There are literally thousands of wedding photographers on the net just waiting to take your money, but unfortunately some of them are cowboys.

When it comes to wedding photography, consistency is key. Most so-called wedding photographers will get lucky on occasions, but can they do a great job from start to finish? Always ask your prospective photographers to show you a portfolio of shots from two recent weddings (the whole day) so you can size them up, instead of them just showing you their best images.

Let’s get down to dosh. A wedding photographer is important and not something to scrimp on, but when putting your big day together, you have to think of the whole picture (pardon the pun).

You don’t need to spend a fortune on a photographer, but you do want to look great on the big day - so around 5 to 10% of the budget will do nicely.

When meeting your candidates, ask yourself these things: are they assertive enough to seek out great moments, cajoling enough to coax relaxed smiles and natural stances from guests, and calm enough to have a positive impact on proceedings? Also, do they ask you plenty of questions about what you want, and are they a good listener?

If you’ve answered yes to all of the above, chances are you’re onto a winner.

Once you’ve made your decision, the best thing to do is build a solid relationship with your photographer to ensure you get the best results on the day. Confirm things like the booking process, the small print, the style and tone you want, the day’s agenda, and a contingency plan in case he or she falls sick.

Basically, it pays to gain a rapport and cover all bases well in advance.