Amazingly enough, a couple can plan, delight in, and obsess about their wedding day for 12 months, and then -- poof! -- everything's over before they know it. Even though the guests will appreciate every effort you both took to make this a memorable day, you both may find yourselves barely able to remember the menu, let alone the white roses at the end of the aisle.

For these reasons and a million more, your wedding recorder(s) will (say, on your fifth anniversary) be among the most important people to have attended your ceremony and reception.

Photography versus Videography

Wedding photographs preserve forever the magnificence and magic of your wedding day. Wedding videos, on the other hand, tends to capture those precious and often spontaneous moments that defy the limitations of still photography.

Take time to carefully select both the wedding photographer and/or videographer. Remember, these are the people who are in charge of recording your precious memories.

One thing to keep in mind: your makeup needs to be a little brighter and bolder for wedding photos. Makeup tends to photograph less intense than it appears in real life, so you may want to go with a darker red lipstick or a deeper blush. The photographer, a makeup salesperson, or a qualified makeup artist can give you tips on makeup for photography.

Choosing a Photographer

Do your homework. Ask recently married couples for recommendations. Take a lot of uninterrupted time to study the photographer's portfolio. Look for technical skill, including clear, well-lit photos. Study the bride's and groom's faces:

• © Was the photographer able to capture the bride's eyes expressing the love in her heart rather than the butterflies in her stomach?

• © Despite being posed, do the traditional shots still have a sense of candid happiness, or do they seem flat and unanimated?

• © Does the photographer use multiple-image, split-frame, or other creative techniques?

There are important questions for you both to ask during initial interviews with candidate photographers, such as the rate per hour, extra potential costs, photographer's attire, and number of assistants to be used.

Here are some tips to make the search for a photographer a bit easier:

• © Start early. The best photographers are booked months in advance. Since you want plenty of time to interview and review more than one photographer, it's best to begin as soon as possible.

• © Ask friends and relatives to see their wedding albums.

• © Ask your caterer, florist, and musicians for recommendations. These people are in the wedding business, and they've probably seen it all. Of course, their recommendations will probably be from a different perspective. For example, this photographer did not get in the way as food was served, and that photographer got right in the middle of the dance floor and captured every move. In the end, these are all important viewpoints that the average bride might not know to consider.

• © Attend bridal fairs. Photographers often have booths at these fairs. You can look at portfolios, collect business cards, and check for available dates. It's also a great way to see several photographers without having to drive all over town.

• © Interview several choices. You may think that wedding photographs are all the same, but they really aren't. There are different levels of creativity, talent, and technical skill. After talking to several photographers, you'll begin to understand the differences, and you'll spot the right person.

• © Consider your chemistry with each photographer interviewed. While a photographer's portfolio is his best recommendation, it's also important to consider how you get along with this person. If you both prefer a take-charge, assertive person, look for these qualities during the interview. On the other hand, if you want someone who's laid-back and goes with the flow, watch for this attitude.

• © Consider a photographer's creativity. When reviewing a photographer's portfolio, ask to see a complete wedding in a real proof book. This will give you an idea of really what to expect. Recommendations are great, but actually seeing the photographer's work is better still. Look for black-and-white treatments, multiple images, and other creative techniques. Don't be shy about making special requests. If a friend's wedding album catches your eye, ask if you can borrow her book and show it to each photographer you interview.

• © Make sure your photographer has wedding-specific experience. Photographers who specialize in animal shots or formal portraits are probably not your best bet. You want someone who understands what a wedding album means.

• © Get a few references which you can contact. When speaking with the references remember they are regular people taking time out to answer questions. Be courteous to them and remember one day you may be a reference.

• © Discuss your wedding style with the photographer and make sure he/she and his/her assistants will comply with the dress code. I am always shocked when I see a photographer dressed inappropriately for the occasion. It is embarrassing!. If your wedding is formal they should be formal as well, (or at least wearing the same as the service). Men should always wear a suit. Woman either black slacks and a button down shirt (for formal they would match the caterers or the guests).

The Photographer Worksheet will help collect and organize the information you gather, and make hiring the right photographer an easier task.

All professional wedding photographers have a standard wedding package. They may say that they provide custom packages at all rates, but the fact is they need to make a set income to stay in the wedding photography business, be it part time or full time. A lot of companies will have 3-5 set packages that couples can choose from. The prices of these packages can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the company and what is included in the package price. Be sure you understand what's included … and what's extra.

Getting the Important Shots

If there are people at your wedding who you especially want photographed, make sure the photographer meets these people. Introducing the photographer to your great-grandmother is a nice responsibility for your maid/matron of honor. And be sure to make these special requests are clearly known before the wedding day.

Wedding Photography Trends

Several trends in wedding day photography can make the entire process much more predictable and less stressful. The ideas below can give you more free time on the wedding day.

• © Take the formal shots the day or week before your ceremony. Yes, the groom will have to see the bride in her gown, but the benefits of a calm, unhurried session often outweigh any superstitions! Also, a pre-wedding-day photography session gives you both a true dress rehearsal.

• © Take more candid shots. There is something captivating about well-taken candid photographs. Some great candid opportunities are when everyone is getting ready, between formal shots when everyone is happy and playful, and as the bride awaits her first step down the aisle.

• © Request creative techniques. Black-and-white or black-and-white hand-tinted photos, double exposures, or special filters all offer unique and captivating results.

Once you both have determined which specific shots are important and when you would like the photographer to take these shots, use the Wedding Photo Checklist to keep him or her on track. You can also use this checklist to record the details of your wedding package along with basic information about the photographer. This will make sure you and the photographer are on the same page and eliminate any potential for surprises.

The Videographer

Like the photographer, the videographer is responsible for capturing memories. What sets the wedding video apart from the wedding album is that video tends to be more action- and sound-oriented and thus has the potential for being more spontaneous and candid. There's no better way to remember the informal but nonetheless remarkable moments of your day.

Many times, video is the only way to capture the moment you exchange vows, since the flashes for still photographs may not be permitted, or wanted, during the ceremony. A quiet video camera, unobtrusively set up stage left, allows you to hold those vows forever at your fingertips.

As with selecting a photographer, interview several videographers (use the the Videographer Worksheet to record the meetings), and use friends' wedding videos to help express what you're looking for. Once you find that perfect videographer, use the the Wedding Photo Checklist to specify all the key moments you would like captured.