedding.

5. Make sure the photographer will accommodate additional request (during the reception) from you, your families and the wedding party.

6. Make sure the photographer is unobtrusive and has the ability to capture the details and spontaneity of your wedding.

7. Prepare one schedule for the pre-ceremony, ceremony, and reception. If the wedding and/or reception are to take place outdoors, you must have a back up plan for rain. The same schedule should be given to all the vendors. The photographer should review the schedule to make sure that appropriate time has been included for the formal and informal groups.

8. Contact the church or alternate location and ask their policy regarding photography before, during and after the ceremony. Inquire as to how much time is allowed after the ceremony for formal photographs.

9. Meet with the photographer three to four weeks prior to the event to go over the final plans.

10. Inform the family members and wedding party in advance to remain after the ceremony for the formal photographs.

11. Make sure the limo company is flexible if the schedule in running late (as it often does!).

12. Finally, some advice from the bride and groom: The day before the wedding spend an hour or two alone and go for a walk, to a gym, a spa, or do anything which helps you relax!

If you follow these twelve tips you and your fiancé can look forward to photographs which will capture the family, wedding party, friends and the spontaneity of your wedding celebration!