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1. Start looking early: As soon as the date and location are chosen, it is time to find a photographer. Booking early will ensure you will get who you want, and will lock in a price.  How early? I generally book weddings six months to one year in advance.

2. Go with experience: We all get better with experience. Confidence, technical skills, professionalism, poise, and the ability to work quickly and efficiently all come with experience. With all other things being equal, you are much better off with a photographer who has done 30 weddings than one who has done three. To date, I have photographed over 300 weddings.

3. Be guide-wary: You have probably already found that everything, from wedding dresses to reception halls, is more expensive than you had expected. Wedding guides and websites that offer sample budgets use national averages and old data for their examples of how much you should spend on each portion of your event.  Wedding services, just like wages and rent, vary greatly from region to region. Your budget will have to reflect the reality of where you live, no matter what the magazines say.

4. Go for quality rather than quantity: Once you find out how expensive a wedding can be, you may have to establish which services are most important.  It is better to have fewer high quality services rather than lots of second rate ones. Do you really need a band, a DJ and a mariachi?  As photography is more important than video, you are much better off getting one high quality photographer rather than a budget photographer so that you can also afford a videographer.

5. Hire a professional: Photography is the second most important thing in your wedding (next to your sweetheart, of course), so never trust it to your cousin who happens to take nice snapshots. Many elements go into making a wedding photographer: a good eye and photographic skills, yes, but also experience, leadership ability, very specialized equipment, the knowledge to be in the right place at the right time, and artistic vision.

6. Make sure you know who your photographer will be: Some studios are run “Supercuts Style”, with a stable of photographers working for them. Often you don’t even know who will actually be photographing your wedding! Also, these types of studios are never honest about showing you the work of only that photographer. You are seeing a “greatest hits” collection from ALL of the photographers. I hear many sad stories from couples who hire photographers this way, then have terrible experiences.

7. Use yours eyes: Most of what you need to know about photographers will be found in their photos. A good photograph should look spontaneous as well as beautifully composed. The images should look effortless and un-posed, yet capture the moment and the personality of the people in them. They should have uncluttered backgrounds, be technically perfect, and portray the excitement of the day. They should ”talk” to you.

8. Use your ears: Does the photographer answer your questions adequately and confidently? Does he or she listen to your concerns? Is he well spoken, polite, and patient? Is he just trying to sell you stuff? A photographer who is overbearing or pushy may be more concerned with making sales than creating great images.

9. Look for clear and transparent pricing: Do you understand the packages or services? Beware of photographers quoting prices off the top of their heads. Insist on everything in writing, and in a signed contract – this will avoid disputes and misunderstanding about just what is included, and not included, in your package.

10. Ask about hidden fees: Many photographers have add-ons, fees and additional expenses that are not included in the quoted price, like, travel fees, multiple location fees, proof fees, online posting fees, etc. Just like when buying a car, ask for the “out the door” price.

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11. Insist on seeing the real thing: Make sure you see actual samples of the products you are buying. There are proof books, folios, presentation and preview books, and wedding albums: these are all different things. Some photographers try to pass off proof books as real wedding albums. Make sure you see what will come in your package.

12. Don’t meet too many photographers: I am not afraid of competition, but I think that meeting with 12 photographers is not a good idea. You will not be able to keep your recollections of their work straight, and, will quickly burn out on the whole process. Use the techniques below to help you narrow your search.

13. Pre-qualify your photographer: Most photographers have websites or brochures with samples of their work. Find out if their style is what you are looking for before meeting with them in person. This can save you lots of time, energy and headaches.

14. Know what you are looking for: Do you want fantasy-like images, or very gritty, news-type images? Do you like very casual, un-posed photos, or traditional, formal photos? Photos with the subjects always looking at the camera, or ones with the subjects seemingly unaware of the photographer? Do you want photos that show every single guest at the wedding, or a more personal story of the bride and groom? Settling these issues in your mind will help you to find a photographer who fits the style you prefer, and shorten your list of candidates.

15. Ask how soon you will get your photos: For some reason, some studios take forever to deliver photos. Ask how soon you will get yours, and if the delivery time can be guaranteed.

16. Beware of technical misinformation: Some wedding magazine writers, who know little about photography make statements such as, “the best photographers use a combination of film and digital”. This is complete nonsense. A photographer who uses film, for instance, may tell you that digital is inferior, and vise versa. The truth is, both can deliver excellent results in the right hands. There is no better quality test than just looking at the photographer’s work. A professional photographer is an artist who will choose the tools that best work for him.

17. Ask if the photographer belongs to any professional organizations: Their answer to this question will tell you about their commitment to the profession. The biggest and most prestigious organizations are: Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). Ask if they go to the trade shows and seminars of these groups in order to keep up with new technology, trends, products and styles.

18. Ask where the photographer learned the trade: Did the photographer learn his skills by working for another photographer, going to school, or flipping through pop photo magazines. I am a Brooks Institute of Photography alum, and with an Master of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts: no one ever doubts my credentials as a photographic artist. Asking these questions will separate the hobbyists and amateurs from the true professionals.

19. Trust your instincts: Do you feel comfortable with the photographer, or does he or she seem pushy. Is he listening to you, or telling you what you need and want? A photographer who is impatient and bossy in the studio will be even more so at the wedding. On the other hand, a photographer with a meek personality will not have the presence to organize and conduct group photo sessions. Your photographer needs both patience and confidence to be effective. Above all, do you like the photographer?

20. Book the date ASAP: After you have done the research, gone through this list, and found someone you like that fits your budget, book the date. This always requires some form of deposit or retainer. With photographers, it is first come, first served. You could decide upon a photographer, wait a couple of weeks before booking the date, then find that your date has been taken. If this happens, you will be starting this process all over again!

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21. Trust your photographer: If you have hired a photographer using the guidelines listed above; congratulations! The chances are good that you have found someone who will deliver just the type of images you are looking for. The key to great wedding photographs is mutual trust and respect: choose someone who inspires you; clarify your expectations in advance, and allow enough time for the photographs you want. Make sure you feel comfortable, not self-conscious, in front of the photographer you hire, and the rest will be magic.

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1. Call me: If you have ideas, concerns, worries…if you just want to chat; give me a call. Send me pictures from websites or magazines that you like; these will give me insights into your ideals, your hopes and your dreams

2. Trust me: Don’t be afraid to be emotional, tender or goofy; you are supposed to be!  I will make you look your best – I promise!

3. Delegate responsibilities: Most of your friends and family will be happy to handle tasks related to the wedding. Don’t be a martyr…give those around you something to do. Doing this will help you to avoid bridal meltdown.

4. Exercise: There is no better stress buster than exercise.  You don’t have to do hour long aerobics classes at the gym, just short, brisk walks will do. Especially take a walk the day before, or the morning of, the wedding.

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5. Consider a professional make-up artist: A professional knows how to apply make up that looks best on camera, and what will hold up best all day.  Professionally applied make up often looks more natural than self applied make up; and it is not as expensive as you may think.

6. Skip the drive-through: I am not talking about dieting to lose weight; just eating well to feel and look better. Your skin will have a healthier, more radiant glow after even a short diet of fresh foods.  Also, keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

7. Get plenty of sleep: If you are tired, you will look tired. Delegate tasks to others, and you will be able to get everything done, and still get the rest you need.

8. Appoint a photo wrangler: Find a trusted friend or family member who can round up everyone for the group photos. Make sure they realize this is an important job, and give them your list.  Do not try to do this yourself!

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9. Pamper yourself: Get a massage, a facial, a manicure and pedicure. You deserve it, and will feel prettier and sexier as well.

10. Assemble an emergency kit: Have a bridal party member keep this kit close at all times. It should have: bobby pins, safety pins, needle and thread, stain remover pads, nail polish, aspirin, band-aids, etc.  I once fixed a torn wedding dress with duct tape just minutes before a ceremony!  Also, have bottled water and snacks in the dressing room.

11. Do a “dress rehearsal”: Don’t assume everything will fit or go together as planned; in fact, it is common for something to not work as planned. It is better to know if something is wrong a week before, rather than the day of the wedding.

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12. Be a star: Tell yourself you are a movie star going to the academy awards. Strut your stuff! This is your day to be the center of attention; everyone expects it, everyone wants it, especially me.

13. Strike a pose: Here are some basic model tricks. Think slinky, think sexy S curves under your dress. Turn one shoulder to the camera, so that your body is at a 45-degree angle to me. Put your weight on your back leg and slide your front leg forward, bending your front leg slightly. Practice this at home in front of a mirror until it seems natural.

14. Use the fake it law: Remember that the mind follows the body. Even if you feel extremely nervous, act as if you are confident and in complete control, and you will eventually feel that way. In other words, fake it until it becomes reality. It really works!

15. Get a glow: For arms, shoulders and neckline use a body lotion with a sheen. The shiny ones usually have tiny glittery flakes in them, and may be a bit greasy-feeling, but they leave a soft glow that makes your skin come alive.  All professional models use this trick; give it a try!

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16. Wear comfortable shoes: With most wedding dresses, no one can see your shoes.  Many brides pick sexy, stiletto-heeled shoes that become painful after a couple of hours. It is difficult to look relaxed and radiant when your feet are throbbing.  At least bring a more comfortable pair for the reception.

17. Be the calm in the storm: There will be a storm around you all day, but strive to breathe deeply, relax, and enjoy yourself.  Take in all the sights and sounds.  Slow down.  Be in the now: enjoy every moment.  It will show in the photos.

18. Don’t sweat the details: In every wedding, there is something that goes wrong; but unless it is something major, no one will know the difference.  Don’t let a small detail that isn’t perfect ruin your day.

19. Smile: Your face should be in pain by the end of the day from smiling so much.  Even when you are worrying about stepping on your dress, dropping the bouquet, and everything else… SMILE as big and radiantly as you can.  Dig deep for that joy you feel inside and project it to all your guests (and the camera).

20. Be a Flirt: Flirt with your new husband through the photographs.  Be saucy, sexy and confident.  Allow your energy to flow through to the camera.  Above all, have fun, laugh and smile…you will be beautiful!

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