The special day has come, and everything is perfect. You finally managed to fit into your dress, the groom’s tuxedo came back from the dry cleaners, and the flowers showed up on time. As your guests shuffle into the church, you notice something is missing. The room is oddly quiet, and devoid of shutter flashes. Where the heck is the photographer?

Whether your wedding is in the Sonoma Wine Country or at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, hiring a great photographer is an essential component in the success of your ceremony and reception. The shots your professional takes allow you to relive your wedding every day for the rest of your life, accessible at the flick of a wrist. That’s why it’s so important to find someone dedicated to providing the service you deserve.

The Internet provides a great resource to begin your search for a photographer. Most professional wedding photographers have websites that include portfolios, providing a window into their style. Reviewing prior examples of work allows you to get a feel for a photographer before you even meet them.

Before you make your decision, meet with a few different photographers. Equally important to technical skill is personality. Taking pictures with your entire family can be one of the most stressful parts of your wedding. After all, everyone wants to be in every picture! Your photographer should be able to defuse this tense situation with some comedy, or at least a natural confidence that can ease a crowd’s anxiety. A quick laugh will also make for more natural photos, something that everyone in the album will appreciate. Each image should convey the joy of the day.

By building a solid working relationship with your photographer, you’ll develop a basis of trust. That way, when he or she tells you that the best shot of the day is going to come making snow angels in the sand, you won’t hesitate to run down to the beach. After all, this is their area of expertise. It would be silly to tell your priest or rabbi which prayers to say. If you choose well, your photographer will have honed his craft over the course of several years. This training shows it’s worth the moment you open your photo album.

Many wedding photographers also offer videography. Many couples make use of this service to preserve memories to an even greater degree possible than with still images. Video cameras can capture twirling on the dance floor, that perfect champagne toast, and the cutting of the first piece of cake. While this obviously comes with an additional price tag, in many cases the benefits outweigh the cost. Package deals often bring the price down significantly.

Whether you choose videography or not, place the most emphasis on finding a photographer you can trust. Building a great relationship with a professional means you can be sure that on your big day, the pictures will reflect the incredible happiness present throughout the event.