If you’re reading this blog, you probably have a ring sparkling on the fourth finger of your left hand. One thing is certain—you’ve signed up for the adventure of a lifetime: getting married. First off, congratulations! Get ready for some exciting times ahead.

You don't know what you're getting

Your wedding will be fantastically unique, beautiful, and unforgettable. You owe it to yourself (and your descendants) to make sure you have tangible reminders of this magnificent event, and not the fuzzy kind. You can hear the music, smell the flowers, see the dress, and taste the cake before you hire your dream wedding vendors, but with wedding photography, you don't know what you're getting until after the fact. That's why it's crucial to choose a photographer with whom you feel comfortable, so it's necessary to do your research and be picky about their experience, aesthetic, and manner.

Photographs are quintessential wedding keepsakes

They speak volumes about the atmosphere, style, and emotions of the wedding day. Arranged artfully in an album, photos narrate the story of your event from the morning preparations—including the groom’s contortions trying to knot his bow tie— to the last revelers getting cozy on the dance floor. For photos that will best reflect your personal sensibility—and help you relive those happy emotions for years to come—arm yourself with some basic information about what different photographic styles are available (and how to spot them), where to find a talented pro, and when (and how) to get the perfect shots.

Getting everyone together at one time

Getting everyone together at one time (especially both of your families, looking their best, no less) is a special and rare occurrence, and the day will happen only once. Even if you think you don’t want any portraits, you’ll likely be glad to have them after the wedding’s over (and your parents will be thrilled). If you want to minimize the portrait session, pare it down to just the must-take portraits: the bride and groom together, the entire wedding party, the bride and groom with their parents, the couple with the bride’s immediate family, the couple with the groom’s immediate family, and both immediate families all together.