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

The occasion may also be one of the few times the whole family is together, so your wedding should be entrusted to an experienced, professional photographer - it is far too important to be left to an enthusiastic amateur.

Professionals 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 spares 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 photographer a few weeks before the wedding to discuss the arrangements, confirm the shooting schedule and timetables and plan in detail any special pictures required, so 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 there are no hidden extras.

Remember, quality photographers are always in demand, so be prepared to book them early.

Name that tune

"Victoria, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria loved the works of Mendelssohn and Wagner," explains Kate Smallwood, editor of www.confetti.co.uk.

"When she married, she entered the church to The Bridal Chorus, by Richard Wagner, and chose Felix Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream to leave.

"A lot of traditions seem to come from Royal weddings, so these are now the two traditional wedding marches."

However, if you're keen to try something different, the choice is yours, she adds.

"It's completely personal. Often, the music is meaningless to the couple and it's not very suitable unless you're having a really traditional wedding.

"So, people might look for an alternative classical piece - or it can be anything. One of my friends walked down the aisle to a Michael Jackson song - they liked it!"

If you're worried about family disagreements, Kate does offer a solution: "You could go traditional on your way in and have something a bit wacky and fun on the way out, when the atmosphere's less solemn and everyone's ready to celebrate."

"Victoria, the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria loved the works of Mendelssohn and Wagner," explains Kate Smallwood, editor of www.confetti.co.uk.

"When she married, she entered the church to The Bridal Chorus, by Richard Wagner, and chose Felix Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream to leave.

"A lot of traditions seem to come from Royal weddings, so these are now the two traditional wedding marches."

However, if you're keen to try something different, the choice is yours, she adds.

"It's completely personal. Often, the music is meaningless to the couple and it's not very suitable unless you're having a really traditional wedding.

"So, people might look for an alternative classical piece - or it can be anything. One of my friends walked down the aisle to a Michael Jackson song - they liked it!"

If you're worried about family disagreements, Kate does offer a solution: "You could go traditional on your way in and have something a bit wacky and fun on the way out, when the atmosphere's less solemn and everyone's ready to celebrate."