Selecting a photographer for your wedding is an extremely important part of preserving your memories of this very special day.

First, you need someone who is an experienced photographer. I suggest someone with background beyond weddings that can bring experiences from weddings, portraits, nature photography, even action photography as in sports or dance.

Your photographer should have high quality equipment and also high quality backup equipment. If you need portrait style flash photos taken on sight at your wedding, make sure that portable strobes are available and that the sample photos you see indicate a good understanding of light using strobes as well as natural lighting. Will the photographer be using film or digital equipment? While it's very difficult to tell if the original photo was film or digital, a photo job done on film will probably be limited to a smaller number of shots because of the cost of processing.

Of course, the wedding album should capture the excitement and emotions of your wedding day.

Try to view a complete set of proofs from at least one wedding to see the type and consistency of shots that the photographer does; this can give you a better idea of overall quality than viewing 1 or 2 carefully prepared portrait shots.

You'll also get an idea of the number of photos that you'll be able to chose from for your album and wedding pictures. You'll be able to see the quality of candid photos that will help bring your memories alive each time you see them -- even years later.

If you want the photographer to follow the bride or groom through the preparation for the wedding, try to see a set of proofs and possibly an album that demonstrates this.

Meet with your intended photographer long enough to know you feel comfortable with that person. This is one of the most important elements of your choice. From your perspective, it will be difficult to look natural and relaxed; from the photographers perspective, it's difficult to get you to look natural if you don't feel at ease with the photographer.

Will the person you meet with actually be your photographer? Or will the job be farmed out to someone you won't meet until that day? Will the same person that assembled the sample albums, also put your album together?

Finally, look at the cost of the wedding book. Look for a range of albums and prices; if you are on a budget, the choice of album can make a difference of 3 to 5 thousand dollars (or more) on the whole package.