Choosing a Wedding Photographer: Questions Every Bride and Groom Should Ask

Many talented wedding photographers are available in your area. How can you determine which one is the best choice to capture your wedding memories? We’ve put together a list of questions a bride or groom can ask a potential wedding photographer to help them make their decision. This includes everything from the simple questions about availability and pricing to the more complex questions about style and deliverables.

Availability, Contract, and Policies

1. Are you available on our wedding date?
2. Will it be you or someone else shooting our wedding? Do you work with an assistant?
3. Can we review a sample contract?
4. What is your cancellation or refund policy?
5. Do you have liability insurance and backup equipment?
6. How do you handle low light or challenging lighting situations?
7. What is your backup plan if you’re unable to shoot our wedding?

Pricing and Packages

1. What packages do you offer, and what is included in each?
2. How many hours of coverage are included?
3. Are there additional fees such as travel, overtime, extra editing, etc.?
4. Do you offer custom packages?
5. What is your payment schedule?

Photography Style and Experience

1. How many weddings have you photographed?
2. Is your photography style more candid, traditional, photojournalistic, or editorial?
3. Have you shot weddings at our venue or a similar one?
4. Can we see a full gallery from a recent wedding (not just highlights)?
5. What do you enjoy most about shooting weddings?
6. How do you help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera?
7. Can we schedule an engagement session to get to know your style?

Deliverables

1. Do you retain the rights to our images for marketing or publishing?
2. Are we allowed to print and share the photos ourselves?
3. How many edited images can we expect?
4. What is your delivery turnaround time?
5. Will we receive digital files, prints, and/or an album?
6. Will the photos be high-resolution and unwatermarked?
7. Do you offer an online gallery for sharing with guests?

Final Planning Questions

1. Will you work with us to create a photography timeline?
2. How do you coordinate with our other vendors (wedding planner, videographer, florist, etc.)?
3. Can we request specific shots or poses?
4. How do you handle family photo lists and group shots?

The best place to start your search is the 58th Annual Wonderful World of Weddings Show at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park. You’ll be able to meet with multiple photographers and get a sense of their photography style, packages, and pricing. By talking with them in person in a low-pressure environment, you’ll also get a sense of who you’re comfortable with and who will work best with you to capture lasting memories of your big day. We’ll see you January 10-11, 2026!