So how do you do that?  How do you find the right person to work with to capture the magic of that day?

There are a lot of people who will photograph weddings.  Some have more experience.  Some are more expensive.  Some are really inexpensive.  They all have different approaches, different packages, different styles.  Where to start?

The best way to begin is to decide what it is that you really want from your photographer.  Some people have simpler needs:  a few pictures, nothing fancy, just a record of the day.  Others have visions of elaborate albums, wall sized enlargements, gift albums for parents.  And then there’s all of the variations in between.

Photographers can be located through a variety of sources, including the Yellow Pages, various bridal publications and special issues of magazines, and through a number of on-line services.

Whether you decide to call different photographers or visit web sites, look for a style that is suited to what you like.  Some photographers are limited in what they can do, others are very versatile and can provide a mix of styles.

Another important aspect is the personality of your photographer.  You will be spending a lot of time with this person, and there will be a lot of interaction with them during the day of your wedding.  One very important thing to find out right away is whether the person you’re talking to is going to be the one who will actually photograph your wedding.  Some photographers will book your wedding and then have someone else do the photography.  This is not always a problem, but you want to know if that is going to happen.

Also, find out is how many photographers will actually be at the wedding.  For smaller weddings with less complex needs, one photographer can adequately do the job.  For larger weddings with expectations of better coverage, two photographers working together can make an enormous difference in what you receive.

Do you want to have an engagement photo session?  This is a great idea because you then have a photo to display at the reception, and if you leave it out of the frame with a mat surrounding it, your guests can sign it and leave their sentiments for your successful marriage.  It’s also a great way to become comfortable with your photographer prior to the wedding.  You’ll get to know each other, and it’ll make for a much more relaxed time on the day of your wedding.

Working with a professional photographer early on in the planning process can also help you make some decisions about the time and place of your wedding.  Things like whether you want photos taken outdoors can be discussed.  Arizona has great weather most of the year, and the temptation is to want a lot of pictures taken outside.  You do want to consider, though, the temperature for the day, and how the sun will affect your photos.  Nothing is worse than spending an hour in the bright sun in the middle of the day only to find that everyone is squinting because the sun is blasting into their faces.  A good photographer can help you pick locations at your wedding site where photos will be more pleasant, and can help you decide if you’re going to be able to get those great outdoor shots that you envision.

There is a lot that goes in to this part of your wedding.  Photographers are very different in what they offer and what they can do.  You need to decide what it is you want in the way of photographs and how important that part of the day is to you.  Don’t expect to get a high end product for a low end price.  A guaranteed way to be disappointed in your wedding photographs is to spend all of your time, energy and budget on the location, dress, cake and flowers, and then at the last minute find the first photographer who will do the job for what you have left over.