Wedding Planning, Part VIII

Selecting the right wedding photographer is another important step of the wedding planning process. Let's be honest here, the difference between a scrapbook filled with fond wedding memories and a depressingly short slideshow of blurry blobs is which photographer you choose to work with. So it is very important that you take a moment to really consider your photography options. Of course, there is no reason to panic over your wedding pictures - selecting the right photographer is a simple process. And today, I'll share with you a few tips that should help you make the right photographer decision.

First, identify the photographers that work in your area. (This can be done by looking in the Yellow Pages, getting recommendations from friends/family/wedding planners/town busybodies, and searching the Internet.) Then, Google search each potential wedding photographer's name to find sample photographs, recommendations, and customer ratings. Doing so will help you narrow the list down by giving you the information you need to eliminate any inexperienced or unprofessional photographers, as well as any porn photographers...

Second, determine exactly what type of photographic services you will be needing. Do you want a wedding video? Do you want photos of just the wedding, or of the entire day – start to finish? Do you want a photographer with a Star Wars themed background for your Princess Leia – themed wedding? Well, not all wedding photographers offer the same services. So visit their websites and see exactly what each photographer is willing to do. Then, narrow down your list of potential photographers some more - excluding any photographers that don't offer what you want.

And third, contact the photographers directly to check for their rates and availability. Chances are - if you're booking a photographer only a month or two in advance of the wedding – you'll probably end up with some hairy guy named Earl and his backpack-full of disposable cameras... So do your research and book early!

I hope that helps. And until next week, good luck with all your wedding plans.