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1. DETERMINE STYLE & AESTHETIC

Determine what photography style you are drawn to. Light and airy? Fine Art and Film? Moody and desaturated? Edgy and Bold? Everyone has a preference, do some research and find out what speaks to you most. Pinterest is a great platform to start with. Create a "Photography Inspiration" board and get pinning to find out what your eye is naturally drawn to.

2. NAIL DOWN YOUR BUDGET

Next, nail down your budget before you begin researching and reaching out to potential photographers. The reason being, many photographers will include their starting rate online, this helps potential brides ensure their services fall within budget before reaching out and starting correspondence.

3. RESEARCH & INQUIRE

Once you have settled on your preferred style and budget, it is time to get researching! Compile a list of photographers whose work you love and pricing is in line with your budget. When making your list, put in the time to properly research these potential photographers. Thoroughly review their websites, social media accounts, blogs and any reviews or testimonials from past clients. This will give a better indication as to what it is like working with each photographer and the experience they provide. Should you be happy with your findings, fire off a message to inquire about your wedding date availability and request detailed pricing. Upon receiving quotes and packages from each photographer, analyze and compare the pricing. Is your budget in line with the photographers offerings? If not, are you willing to extend your budget to make room for their services? Finally, based on the information you have gathered, book an in-person consultation or phone conversation with each photographer you are interested in to find out if they are the right fit.

Pro tip: When reaching out to photographers, keep in mind that these vendors begin filling their calendars with weddings anywhere from 1-2 years in advance. That said, if there is a specific photographer whose work you have been eyeing for ages and are particularly interested in, it is best to reach out as soon as possible to confirm your date is still available.

4. SCHEDULE CONSULTATION

Whether you are meeting over the phone, on Skype or at a local coffee shop, be prepared for your consultation. Have a list of important questions to ask your potential photographers during your initial meeting to determine if they are a good fit.

During your consultation take note of compatibility, it is important to choose a photographer that you vibe with. This sounds like a match making service – and truthfully, it kind of is! Your photographer is one of very few vendors that will be by your side throughout the entirety of your wedding day. Therefore, it is critical to make sure you get along and enjoy their company. Hiring a photographer that is not only fun to be around but also professional, experienced, organized and trustworthy will take any stress over photography out of your day. Should things run behind, or there happens to be a rain storm on the day of your wedding, a professional can roll with the punches and adapt.

5. COME TO A DECISION & SECURE YOUR VENDOR

After weighing the options and making a collective decision with your fiancé (they're a part of this process too!) it is now time to secure your wedding photographer. As you make it official be sure to review the contract in full and address any questions or concerns you have before signing.

Guess what? You now have one more vendor crossed off the to-do list. Time for a mandatory dance party, you deserve it you wedding planning maven, you!