Here's a few things that are worth thinking about when choosing your wedding photographer(s):

1. Experience and Education:  Ask about how many weddings they photograph a year, where they went to school, how they got into photographing weddings, etc.  Not only will it give you important information about their background and experience, it will allow you to get to know them a little bit better.

2. Photographic Style:  It's important that you find someone who's work you will love now, and in ten, twenty, thirty years from now.  Beware of the trendy styles that might make you cringe when going through your wedding album with your kiddos.

It's also important for your photographer to be able to photograph your families' formal portraits, not just the fun stuff of the two of you.  A full wedding album should show you some of their formal portrait style, and if it doesn't- make a request to see some.  Any photographer who has any sort of experience can show you bucketloads of family formals (although a few samples should be enough.  Pay attention to the posing, background and lighting to see if you like their choices).

3. Personality:  There's a good chance that you'll spend more time on your wedding day with your photographer than you will with the majority of your family and friends.  They're with you from start to finish, so make sure you want to spend that much time with them on one of the biggest, greatest, funnest days of your life!  Bonus if you totally hit it off and become friends (this happens a lot with myself and my clients, and it's totally fantastic)!!

4. References:  It might be worthwhile to request to speak with a couple (or a couple couples) who your potential photographer has worked with.  You are about to entrust them with your wedding photos-  it's huge! They should totally understand and accommodate your request.  My clients love to refer me and to help out other people who are about to get married and don't mind at all talking to my potential clients.

5. Pricing:  If photos are important to you and your dream photographer is just a bit out of budget, consider shifting things around, taking on some DIY projects to cut costs in other areas, or having a registry set up to help pay for your photography package.  After the wedding day the photos you have will be invaluable and you won't regret the sacrifices you made in other areas to make it happen.

Seeing each other before the wedding has some advantages and disadvantages, and what you decide will be based on your personal priorities and goals for your wedding day.  Here's my take on it: ( I am a little biased towards seeing each other, but I can recognize the value in both approaches to the day...)

Pros:

You get to spend more of your wedding day with each other!  I think that's a really fantastic bonus, especially for brides/groom who derive a great amount of comfort and calmness from having their partner nearby.  A lot of times ceremonies start later in the day, so if you wait to see each other you may spend a good part of your wedding day apart.

You have more time for photos and a more laid back day. If you don't see each other before the ceremony you will most likely spend a good portion of the cocktail hour taking family portraits with the two of you, the entire bridal party and then getting to the photos of the two of you.  This is a lot to accomplish in a short hour or less, so it does become necessary for things to move quickly and may not be the best for the couple that wants to have a slower pace to the day.

You get to attend your cocktail hour, or at least a lot more of it, and spend more time with the friends and family that are there to celebrate with you! (and enjoy the food and drinks that you are sponsoring!)

You have the opportunity to have a first sighting that's more intimate, and share that exciting moment in way that you can't when all of your friends and family are watching you. (I like to step back and let the couple enjoy this time together alone after I've gotten the most important photos.  It's amazing time for the couples to chat privately about their excitement!

The cocktail hour is a great time for your photographer to get portraits of your guests having fun (when they're not dancing).  It's also a perfect opportunity for your photographer to sneak into the reception area and photograph all of the details and the set up while it's empty. 

Cons: 

You don't have that traditional first sighting as the bride is walking down the aisle.  For some this is a very important tradition and something they have dreamed about for their lifetime.

Unless you find a photographer who has an unlimited hours package, it will likely cost more to have your photographer start early (usually an additional hour is needed, sometimes a little less can work if you don't mind using a little of the cocktail hour for some of the portraits of the two of you).

Very often the best lighting of the day (1 hour before sunset to a little after) happens around the same time as the cocktail hour.  When this is the case I always suggest the couple sneak out for a bit to do a few photos of the two of them during this most beautiful light.  

Happy Planning!  xoxo

Let's face it, there aren't enough hours in your wedding day.  A huge part of your planning process will involve determining what's most essential to you (while often taking into consideration the wishes and needs of your family and guests).  Family portraits are an important part of the day (especially if you're asking moms and grandmothers).  In my experience the modern couple wants the portraits as well, but prefers them to be kept to a minimum.  My recommendation is to keep the portrait list to the immediate family if possible and request a few pictures with a selection of your extended family members at the reception or cocktail hour.   Also, to move things along smoothly on your wedding day, make sure that all family who will be included know when and where they need to be for portraits. 

EVENT DESIGNERS AND COORDINATORS

sitting in a tree events  (San Diego but available world wide) i'd hire them to design my wedding, my home, my parties, my life.  i could not possible say enough good things about them.  their style kills me.

bash events  (Los Angeles)  dream coordinator with tons of sass, a killer aesthetic, and a monthly post on one of my most favorite websites designsponge.  Love her, lover her ideas.

lollipop events and design (San Diego) fun, inspiring and colorful. The gals have more imagination in their pinky fingers....

mint julep social events (Los Angeles) - dreamy events with amazing attention to detail.  Stylish, hip and  cutting edge event design...Michelle is amazing!

kate fujimoto event design (Los Angeles) a former fashion designer, Kate's aesthetic is spot on and she is just as sweet as can be! highly recommend her, you will LOVE her wedding style and imagination!

FLOWERS

la partie events Megan is AMAZING.  Seriously, gorgeous floral arrangements.  And she also does event design. LOVE LOVE LOVE: Megan's straightforward approach, unique and innovative design, and ridiculously beautiful floral creations.  

In Palm Springs: Cachet FioreAmazing tablescapes and floral designs....prepare to fall in love with their work with cactus, succulents, and everything else you can dream up.

ENTERTAINMENT

i cannot stress enough how important your dj/band will be to your wedding day!

dj austin hendrix vinyl. need I say more? how about awesome. that should cover it.

the flashdance i want to marry his music I love it so much.

HAIR

Jamie Campbell she is incredibly talented and you will never have more fabulous hair in your life! You can contact her at Denise Barrow Salon and Spa (San Diego). 619 232-2332

MAKEUP

fiore beauty  absolute favorite.  will travel, will make you the most beautiful bride on the planet.  will also make you fall in love with her. 

beauty by solana if you want to look like yourself (only better) and have a great time in your makeup chair on the day of your wedding I HIGHLY recommend Solana. She'll enhance your bridely glow, do the trial run that you need beforehand and make sure that you are thrilled with the final job before she sends you on your way down the aisle. She's tre magnific!

makeup therapy tara is as sweet and fabulous as you could want your makeup artist to be. and she does amazing makeup, listens to you to make sure she's truly executing your vision and will make sure that you are just as beautiful as you should be on your wedding day. she takes such pride in her work, is incredibly professional and will be a guaranteed hit with your bridesmaids!

makeup by davia is incredible, and her make-up will truly ensure that you are the most gorgeous bride in the world. She primarily works on commercial photo-shoots but does wedding make-up on occasion. She's also the sweetest lady you could ever meet.

CATERING

waters catering by far the tastiest wedding fare I've ever enjoyed in San Diego.

coast catering by barry lane Yum Yum Yum.

CAKE (my personal favorite part of the wedding meal)

sweet and saucy shop- cuteness explosion in the cake world! and she makes cupcakes!

INVITATIONS, DESIGN AND LETTERPRESS PRINTING

studio on fire beautimousness. they did my business card- the one that makes people gasp and oooh and ahhhh.

dolci odille killer aesthetic, lovely in every way you could want.

beyond inviting couture beautiful wedding invitations for the classic bride.

WEDDING DRESSES

Monique Lhuillier to-die-for dresses for the bride who wants the Best of the Best.

Sarah Seven dresses for the young, modern bride.

Morgan Le Fay I want one.  *sigh*

Modern Trousseau bridal collection and mother of the bride collection.

ETSY LOVE

Kate Towers OMG. MUST HAVE!

twigs and honey beauteous! and lovely bridal accessories

zoe and doyle custom handmade wedding bands. LOVE!

I will continue to update this, so check back often as you plan your big day! And feel free to contact me to hear more about the great folks listed above.

I suggest you check out Junebug for all of your wedding planning needs and inspiration. They are extremely selective so you can feel confident in any of the vendors on their "top 10" list. They are also just about the sweetest ladies around. Love them!!