Here’s our guide to helping you choose the best wedding photographer for your Essex wedding:

Decide what type of images you want; traditional family line-ups, relaxed reportage style pictures, or a mix of both? This will help to narrow down which photographer’s style is best for you.

Meet the photographer before appointing them. Remember the wedding photographer will be beside you throughout the day, sharing those important moments with you both, so it’s important that you can get on with them!

Ask to see examples of their work. A complete wedding portfolio would be best, that way you can see how they work and what they can do with their camera.

What do you want captured? The bride getting ready, the groom and his mates preparing to leave, the ceremony, wedding breakfast, first dance or the whole evening celebration? How much of the day you would like to be covered will impact on the price, and on timings during the day.

Make sure it is clear what you get for your money, that way you can avoid any post-wedding arguments over extra fees and additional services. Also, ask whether you will get a copyright free file of your photos after the day – not all photographers do this, so be warned.

Ask about what happens if the photographer is ill on your wedding day, do they have a back-up plan?

Give some thought to what group shots – if any – you want taking and if there are some guests you really want to be photographed with. If there is, give the photographer a list.

Visit all the key locations with your photographer ahead of your wedding, show the photographer the church, venue, parents’ homes etc so you can plan ahead and choose the best locations to get the shots you want. Consider where to shoot the best photos too if it happens to be raining outside.

Have an engagement or pre-wedding photo shoot with your photographer. This will give you the opportunity to get to know the photographer and you’ll be more relaxed in their company on the big day.

Ask your wedding co-ordinator at your venue to recommend a few good wedding photographers, that’s always a good starting point to making a shortlist.

Finally, relax, smile and enjoy your wedding!

To find out more about weddings at Vaulty Manor, please visit www.vaultymanor.co.uk/weddings