Picture perfect

Memories fade with time, but capturing your wedding in photographs or on video will allow you to relive the happiest day of your life whenever you choose and bring it all flooding back.

A wedding without a photographic record is almost inconceivable. Good wedding photographers have very full diaries, so if you have one in mind, make sure you book them early. Photographers of repute work out of a studio which may or may not have a shop front. They usually advertise their services locally, but good reputations usually ensure that word of mouth will inform who is considered the best in the business.

Wedding photography is a very specific skill and photographers who specialise in weddings certainly know their stuff. They will be aware of the best poses to take and how best to relax their subjects to ensure poses appear natural and happy rather than stiff and embarrassed.

What must be guarded against, however, is the over-enthusiastic photographer who takes so many shots that the guests begin to look bored, cold or hot in the pictures. Specify from the outset how many pictures you want. It is usual for a set to be taken of the bride before the ceremony and of the bride and groom and certain specified guests after the ceremony. Some wedding venues allow photographers inside. Many churches do not, although they will allow a photo of the signing of the register.

The next set of pictures to be taken are on arrival at the reception when a mock-up of the cake cutting ceremony is staged. There may also be a picture taken of the whole gathering. Many photographers leave at this point, and prepare a set of proofs which they send back to the reception so orders may be taken.

When booking the photographer it is usual to order an album for the whole set. Albums can cost up to £250 or more so be careful which you choose if you are on a tight budget. You may also wish for a portrait enlargement to be made. Again it's expensive but makes for a lovely memento.

Your photographer may also offer a video recording service. This can form a complete record of the day from the dressing of the bride to the happy pair's departure for the honeymoon. This is a popular way to record the day so mention it when you are making the booking.

Many couples now have what is known as a reportage wedding video.

This is a documentary-style recording, including sound, of the day, which can capture all the drama, emotions and amusing incidents and allows all participants and guests to take part in the event. These can usually be provided on tape or DVD.

Finally do beware of the enthusiastic amateur photographer. Every family has one. The photographic record of a wedding is far too important to risk by entrusting it to an amateur who may fall ill, be forced to be absent from the event for some reason or who may simply be totally incompetent. Amateur photographs make lovely extra mementoes of the day but nothing more.