full disclosure: not a wedding photographer
Let me be clear, I am not a wedding photographer, but I do have knowledge of the industry and having been a bride myself, I know it can be tricky to find what you are looking for, but more important than that I know there are probably many brides and grooms out there who don't even know what they are looking for. Sometimes the hardest part about making big decisions is knowing what questions to ask, and that is where I come in. I have narrowed it down to 3 main questions you should ask when hiring a photographer for any event, but especially for your wedding.
BUDGET
Like nearly everything in this life, the first question that should be asked is "how much am I willing to spend?". This is entirely up to you, but it is something that needs to be taken into consideration. Photographers can charge a lot, and for good reason, but be aware of prices when you are looking. When I was shopping around for a photographer to shoot my wedding, I came to the realization that a inexpensive/unseasoned photographer can make an expensive wedding look cheap, but a good photographer (who is likely more expensive) can make a cheap wedding look extravagant. This is why I decided to put the bulk of my budget towards my photos. In 2019 (the year I was married) the average wedding budget in the United States was $28,000. My entire wedding cost only a fraction of that, so try not to be discouraged if your budget is small and seems difficult to work with, I promise you that you can have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank. The question you need to ask yourself is what you want to prioritize, and what you are willing to go without. For me, I was not willing to skimp on pictures, but I did have to make many other sacrifices to accommodate that. This was a decision that was hard at the time I made it, but I haven't regretted it since. At the end of the day your photos are one of the few souvenirs you have left of your wedding day, keep that in mind.
YOUR WEDDING STYLE
Once you have come up with a suitable budget, look up photographers in your area (or ones who travel to your area, if your budget allows) and find the ones whose styles most match your wedding style. Maybe you want bright and timeless photos, but maybe you are are more into the dark and moody style. My #1 suggestion, however, is to be aware of current photography trends and ask yourself "how will I feel about my wedding photos in 20 years if I go with a photographer who has a trendy style?". For example, my photographer has a great editing style, that enhances the colors of photos, but is sure to keep skin tones and hues accurate. This is important! So many photographers these days have a distinct editing style that changes the colors of photos completely and it can really alter the natural look of the photo, if this is truly something you like, then you should certainly go for it! It is your wedding day, and your decision! Just keep in mind that trends change, and 10 or 20 years down the road, you may not want your photos looking the same way you wanted them looking initially.
AN EYE FOR DETAILS
After deciding on the first two criteria, you probably will have narrowed down your list quite a bit, this is where you need to be really picky. Look at the websites and social media pages of the remaining photographers you have selected, and keep in mind that photographers only post the best of their photos online, so I suggest asking them if you can view a full gallery of one of their past clients or styled shoots. Look closely for details, e.g. hair in the subjects face, posture of subjects, awkward hand placements, unflattering angles, etc. I have always said that good photographers use photoshop to adjust images after they are taken, but better photographers adjust images before they are taken. You want a photographer who has an eye for detail and is good with instructions. The best photographers I have worked with are constantly mindful of how the subject looks and have no issue with telling the bride that there is something in her teeth, or the groom that his shirt is untucked. If you are going to be spending money on something you have every right to be fussy about even the tiniest details, but keep in mind that it is very unlikely that you will love 100% of your photos, so try not to be overly critical of their work. Photography is a skill that takes years to develop, remember that! It is unfair to judge a photographer based on a wedding they shot 5 years previous, chances are they have gotten much better in the meantime.
lastly...
Once you have chosen a photographer, remember to communicate with them. Your photographer should do the best they can to deliver photos that you love, but they cannot read your mind. If there is a moment you want captured a specific way or at a certain angle, just ask them! They are likely more than willing to help get the shots that are most important to you. Last but not least, please remember to be considerate and patient with your photographer on the day of your event and as you wait for them to send you your photos. Often photographers make their job look much easier than it is.
P.S.
The wedding photos included in this post are my own, taken by the incredible Gideon Photography. If you are looking for a wedding photographer with timeless style and excellent results, he is your guy.