HAVING made one of the biggest decisions of your lives, you will need to ensure that your wedding is properly photographed, writes ANTONY GOOD.

Your occasion may also be one of the few times the whole family is together, often four generations, so wedding photography should be entrusted to an experienced, professional photographer.

Your wedding is far too important to be left to an enthusiastic amateur. Professional photographers are familiar with most of the churches and wedding venues in the area and know the clergy and reception staff. They have staff of their own, they use professional equipment, carry spare cameras and equipment and are not deterred by difficult or inclement conditions.

It is this experience and knowledge that you are relying upon. Choose your photographer for the quality and styles of work you like, check they are members of the British Institute of Professional Photographers or Master Photographers' Association and that they are properly insured.

Ensure you meet the photographers a few weeks before the wedding to discuss the arrangements, confirm the shooting schedule and timetables, and plan in detail the special pictures required, so that the photographer can operate in an unobtrusive manner on the big day.

You can then leave it to the photographer to organise all the important groups you require. Afterwards, professional photographers will be able to produce photographs of virtually any size and finish and will have a wide choice of albums, leaves, portfolios and frames to add the finishing touch.

It is important that at the time you book you establish exactly the prices you will be paying and ensure that there are no hidden extras. Remember quality photographers are always in demand, so you must be prepared to book them early.

Photographers have a lot of advice to offer. After all, they are the only ones who see and attend all stages of the wedding, after starting at the bride's home and working until the end of the reception.