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This is most likely the first time you've employed a photographer for an event...and it's a pretty important event at that! Here's a few tips to remember when deciding who will make your wedding last a lifetime.

What's your Style?
Before you get started think about what type of photographs you like. Contemporary? Natural? Traditional? Editorial? Candid? Posed?

Also, think about what kind of photographer you'd like...one that blends into the crowd or a photographer who manages the show?

Setting the Tone
Think about how you'd like colour to seep through. Do you like black and white, colour or sepia photographs? While emotional moments seem to best be captured using black and white or sepia, a sunset, a bridesmaids dress, your makeup or your gown will show optimal detail using colour. Most people have a mixture of the lot, but make sure you specify your preferences to your photographer and confirm whether they use all three.

Get Recommendations
Ask your married friends who they used for their wedding and whether they think they would be right for you. See what they thought of their mannerisms, style of photographs and whether they were pleased with the number of shots taken throughout the day.

Reference Check
When meeting or talking with a photographer, ask to see their work from weddings they have done in the past. Look out for whether or not they captured the feelings of the day and if the style of shots is what you are looking for. If you really want to make sure they are the one for you, ask to see weddings they shot at a similar type of venue and at a similar time of day. Finally, ask to see both the album and the proofs, so you can find out how they put together albums and see the range of shots they typically take from start to finish. 

Read the Fine Print
Make sure you read through the contract in detail (see the The Photographer Contract tip for more information) to ensure you don't get any surprises or disappointments on or after the day.

Be a Glutton
When it comes to ordering proofs, overestimate how many you'd like for your album. This is not a time to be frugal or stingy - if you like a photo, order it! It's better to have an album with too many pages than one that's disappointingly thin.

Give Your Guests the Snaps
Most photographers these days will provide you with an online slideshow of your proofs. See if the photographer will allow you to invite your guests to visit this site and order prints themselves, as opposed to doing it through you.

Negatives Last a Lifetime
After you've selected your proofs, some photographers will have the negatives if they have shot the wedding "traditionally". Find out how long they are archived, and whether you ever have the opportunity to actually buy the negatives. This will make it much easier if you decide long after the wedding that you wish you'd ordered that "shot by the water" or "the photo of you and Cousin Carrie".

Package Makes Perfect
Make sure you work out the best package for you and your family. Discuss with the photographer their list of pre-designed packages, but by all means enquire as to whether you can build a custom package that will suit your style and budget.