I bet you are glowing in the radiant sparkle of your engagement ring, excited about dress shopping and who to pick as your bridesmaid and how to have your hair…. well, STOP!

OK don’t stop, I don’t want to take the fun out of your celebration, but there is a beginning to this process in order to get you to the most important bit - marrying the one you love.

Last time we looked at venues, this time we are looking at the people who will capture the memories forever. You should be booking your photographer as soon as you have booked your wedding date with your venue.

What do you want to remember?

When you are old and grey the stress over favours will seem insignificant, your handmade tiara arriving late won’t matter but what will be important is showing your wedding photos and video to your children and even grandchildren and reminiscing with each other.

It is really important you find a photographer that is experienced, insured and qualified. To get the best results it is imperative that it is someone who you would invite as a guest to your wedding as you are going to be spending the day with them and you need to feel relaxed to get a great result.

So how to choose?

The price

Typically your wedding photographer will be 10-15 per cent of your budget. Finding a cheap photographer is risking losing your wedding day memories so consider this when allocating funds. If you love their style but you can’t afford their albums ask if they will produce images to disk. You can always order the album after the wedding when finances are less stretched.

The style

The current trend for candid or reportage photography is a fabulous way of capturing those tiny moments of joy and emotion. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have more traditional group posed photos that your family will appreciate. Often a wedding is the one time that a family is en masse and looking their best!

Look at albums when you meet with photographers at wedding fairs as this is a great way to compare and get a feel for what they can produce for you.

The credentials

This is the important bit and shouldn’t be overlooked. Check if they are RIPE:

References and testimonials from past clients. Ask to speak to another couple whose wedding they have covered.

Insurance certificates for public liability and equipment.

Portfolios: Look at a minimum of three weddings at different venues and see the style and get a feel for how your photos could look.

Equipment: Ensure that it is of professional quality and includes a backup camera, multiple memory cards, flashes and lenses.

Communication

Meet or even Skype with a short list of photographers. Are you both relaxed and comfortable with them? Are they listening to what you want to achieve? Would you be content to hang out with them for the day? Will they meet you at the venue before your wedding day?

Once you are happy with that individual check their availability and book! They are only one person so once they have booked a wedding that will not be available to anyone else.

Good luck with capturing the happiest day of your life!

Claudia Jordan, event director of Best Brides Wedding Exhibitions is twice-married and has planned one in three months and the other in five weeks! Writing articles for Wedding Ideas, National Weddings, A Kentish Ceremony and News Shopper, Claudia is also a judge for Kent’s Most Romantic Couple Award. She shares her insight and her top tips on getting married in a hurry and on budget with the least amount of stress.