The hard part is over, right? You’ve asked “the question.” You’ve chosen a date, picked a location, and chosen a band. Now all that remains are a few minor details before you can, at long last, take the plunge. Right?

If you’re like most couples we meet, the next item on your list is your wedding photographer. It can’t be that hard… “I live in Hampshire… how many wedding photographers could there be?” The answers is probably more than you think. How do you find them? And once you have, how do you choose the right one for you?

Some claim they will travel internationally for destination weddings, others claim to be “Award-winning wedding photographers. Others dangle low prices. So what matters most?

1. Start by making a list.

If there are many wedding photographers in your area, don’t assume that they will all do a job that you’ll be happy with. Start with a bunch of names, and look at their work… who does work that resonates with you? Whose work clicks with your vision of the day? If you love funky/artsy photography, then those photographers primarily offering traditional wedding portraiture probably shouldn’t go on your list, and vice versa.

Remember, the important thing is to get a good idea of what’s out there and compile a decent list of names that you’d feel comfortable with.

2. Narrowing down the list.

Once you have a fair number of names in front of you, it’s time to start crossing some off.

There are several factors that go into choosing a wedding photographer and every couple will have different priorities at the top. How good is their work? What sort of albums and prints do they offer? What do they cost? Are they an established businesses, or are they just starting out?

3. Arrange a meeting.

After all this work, now is the time to meet your preferred wedding photographer. Give them a call and set up a time to sit down face to face, go over some more of their work, and get to know each other. You’ll want to see what their albums look like, talk about their packages, and get a vibe for how they’ll tackle your wedding day.

You will want to get a sense of their business. Simply put, make sure you’re satisfied with their level of experience and that they have everything in place (insurance? equipment?) to make sure your photography comes off problem-free.

One of the biggest goals for your meeting should be to get a sense of their personality. You’ll have your photographer near you for most of your wedding day, and while some are better than others at blending into the background, choosing someone you enjoy being around will make your day that much more fun and relaxed. Do you click with your photographer? If you do, chances are you’ll love your photos. Does your photographer drive you crazy? If so, you’ll probably remember that every time you look at the images, no matter how good they are.

We can’t wait to meet you!