What questions to ask a photographer?

Short answer

Ask about their style, experience at your venue, what is included in the package, how they handle bad weather, and when you will receive your photos.

Start by asking about their photography style. Do they prefer natural, candid shots or more posed, formal portraits? Make sure their approach matches what you want. Ask how many weddings they have shot and whether they have worked at your venue before. A photographer who knows the venue will know the best spots for photos and how the light behaves there.

Then ask what is included. Is there a second photographer? How many hours of coverage do you get? Are travel costs and meals covered? What happens if they are ill on the day? Do they have a backup photographer? Ask about delivery times for the edited photos and how you receive them, for example through an online gallery or a USB stick.

It is also worth asking about the weather plan. If your ceremony is outdoors, where will portraits happen if it rains? Finally, ask about copyright and whether you can print the photos yourself. If you have a religious ceremony, check whether the photographer is allowed to move around freely or must stay in one place. Some places of worship have rules about photography, so confirm this with the venue as well.