The most important item get a contractual commitment for the specific photographer tobe assigned to your wedding. Many studios will subcontract a new photographer without telling you in advance.

Spend some time with your prospective photographer. Not the receptionist or sales person but the actual person shooting your wedding. That individual will be with you, RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, most of your wedding day. Their personality must be one you can enjoy for 4 to 8 hours without getting anxious.

A photographer's experience is a much more important thing to consider than pretty picture samples. If you view samples you may be seeing the only good pictures a new or young photographer ever made. You want someone who consistently delivers the KIND of images you want. It is better to hire someone who shows you many consistently average images from a few weddings than someone who shows a handful of awesome images from many weddings.

Be careful of hook terms like... artist, photojournalist, traditionalist, etc.You want someone that can deliver the style or styles you want not just what they may want to give you.

Hire a PROFESSIONAL not a part timer. It will cost more but you are much, much more likely to get what they promise. Shooting weddings is not for the faint of heart it requires a disciplined and honest business person to complete all tasks of shooting, editing, layout and design, production, office detail, customer service, etc. in a timely and professional manner.

You will forget the price you paid for pictures that you love in a very short time. You will never forget the heartache of trying to save some money and buying pictures that you do not like no matter how cheap the price.

Ask any bride who has already been married about her photographer and about her pictures. They are two totally different parts of the whole. Word of mouth referrals are your best bet.