A picture is worth a thousand words. Aside from your own memories, beautiful wedding pictures are the best way to record every moment of your big day.

Here are the top 18 questions to ask your potential wedding photographer.

1. Do you have our date available?

First order of business. Also, will they be shooting any other events on the day of your wedding? There should be plenty of time between the two events, if there is more than one. You never know who might run late, etc.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings?

This is to help gause their level of professionalism. How many weddings they’ve done tells you how many other couples liked their style and picked them for their events.

3. Have you shot weddings at our venue before?

If not, ask them to do a site visit. Scrambling for picture locations the day-of wastes valuable time, and it’s important for them to have an idea how lighting, etc. is going to work.

4. Can we see your portfolio?

You definitely want to see work they have done in the past, but ask if they have done weddings in a similar style as yours or at your same venue. Seeing pictures that might look like yours will give you an even better idea of what you want and whether or not you want to go with that photographer.

5. What is your photography style?

When it comes to weddings, there are a few different styles of photography. Have an idea of what you most want out of your pictures to make sure their style coincides with yours. If you are not sure, ask to see example photographs.

6. Do you provide your own lighting?

The answer should be yes, but if it is no, ask about how they intend to work around that or if you need to rent you own lighting equipment.

7. What types of packages do you offer?

Make sure you understand everything that comes in each of their packages to pick whichever one works best for you. If there’s not a best package, they may allow you to customize your package, or you may need to do everything à la carte.

8. How many pictures will you take? When and how will we be able to see them?

There shouldn’t be a limit to how many pictures they will take, although the average is between 1,200 and 1,500 photos, not that you will see every single one of those. You will generally see anywhere between 150 and 400 of those. They may give you a link to see them online or provide you with a CD of your pictures.

9. Will you retouch photos?

The answer should be yes. And the answer to if there is a limit to how many pictures they will edit should be no. This is their job and every one of their clients deserves their best work. Although, keep in mind that some photographers include retouching in their package, but others will charge extra.

10. Who will be shooting our wedding? Do you bring a second shooter?

If it’s not them who will be shooting your wedding, ask if you can me the photographer who will be shooting. Bringing a second shooter is also a good idea to capture multiple angles of the ceremony. Although, you’ll want to ask if there is an additional cost for the second shooter.

11. What is your backup plan in case of emergency?

They should have extra equipment in case something breaks and someone on deck to take over if they become ill or have another emergency come up.

12. Do you have a shoot list?

If they do provide a list, ask if you can see it. If they don’t have a list, ask if you can give them a list of shots you want. You don’t want to end up with regrets, so make sure they understand everything you want.

13. How many hours included in your package?

And how much for extra time? You may also want to double check that they will shoot all aspects of your wedding that you want documented. Some photographers won’t shoot the getting ready scenes, for example.

14. Do I order prints through you?

Be as thorough as you can in regards to prints. How much they are, what kind of photo paper they use, if there are different packages you can do, how the ordering process works. And if they don’t handle the prints, how do they recommend going about getting prints.

15. What type of album designs do you offer?

And will you assist and putting an album together? If they don’t offer an album, can they suggest a way to get one made.

16. Will you coordinate with my videographer?

If you don’t have one yet and want one, ask if they can recommend one to you. More than likely they’ll have some great suggestions.

17. How much is the deposit and when is the final payment due?

Hiring a photographer is a pretty expensive business. Ask if you can set up a payment plan, or if there is a discount offered if you pay in advance.

18. What is your refund policy?

Only if the worst happens, of course.

Before picking your photographer, make sure they really understand your vision for your wedding and wedding photos. They are going to be there for every intimate moment of your wedding day and you definitely want to feel comfortable with them.

Make sure you go into your meeting with your list of questions. If there are any special requests you have for them, make sure you clear it with them from the beginning.

There are so many small details that go into creating your dream wedding, but that doesn’t mean you should have to stress. Generation Tux lets you sample your clothing before the big day, in the comfort of your living room. See what we have to offer to make your union extraordinary.