If you know what you want and what you can afford, you can find the right wedding photographer to make your wedding a memorable event!

If you are planning a wedding and wondering whether you should hire a professional wedding photographer to take your wedding photos, there are some things you should consider.

If you have a friend who is a GREAT photographer or a professional photographer, you might be tempted to ask your friend to take your pictures, thinking you will save some money.

This CAN be a success if you and your friend plan all the details and if you let your friend know exactly what you want and do not want and when you want her/him to be involved and when you want him to stay out of the way.

Everyone has a different preference for what wedding photographs they want and how inconspicuous they want the wedding photographer to be, so be sure you talk in detail about what you want. If your friend has NEVER done wedding photos before, you should consider a professional wedding photographer.

You only have one shot at this and you don't want to be a guinea pig! If your friend HAS taken wedding photographs before, ask to see them so you know what you will be getting in the bargain. You don't want to end a good friendship over poor or missing pictures.

If you are hiring a professional photographer, be sure you get to see his/her portfolio and go over the details of what you want. Tell him where and when the wedding is and be sure he has directions to the service and reception so that you aren't waiting for him to arrive! Ask about the equipment he has. What if it rains the day of the wedding? Can he accommodate that? Does he also take video or just 35 mm pictures?

Get some references and call to ask about the experience these other couples had. Was the wedding photographer professional and polite with guests and the bridal party? Was she too pushy or obvious in taking her pictures? Did she get all the special shots she promised?

Ask the prospective wedding photographer how he develops his pictures (does he have his own lab, does he use a professional lab?) and how long it will be before you get your proofs of the pictures from which you will choose your final selection.

TRY to get a contract from the wedding photographer that puts all of this in writing. From the timing of the shots, to the payment schedule (don't pay the entire fee upfront), you should have a written agreement in case anything goes wrong.

Think about what it would be like if this photographer does not fulfill his end of the bargain and you do NOT get the pictures of your wedding. Make you sure you understand the FULL cost, when deposits and final payments are due, what packages you can choose, how many pictures you will get, and get it all in the contract.

Meet and talk to several wedding photographers and companies before you choose the one you want. Hiring a wedding photographer is not an impersonal decision. This person will have to care about what you want and genuinely try to fulfill your expectations. He will also interact with the guests and the bridal party, so you want someone who suits your style and preferences.

Be sure that you understand whether the person you meet is the person you will have on the day of the wedding. If you are contracting a large wedding photography business, and there are other photographers, you should meet the photographer who will actually take your wedding photographs.

The cost of a wedding photographer will vary widely depending on the area of the country in which you live and the prevailing rate for wedding photographers in that area.

Price will also depend on the size of your wedding, what you want in the way of posed and casual photographs, how many photographers are going to be working at the wedding, etc. You can pay from $1,000 to $20,000 so be sure you know what you want and WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD!

In addition, you will pay between $20.00 and $50.00 for reprints. Regardless of where you live, you can plan to spend, on average, between 10% and 20% of your total budget on your pictures.