This may be the first time you’ve hired a professional photographer and it can be bewildering. Below are six impartial tips to help you find the photographer that suits you best.

1. Personality counts so make sure you get on

Sounds obvious! But your photographer is a significant part of your day.  It's important you feel comfortable with them, trust their ability to capture the day and act appropriately. They will have a lot of interaction with you and your guests and their personality can influence many aspects of your wedding. Meet beforehand and make sure you click.

2. Their photographs should really wow you

The example images photographers use for promotion will be their very, very best work, so they should really WOW you! Additionally – ask to see examples of whole weddings to make sure they produce consistent quality. People's expressions will show you the photographer's skill at putting people at ease and capturing genuine emotions.  

3. Research their style and approach

From reportage to formal posing – styles are varied. Take your time to compare, well in advance; never make snap decisions under pressure.  Use your instincts too – you need to trust your photographer so use your heart as well as your head.  Watch out for photographers that rely on Photoshop tricks and gimmicks to stand out, usually it’s because their images aren't up to scratch. 

4. Choose someone experienced, trustworthy and fun

Your photographer should have insurance, contingencies and back-ups. They will draw on their experience to get great photographs regardless of the unexpected – if they lack this they're relying on luck! Plus, it's your wedding day, not a photo shoot – how many times have you been to a wedding where the photography seemed to take over the day?  It should be fun, and the photographs unique.

5. Get good value...but not at the expense of quality

You'll treasure your photographs for a lifetime; they're a long-term investment. If photography is important to you – budget accordingly. Your photography package should be comprehensive and good value. Make sure you know the full price beforehand, beware hidden costs and don't get caught out with escalating 'add-on' charges.

6. Check out their testimonials

You shouldn't need to take the photographer's word alone as a recommendation.  All photographers should have glowing testimonials from past clients.  Finally, some businesses employ several photographers, so once you've made your decision on which photographer is for you, make sure it'll be them who turns up on the day.

How I approach things at Duncan Ireland Photography:

• I always like to meet couples beforehand and discuss your plans - chat over coffee and afterwards you can make your decision in your own time.  I love photographing weddings, it's my passion and I hope this comes through in my example wedding galleries.  

• I'm always looking for something different - that's what keeps me interested. I'm aiming to capture the emotion of your day with unique images that you'll treasure. In my photographs I hope you'll see natural expressions, happy faces and genuine smiles.  

• I like to mix reportage with contemporary portraiture and while my website shows my best work, you can see any of the weddings featured in their entirety during a one-to-one pre-wedding consultation.  I don't rely on gimmicks; just consistently good photography.  

• I love photographing people and I've over a decade of experience doing so. I've been photographing weddings professionally since 2009; long enough to have gained some great experience, but short-enough that I'm still fresh with enthusiasm.  

• I have clear pricing, with no 'hidden' add-ons.  So you can budget within your price range and not feel you're compromising on your photography. I don't use a 'second shooter', because I want to capture unguarded, true to life moments – two photographers risks feeling too like the paparazzi.  

• Each of my packages includes me as your photographer for your whole wedding day. Weddings are a wonderful event to photograph and a big responsibility – one that I take seriously. I'm very proud of each wedding I photograph and the testimonials I receive mean you don't have to take just my word for it.

Have fun choosing your photographer and have a fantastic wedding day!

Six Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

Group Therapy - Tips For Formal Group Photographs

Your wedding day reaches the time for the formal group photographs - for your guests, this may be the part they dread... but with a little careful planning there's no need.

After photographing hundreds of formals - I've learned many tips that might help you plan for this part of the day.  So here's my advice for successful groups:

1. Ten or fewer are ideal

Each group takes time to assemble... and after half an hour, even the most dedicated wedding guest can be flagging.  Ten groups is an ideal number, to cover all the important combinations, and still keep everyone fresh.  No-one wants the reception to turn into one big photo shoot - plus this number allows a little more time to make each shot a bit more creative - fewer, but more special.

2. Highlight the priorities

If you have some 'must have' groups - highlight these with your photographer in advance, to be taken first, then, on the day if you decide to cut the groups short (which happens quite often) - you've got all the priorities safely done.

Also if there are elderly family members or people who might not be able to stand for half an hour - let your photographer know - and these can go to the beginning of the list too.

3. Leave the organisation to your photographer

It's a great bonus to have a reliable best man, usher or bridesmaid on hand to help coordinate the groups - they'll likely know the majority of people to help find anyone who's missing - but there needs to be one person in control, who knows what they're doing - and that should be your photographer.  So make your list, and put them in charge.

4. Think about the style - there's groups and then there's groups...

Look at the images on this page - they're all groups but they're all different.  And the scope for variety is huge - formal/informal, standing/sitting, in close/out wide to include the scenery.  It's great to vary the style of the groups to reflect the personalities in them - so tip your photographer off in advance, if there's potential for those personalities to shine.

5. Go for easy groups to assemble 

For example, by family name or 'all school friends' or 'all the stags/hens'.  Much simpler than trying to call out a long list of names.

6. Allocate sufficient time

Chat to your photographer about the appropriate time for group photographs.  Some venues will advise a set time for formal photographs, but this can vary considerably with each photographer's approach.  Also - balance the time for group formals with bride and groom portraits.

7. Keep everyone comfortable

In summer your guests risk getting too hot in the sun, and in winter - it'll be cold waiting around.  So again fewer groups really are better.  Also consider that some groups might lend themselves to being taken later in the day - when everyone's relaxed after a few drinks.  But this is usually a case of - go for it and see who and what we can get - a time to get some fun additions to the day, rather than the time to get those precious 'must have' group shots.

And if you'd rather not have any posed photographs - let your photographer know and just go for what you're comfortable with.

8. Test your photographer

This can be where your photographer has the most contact with your guests. It takes good people skills, careful organisation and an eye for detail for a photographer to get the groups right - so if you're meeting and comparing potential photographers - it's always a good question to ask - how they approach this part of the day?

... to improve your wedding morning photographs.

In addition to your something old, something borrowed, something blue and a crochet hook..! Based on real wedding morning dramas - here are six simple things that you won't regret being without - and that will really benefit your wedding photographs on the wedding morning.

1. Pretty hangers

For your dress and bridesmaids dresses. Simple, elegant hangers make a big difference in the preparation photographs. If in doubt, simple white or plain wood are ideal.

2. Drinking straws

Drinking plenty of water during the morning will keep you hydrated and fresh for the full day ahead, and don't stop once your make-up's complete - a simple straw will help you get a drink without smudging your lips.

3. Safety pins

For things that break, snap and fall apart. If you're ultra-prepared (and time is on your side) - break out the sewing kit, but for last minute fixes these can be little lifesavers when time's against you.

4. Scissors

Especially when you're getting ready away from home - there's always something that needs to be cut off or tidied up.

5. Heel stoppers

Awesome for high heel off-roading. These little plastic discs fit over heels and prevent them sinking into grass or any soft surface. So when your photographer starts getting excited about the view from the leafy glade, you can safely go walkabout without ending up in the boggy flower-bed.

6. Music

To enhance the atmosphere and settle your nerves - music to relax and put you at ease - you might think this has nothing to do with photography, but the relaxed expressions will really come across in your pictures.