The excitement and joy of a wedding reception or a memorable occasion are best captured and treasured in pictures or on film. After the cake has been eaten, the guests have left, the flowers wilted, and the last grains of sand shaken off from the honeymoon, what’s left of the wedding? Those reassured glimpses captured in photographs can in a moment rekindle the joy for both of you, bring back the friends, and show the love within families.

There are a number of professionals who specialize in weddings and event pictures. It is advisable to book a photographer who is quite familiar with the rituals of the wedding. Good photographers from other fields such as commercial, spots or press, may not be able to deliver good wedding shots as they are not familiar with various ceremonies and customs. Find a photographer with whose style you feel comfortable. If you have a particular person in mind, look closely at his latest assignments on Catholic weddings and don’t hesitate to ask for references. Better still, if you have recently attended a wedding, do take the trouble of going through the album / CD.

While placing the order please confirm that the estimate given will be the total cost, excluding extra prints or enlargements. The prices vary from one photographer to another; make sure you understand what the “package price” includes and what the extras are. It is not necessary to assign both, photography and video coverage to the same person. You may like the photographs of one person but not the video coverage. Judge the stills and video coverage separately. When you finally select your photographer, sit down together so you can communicate what you imagine your pictures to be. Be specific about formal and candid photographs. Be sure you let the photographer know what you expect. Ask if she or he can provide a checklist for you to fill out. You should submit a list of photographic requests to both the photographer and the helper so that the helper can guide the right people to the photographer. This will avoid unnecessary and duplicate pictures. Today, more couples are deciding to have formal portraits taken before the ceremony to maximize time with their guests. This is most advisable as you are very fresh and relaxed. Black and whites are timeless and classic and hand painting will make photos an original piece of artwork you will be proud to display. Another format that is slowly catching up is the digital pictures. Here the pictures are digitally printed onto the pages of the album. It is advisable to go for the matted pictures because they remain longer than glossy pictures, which become sticky due to moisture.

There are also different sizes for the photograph 4″X6″ and 5″X7″. The larger format prints give better results. Ask your photographer if he can help you store your photos on CD and DVD for safekeeping. Store your wedding photos in a safe place. It is recommended that you keep them in the box provided with the wedding album. If you ordered the photos without an album, make sure you put them in an album soon after receiving them. Be sure you use “Acid free” paper to mount your photos on. This will help ensure they last a lifetime. Always keep them someplace dry. Instead of a guest book, consider using your engagement photo with a large matte area around it. Family and friends can sign around your photo with well wishes. This provides a wonderful keepsake to frame and display on your wall and think about everyone who was there to celebrate your wedding day with you