The wedding photographer is the person who is responsible for capturing all the magical moments of your wedding ceremony. They capture your mother clasping the pearls around your neck, the father of the groom pinning on the groom's boutonniere. The photographer captures the first kiss, and the last farewell of the night.

As you begin your search for your wedding photographer, look for a photographer that has a style that matches your personality. There are various types of photographers that specialize in different styles of photography.

Some photographers shoot only in black and white. These photographs will have a timeless feel to them. Most photographers today will shoot in color then offer a few images in black and white. Any picture you see in color can also be de-saturated to give it a black and white effect or sepia tone.

Landscape wedding photographers are known for their dramatic images including sweeping skies and bold colors. If you're a nature lover, this is the photographer for you. Their photography tends to be less traditional, and poses more unique. Portrait photographers are going to have a more formal feel to their pictures, meaning they shoot faces, and pose people more than capturing natural, candid moments.

Finding someone who understands your personality will ensure the images reflect who you are and not just standard wedding pictures. You should come up with a shot list, or a list of images that you really want. Feel free to suggest locations for pictures and be interactive. However, remember that each new setting takes time for the photographer to set up equipment and this can take time away from you enjoying your ceremony.

Cost is often a factor when choosing a wedding photographer. Most often, you get what you pay for with a photographer. If you are paying $500.00, you might get a disk with untouched images on it, meaning some images may be a little dark or overexposed. The average wedding photographer costs somewhere between $3,000 - $5,000. They generally shoot for six to eight hours and you can decide which portion of the wedding is the most critical for the photographer to capture. You pay for experience and style. Top photographers can cost upwards of $10,000.

Find out what the wedding package includes. Does it include a wedding album? Most albums contain about 50 images chosen by the bride and groom. Do you only get one album, or do you get one for you, and one each for the parents of the bride and groom? Will you get physical proofs (3x5 images) or are you going to be sent digital proofs? Will the photographer give you a disk of images that you can print, or do you have to order all additional prints through them? (Prints are where photographers make the bulk of their money with a 4x6 running around $20.00).

Once the wedding is over, the excitement will be renewed when you see your wedding photos. The smiles and the tears all mark the passage of man and woman to husband and wife. Wedding photographers should make you feel comfortable and special, because you are.