Reputation First
A good professional photographer's reputation will quite often precede him or her. You could ask friends or acquaintances to recommend one, or you could begin by visiting various studios and asking to see samples of work which should always be available on request. A professional photographer puts his reputation on trial each time he photographs a wedding, so a reputable one will usually be conscientious, helpful, unobtrusive and experienced.

If your selected photographer belongs to a professional organisation, such as the I.P.P.A. he or she may charge slightly more for the services provided. This can, however, be to your advantage should anything go wrong. If you have any future difficulties or complaints concerning the work done for you, you then have the option of filing a complaint with the organisation the photographer belongs to, and gain satisfaction from doing so. These organisations ensure that there is a high standard among such professionals. If you are dealing with a firm of photographers operating under a group name, the person you discuss arrangements with may not be the same person who arrives on your wedding day to take the pictures. While there is indeed greater security in dealing with such firms, as there will always be someone available to show up no matter what, you may nonetheless well prefer to know your photographer personally in advance.

A Suitable `Package
Packages on offer by studios can vary significantly, as can prices. The items which constitute a package can also vary from place to place. For example, the number of photographs, sizes of prints and type of finish available can be considerably different from one photographer to the next, as can the quality of the binding and the price of your wedding album. Some studios will offer a free album with a wedding package. In the finished wedding album, a standard service should include the following items -

• The Best Man & Groom awaiting the Bride
• The Arrival of the Bride
• The Marriage Ceremony (permission granted)
• Signing of the Register
• Couple leaving the Church
• Couple & Bride's Parents
• Couple & Grooms Parents
• The Couple with the Bestman & Bridesmaids
• Bride's Family with Couple
• Grooms Family with Couple
• The Couple with their close friends
• Bridesmaids & Attendants
• Couple at the Reception
• The Cake Cutting Ceremony

Costs and Options
You can, of course, arrange to have additional group photographs taken, if required, say with grandparents or godparents. If the bride wishes to have an individual photo taken, this can be arranged just after she has dressed for the wedding, or before she sets out for the church. Many photographers now also offer a budget service, which may include a selection of ten or twelve shots. There is also available an exclusive service, consisting of around three dozen or so selected shots. You may be able to get a good deal on extra services, such as duplicates and enlargements for family members, friends, and perhaps for members of the bridal party. Try to calculate the cost of these extras before ordering, as the overall cost can mount up very quickly.

Quality & Binding
The final cost of your wedding album will depend to a large extent upon the binding you choose for your photographs. The album can be bound in strong board, in simulated or real leather, or even in carved wood. You can have it embellished in gold, if you wish. Remember, it is the quality of the photographs contained within the binding that is important.

Specialised Wedding Services
Within the sphere of wedding photography there are a limited number of professionals offering alternatives to mainstream or traditional albums. It is possible to have your wedding photographed and presented in a narrative (or story) form in a customised album, rather than as an album containing a selection of formal photographs. These highly skilled representations of your wedding have the advantage of portraying the warmth of relationships on the day in a natural way, of capturing funny or unusual events, and of not obstructing the flow of your wedding day, as few (or none) of the shots are 'posed'. When such an album is in black and white, it has the further advantage of heightened atmosphere and a timeless quality that may be enjoyed for generations to come.

Weather Report
The weather may be a deciding factor as to where you wish photographs to be taken. If you are planning to have pictures taken outside, do be sure to have an alternative place planned indoors, just in case! There is a taped weather report available each day from the Irish Meteorological Office from 9am to 9pm at 01-8424411 (Leinster Area), or see under Meteorological Services in your local Telephone Directory. This will give you some idea of what to expect, but as we all know, nothing is certain where the weather is concerned. So watch the birdie !