Michele Beckwith Photography

Pick a Photographer you Like to Be Around
All of the photographers we spoke with had the same sentiment: it's important to like each other. "Unlike other vendors, your photographer will be by your side on the wedding day from early morning when you're sipping coffee in your floral robe and slippers until late that night when the bottoms of your bare feet are dirty from the dance floor and your makeup is runny," says Lauren Saldutti and Michael Kelley. "A photographer who 'gets you' and who can be a friend and a calm presence will be an asset while riding the emotional waves of your wedding day."

To ensure you'll have this type of connection with your photographer, try to meet up with them ahead of time to see how your personalities fit. "I always (always) meet with our clients either in person, on Skype, or on the phone before any formal booking takes place to ensure we're all on the same page and generally get along," says Sarah Lockhart of Ryon:Lockhart Photography. "Make sure you feel comfortable with them—when you are comfortable, it will show in your photos!"

Scout Locations Ahead of Time
If you're doing a first look or want your family photos away from the venue, work with your photographer to nail down a few ideal spots for photos. "I suggest to have one or two locations that are walking distance in mind for portraits," says Sarah Lockhart. "But always leave time for lots of flexibility—we're constantly looking for really beautiful pockets of light or natural reflectors and those can be found in really odd spots (hello, random alleyways!!)."