If you are running the gamut of searching for a wedding photographer, there are a few things you should know. Even though a wedding photographer could come with a hefty price tag, it is one thing that you don't want to skimp on at your wedding. That is, the cake will come and go, the food will eventually be forgotten, the dance moves will go out of style, and the decorations aren't going to make or break the evening. However, you will probably be looking at these photos for the rest of your life. So, you want to make sure you (and the photographer, of course) get it right.

Here are some important things to consider when shopping around for a professional wedding photographer.

Hire a Pro, Not a Friend

First of all, you definitely do want to search for a professional, rather than just hiring somebody you know, for somebody who takes decent photos. Many people are attempted to save money have a friend do the work for free. But, you're always going to get much better results if you hire person who doesn't have any relation to you or the party-goers. A wedding is a very fast paced event, you  don't want the photographer being sidetracked or slowed down by guests. To put it bluntly, you don't want your wedding photographer having too much fun at your party, you want them taking photos of everything that is happening at all times!

Are Guests Comfortable Around the Photographer?

Many people are worried that hiring a professional could feel uncomfortable. Of course, you want to meet up with the photographer so you can get a feel for them as a person. It is all good and well to look at their portfolio online, you want to make sure that it is going to be an actual human that you feel comfortable being around. You don't want your guests, or yourself, to feel awkward when the photographers taking photos.

Hire a Separate Video Crew

Also, you should avoid hiring any photographer that also offers to do video work. It is usually best if you hire two separate contractors. There is just too much to do if you want good photos and video of the entire event. That being said, there might be larger firms that offer package deals for full video and photography crews. You just want make sure that they aren't compromising or sharing tasks.