The Photographer - 9 months before

Pay particular attention to the selection of your bridal photographer. After the cake is eaten and the flowers fade, your wedding photographs, above all else, will preserve the memories of the big day. You only get one chance for these snapshots; make sure you choose a photographer whose talent and work habits you trust.

A good basic package can cost $1,000, but you can easily spend three or four times that amount for a high-demand photographer with assistants. You’re paying for his or her time at your wedding, hours spent developing your pictures, and the finished product — the prints and albums you order. If your budget’s tight, hire your photographer for just the ceremony and an hour at the reception, perhaps. Keep prints simple; special treatments like sepia tones (which create an antique look), multiple exposures and split frames cost more because they require more darkroom work. And go solo — photographers who work with assistants generally cost more.

Ask recently married friends how many pictures their photographer took (or how many proofs they received) and whether that number was sufficient, so you’ll have a frame of reference when you talk to your photographer.

Look at pictures the photographer shot at a previous wedding to see if he or she connected with the couple and captured the mood of their day. If possible, ask to see a proof book. This “raw” work can speak volumes.

Some contracts spell out the studio’s right to send any staff photographers to your wedding — don’t sign if that’s not acceptable to you. Some also reserve the exclusive right to photograph your wedding, leaving Uncle John out in the cold. Read your contract carefully.

Don’t underestimate. You may think you don’t need many pictures, but chances are that once you see the proofs, you’ll want more than you thought you did. Err on the side of too many prints.

If you order prints for family and friends, be sure everyone knows the price per print — or prepare to tack additional fees onto your final tab. Order parents’ and guests’ prints when you order your own — you’ll avoid reorder fees.

Choose a photo pro whom you feel extremely comfortable with and don’t mind inviting backstage. Some of the most beautiful wedding moments happen while the bride is dressing, while the family is waiting, or during the reception when the couple steals away for a kiss. Keep your photographer aware of your whereabouts at (almost) all times.