By guest blogger Manus Chau

As a freelance wedding photographer, photography lands in my top 5 most important things for wedding planning, of course! Here’s my list in no particular order:

• date
  • ceremony
  • reception location
  • colors
  • photography

There are a lot of talented photographers out there, but it can be confusing to know where to start. A great first step is to ask friends who recently got married for recommendations. It’s very common in this industry to hire through referrals. Next, check out the photographer’s style to see if it’s compatible with yours. Meet with potential photographers to see if they’re a good fit for your event. Spend some time getting to know him or her and observe what kind of personality they have. After all, your photographer will spend a great deal of time with you on your big day.

Engagement photos are very popular and many photographers include them in their packages. This is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer before the actual wedding day. You’ll also be able to dress up, look hot, and have fun at the same time. You can use engagement photos on your personal blogs, share them with friends and family, or if you have them taken well in advance and have time, send out a photo save the date card. You’ll want to make sure that Uncle Bob and Aunt Jane who live across the country know all about your big bash!