Wedding Advice – Here Comes the Blog

Archive for the ‘Planning’ Category

It used to be that prenuptial agreements were viewed as negative documents that suggested the marriage was doomed even before the wedding began. But not anymore. While no one wants to focus on an untimely parting at such a happy time, smart people take a break from looking at wedding favors and are taking a look at the pluses and minuses of signing a prenup with their partner.

As the very helpful site Prenuptial Agreements (www.prenuptialagreements.org) notes, “All marrying couples have a ‘prenuptial agreement’ – it is known as ‘divorce law.’” In the event of a divorce, there are certain laws that will automatically kick in. They vary by the state you reside and/or were married in, but they are very specific about what’s going to take place at break-up. So, some couples want to take matters into their own hands and decide ahead of time, should the unthinkable split occur, how their assets and finances will be distributed.

You should contact a lawyer who specializes in prenuptial agreements if you are even thinking of creating one. And while this article is not intended to offer legal advice of any kind, there are a few reasons you might want to consider drafting a prenup.

If you are marrying for the second time and want to protect what you already have as far as money for your children’s education, the house you currently own, etc., you’ll want to get that set down in ink. Also, if you have a lot of assets or are making a great deal of money, you’ll want a say in where that money goes should you split. And the prenup can also be the deciding factor in discerning how much alimony must be paid out or can be claimed should the marriage break up.

But what if you’re not making much or don’t have many monetary assets? Should you still consider the prenup? A prenup can protect the partner who is not as well off financially from being cut off in the event of a divorce. Once you are accustomed to living in a certain style, it can be devastating to think about returning to a cold water flat alone. This will help secure your future.

There are other reasons to enter into a prenuptial agreement. Say you’re the owner of a small business. Do you know what would happen to your business if you and your partner split? Do all the years of hard work you put in before you met your spouse get split 50/50? If you have a prenup, it can state how much, if any, of your business can be touched by the other party.

One final reason behind the prenup that often surfaces in old Hollywood movies is to see if the person you are marrying really loves you or your money. If your intended refuses to sign the agreement, it may mean you should look at your situation more closely.

A sound prenuptial agreement is designed to protect both parties, not just one. So if you feel you’ve been asked to sign a document that is unfairly biased against you, get your own lawyer to look at it. And then take her advice!

Perhaps the loveliest part of the prenuptial agreement is what’s called the Sunset Clause. This little clause, when included in the document, allows that if you and your spouse are married a certain number of years, the agreement becomes invalid. That’s something to look forward to in your golden years!

Related Marriage Posts:

• Failure of the Institution of Marriage
• Prospects for the Future of Marital Therapy
• Working on This Marriage Consciously and Deliberately

Most people who are engaged to be married experience some form of cold feet. They feel some nervousness or have waves of panic or uncertainty. That’s a normal part of taking a big step in your life. But how do you know if your particular cold feet are of the garden variety or if they are something to cause you to stop and postpone or cancel the wedding? While only you can judge the reality of your situation, here are some things to think about.

• Consider your fiancé. How long have you been together? Do you know him well enough? Are there any specific things about him that you absolutely cannot get past? Is there something in the relationship that has been wrong, not dealt with, and brushed off? These are some things to consider.
• Are you going through with the wedding because you are embarrassed that you’ve already invested so much time and money and invited everyone you know? That happens to many brides and grooms. But going through with a wedding when you know it isn’t right is worse than any embarrassment you might feel at calling it off last minute. You may have lost deposits, and guests will return their wedding gifts, but it will cost you more in money and emotions to go through a divorce.
• Do you differ in religion and are not addressing it? Do you secretly think or hope your fiancé will convert to your religion once you are married? Have you planned to raise any children in your own religion regardless of what your fiancé says? These are signs you might be making a mistake. You need to talk to your partner about these serious issues.
• Have you talked about having kids and come to no conclusion? Does one of you want kids while the other doesn’t? This is a huge issue that’s not just going to work out by itself. This needs to be addressed before the wedding takes place.
• Are you running away from something? Do you not want to live at home anymore so you’ve chosen to get married? Are you afraid of being alone? Do you think you’re getting too old to be single, so you figure you’ll just get married to the guy you’re with? Dangerous territory. Examine your motives and talk to someone you trust about these feelings.
• Has your future spouse ever hit you or verbally abused you? Does either one of you have a drinking or drug problem that you’re hiding or not addressing? Has either of you been unfaithful for any reason?
• If one or both of you have children from another marriage, do you know each other’s children well? Have you spent enough time with them? Are they comfortable about the marriage?
• Is either of you in any financial trouble that you have not openly talked about? Dishonesty in any area can lead to disaster.
• Do you just get a sinking feeling that you are making a mistake? Has it lasted more than just a few minutes? Has it been haunting you? Examine what you’re feeling now.

If any of the above has caused you to consider your decision, don’t lose heart. It just means you’re taking a good look at the relationship before it becomes etched in stone. Talk to family, friends, clergy, mentors, or others you trust. It doesn’t necessarily mean your relationship is over. It just means you need to pause and think more about what you’re doing.

More Wedding Planning Tips:

What To Include in the Wedding Programs

How To Set Up A Wedding Dessert Bar

When you get to the part in your wedding planning where you select the music, you can really start having fun. The music you have at your wedding can be as personal as you’d like it to be. Here are some things to consider.

• If you are having a themed wedding, your music should incorporate that theme, but don’t, by any means, limit yourself to only beach music if you are having a beach wedding or classical music if you are having a fairytale wedding. You might just want to play some theme music for the cocktail hour then switch over to a full mix of tunes.
• Think about all the places you will need music. You’ll certainly want some music playing in the background as guests wait for you to walk down the aisle. Then there’s the music for when you are actually coming down the aisle. And then a recessional for when you’re walking out of the church. That takes care of the ceremony.
• Consider the music you will have at the cocktail hour when everyone is waiting for the wedding party to arrive. Often photos are taken of the bridal party at this time and it can often be a bit lengthy for the guests who are waiting for your arrival. Have some nice music (and plenty of appetizers) to keep them entertained.
• You’ll need to select music for your first dance. This can be anything from a slow love song to a wacky choreographed dance as some wedding couples are now doing.
• Spend most of your effort and time planning the reception music. That’s what everyone will remember because it will set the tone for the entire eating and dancing period.
• Plan to have soft music in the background or favorite love songs while folks are eating. You don’t want to blast them out of the room while they’re trying to enjoy their dinner. This is also a good time for you to include your theme music playing lightly in the background.
• Now the fun really begins. You can get as creative as you like with the actual dance tunes. Some couples download tracks into their iPods and then just plug them in to speakers and have enough music for the whole evening. Others have a DJ or live band. Select a mix of songs that are meaningful to you as a couple and also those that guests can dance to—both slow and fast.
• Keep the guests in mind. If you have a somewhat elderly crowd of relatives, don’t play only hip hop. Include some jazz or oldies they’ll feel comfortable dancing to. If your guest list is composed of mostly your college friends, then go ahead and include the Funky Chicken or the Macarena. You can include them anyway and you’ll be surprised how many older folks will get up and dance. But just be sure there are other selections geared to other generations than just your own.
• Two things that can ruin a wedding reception are music that is too loud and a dance floor that is too small. Get together with the venue and ask them how many people the dance floor can hold. If the number won’t accommodate your crowd, you may want to opt for a larger room.
• You may not notice that the music is too loud because you’re busy running around and talking to guests, but take a second and listen. Is it too loud in the reception hall to hold a conversation at a normal volume? Are people screaming to be heard? Can you hear the music clearly all the way from the restroom down the hall? Put yourself in charge of the volume of the music. It’s your reception, so don’t be afraid to speak up. Chances are if you have to ask “What?” too many times when someone speaks to you, so do others in the room.  Most guests will be too polite to say anything about the decibel level, so do it yourself.

More Tips on Wedding Music:

1. Choosing a DJ versus a Live Band
2. How To Choose A DJ For Your Wedding

Ah, the stress and frenetic pace of the wedding is over; it's time to take your honeymoon gifts enjoy yourself sunning on a beach or skiing down snowy slopes in an exotic location.  Planning your honeymoon doesn't have to be a stressful event – in fact, it can be your chance to finally go to a destination of which you've always dreamed.  Where will your dream honeymoon be?

Paris, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, London, New York, Aspen, Brussels, and other premiere cities are prime destinations for newlyweds, and each is well worth the trip.  But if you want to go off the beaten path a little and have an adventure that will surely become your second favorite memory (after the big day, of course!), why not try a less traveled road?

Marrakech.

The “Red City,” nestled in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, in Morocco, is the perfect locale for fragrant, spice-filled, mysterious, and sensual travel.  Home to Yves Ste. Laurent, you can be sure that Marrakech is thoroughly chic and sophisticated.  The city is an intriguing mix of winding, narrow streets with nooks and crannies filled with souks, or shops, and ancient buildings, and modern shopping and restaurants.  You can enjoy visiting the Djemaa El-Fna, the largest night market in the world, being hypnotized by snake charmers, exotic music, acrobats, and scrumptious street food or go to Gueliz to shop and dine on traditional and European cuisine.

With awesome natural beauty, including the Ourika and Draa Rivers, the Atlas Mountains, the Atlantic, and Waterfalls of Benj Mellal, Marrakech is a feast for all of your senses.  What better place to enjoy and explore for the first time as a married couple?

Hunter Valley Wine Country, Australia.

France and the Napa Valley are all right, but for an exquisite treat, visit the wine country in Australia, an up-and-coming wine market and premiere destination for epicureans and wine lovers.  Featuring stunning scenery, the Hunter Valley will allow you to go biking, touring by foot, helicopter, or hot air balloon, golfing, visiting the many wineries, breweries, and cheese shops that dot the incredible landscape.  In Australia's winter, Hunter Valley is a lover's paradise with cold nights, crisp days, fireplaces, hot spas, and unique wines.  This destination is not as widely traveled as other famous wine regions – but it's getting there.  Beat the crowd!

The Beaches of Thailand.

If you have the urge to hit the beach, consider going to Thailand.  You have never seen such blue water.  Ao Nong, Koh Lanta, and Nang Cape are great choices that will allow you to soak in the brilliant sun, take a dip in water that is beyond belief, and stay in accommodations that are geared towards a wide range of budgets.  The highlight will surely be kayaking along the Railay Beach, gazing up at sandstone cliffs.  Force yourself to buy your return ticket; you won't want to leave!

If you want to spend a few weeks as a beach bum, also consider the Indian Ocean archipelago, Seychelles.  Over one 100 tropical paradise islands await.  Enjoy diving, snorkeling, watching giant tortoises, and after all of that, relaxing in a rustic, charming villa.  Gorgeous, pristine beaches rival anything the Mediterranean or Caribbean can offer.

The best honeymoon can be halfway around the world or in your first home together as husband and wife.  But if you do opt to travel, go somewhere romantic, exotic, and unforgettable.

Or, you can always plan a destination wedding and do it all in one swing! Check out this article on Planning a Destination Wedding - Finding The Right Spot.

When you consider that many couples now pay for their own weddings, it’s only natural that brides and grooms have started looking for sponsors to help cover the costs of their weddings. You may have heard about this and wondered what everyone was talking about. Why would someone want to help pay for your wedding? Good question.

First, it’s not that anyone is going to outlay cash for you to use for your wedding. You may, however, get companies to donate their wares towards your big day. The reason they might want to is so that they get more exposure.

Here’s an example of how you do it. You see a cake in a bakery window or at someone else’s wedding and want it for yours. You call the bakery and that gorgeous cake is out of your price range. You ask the baker if she will consider donating the cake in exchange for advertising at your wedding. You may have her business cards available next to the cake or even hang a tasteful banner reading, “This stunning cake was donated by Hannah’s Bakery.” You may be surprised at how receptive businesses can be to your request. In this day and age, businesses are hurting for customers and a great recommendation from a happy bride is the best advertising. That’s why they would go for it, if they do.

Be prepared that you may get a no. That’s fine. Just move on. Another way to go about it is to barter. Ask if the service provider, say the limo company, will let you have a limo for the day in exchange for your husband doing the businesses taxes this year for free. Any services can be bartered.

Use online venues to promote your wedding and seek sponsors. Start a free blog and ask for sponsors. Tell them you’d like to advertise their services and promote them at your wedding. You can include business cards at the guest book table or let them place an ad in your program. It’s ok to do if it’s done tastefully. But don’t overdo the promotions as your wedding will seem like a huge marketing effort instead of a joining of souls.

Other ways to ask for services include visiting bridal shows and participating in raffles and giveaways. Many fine companies will be represented there and they usually hold a drawing for a free cake or free tuxedo rentals. You may just be the lucky couple. Just expect to wait as they don’t usually pull the winning names until well after the event is over.

No matter how you go about asking for sponsors, plan on having to pay for the bulk of the wedding yourself. You may get lucky and a few kind vendors will offer their services in exchange for advertising. But for the big ticket items, from catering to wedding favors, you’re going to have to foot the bill yourselves.

One final idea is to look for wedding giveaway contests. Many TV shows and radio stations give away free wedding packages as promotions. Join any you can find and hope for the best. You may win a trip to Disneyland to be married in Cinderella’s castle. Who knows?

Related Articles:

• DIY Flower Ideas for the Budget Bride
• Discount Wedding Favor Ideas
• Frugal Wedding Tips - Feeding Your Guests
• Fake Cake Budget Secrets
• 20 Great Ways to save Money on your Wedding

You've finally made it. Through thick and thin, highs and lows, you have developed a romance even the best dating sites couldn't create. You're getting married to the man of your dreams. This is a major milestone in your life; a celebration of the joy and happiness you bring to each other's lives. Yet this landmark in your relationship isn't all sunshine and butterflies. Planning a wedding is a stressful process that can wear on your emotions. Before your big day hits, you will need to de-stress so you will look as gorgeous as ever walking down the aisle.

A) Indulge

While it's important that you're able to fit into that gorgeous gown, you also need foods that contain vitamins to help stabilize your mood. Eating foods with vitamins B2 and B12 will will provide the nutrients necessary for your brain to produce serotonin, a chemical that helps keep you calm and euphoric. Some of these anti stress foods include:

*Almonds, whole grain rice or pasta

*Fish, including sushi

*Broccoli, cantaloupe, blueberries

*Milk, cottage cheese

Most of these foods are healthy and can be integrated into any bridal diet, if they aren't already a part of it. Avoid caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol, all of which can only make you more stressed out and jittery. And always drink plenty of water.

B) Stick to what comforts you

Many brides schedule events for themselves to go out and relieve stress. Yoga classes, spa days, nights out with the girls are all fun, but if they're outside your normal routine, scheduling them can only add more stress.

It is best to do what normally helps you de-stress. If you frequently meditate, read, or hang out with your best friend, do that rather than break your usual schedule for a spa day. It is guaranteed to relax you more.

C) Spend some time alone

Planning a wedding requires you to be around people all the time. Bridesmaids, parents, planners, florists, even the groom-to-be can stress you out with all this wedding talk. Sometimes silence is golden. Find a nice, quiet place for you to sit and relax. This will give your brain time to process everything that's going on, and to flush out all those worrisome thoughts you've had built up.

Let this time be what you make of it. Make your favorite tea, take a nap, play some easygoing music--whatever makes you feel relaxed.

D) Exercise

Exercise will not only help you de-stress, but will help you stay the size you need to fit into your wedding gown. Doing simple cardio--such as the treadmill or elliptical machine-- or weightlifting will burn calories and produce endorphins, brain chemicals which also provide a euphoric feeling.

Remember the quote from Legally Blonde? "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands...."

E) Stay Positive!

It is almost your big day. Think of all the positive things happening in your life right now, and think about your future with your soon-to-be husband and all the wonderful things you will accomplish in your life together. Let the positives outweigh the negatives.

Weddings can be a stressful part of life, but in the end it will be worth it. Be thankful for all that you have been given, and you will be guaranteed to have a stress-free wedding day.

It used to be, in the days before active conservationists came on the scene, that rice was the thing to throw at weddings. No one gave it a second thought. It was supposed to signify good luck and prosperity to the happy couple. But instead, it was discovered that birds were eating the grains of rice and their bellies were becoming swelled. Apparently rice isn’t the best food for birds.

So careful brides switched over to bird seed. Wrapped in tulle or little bags, the birdseed can be fun and healthy for the birds at the same time. But it can be a little messy. Who wants to end up with bird seed in their expensive hairdo?

An alternative that finally makes sense is the inclusion of wedding bubbles. At the end of the ceremony, as the bride and groom exit the church, guests can blow bubbles at the departing couple. This solves all the problems!

Neatly packaged bubbles now exist for brides to purchase. They can be done up in ribbons or left as is. They now come in little white bottles in the shape of hearts or in other festive shapes. They include a tiny wand and soap bubble solution. Brides can now order them in bulk online for just pennies each. These cute little containers can be used as wedding favors to give away or just be used at the ceremony.

Some brides choose to wrap a bow or ribbon in their theme color around the tops of the bottles. It can be a cute touch, but if you find that your time is limited, you may want to skip this step. If you can’t imagine sitting down and tying ribbons to 150-300 miniature bottles, then skip the ribbon. They’ll look just as festive as is.

Bubbles are a nice way to go as there is no messy clean up. There’s also a nice photo opportunity when the bubbles are being blown. Instead of a whirling mass of birdseed flying in the air, guests will be seen oohing and ahhing over the lovely bubbles floating over the bride’s and groom’s heads. And the fun usually breaks out as guests turn into kids again and start blowing bubbles at each other, too.

It’s a great way to add levity to your ceremony and reception. Bubbles lend an air of freedom and lightheartedness. It sets the tone that the reception may be formal, but it won’t be stuffy. Guests just love when they see bubbles. There’s something about being allowed to blow bubbles in public that makes everyone giggle. Be sure to save several for your flower girl and ring bearer as they’ll really stay entertained by them.

You can shop online under “wedding bubbles” or you can go to a crafts store and pick up bundles of the little bottles all set to go. They usually come in packages of six or nine and are just a few dollars per pack. They have even shown up at the dollar store in the favors aisle. So you can cross off expensive birdseed packets from your list. These beauties are just a few cents each to bring home and they have a lot of eye appeal. It’s one trend that’s worth trying out.

More Popular Wedding Trends:

• The Wedding Sand Ceremony Trend
• Wedding Centerpiece Trends
• Wedding Cake Trends
• A New Trend Photobooths at the Reception
• Wedding Cake Topper Trends

Your wedding day is going to be unique. But your wedding timeline should be based on time-tested wisdom that has worked for brides in every age. Follow this schedule and you will have everything lined up at the right time. Build in some extra time if you have it. You’ll be ahead of the game when the last minute crunch hits.

12 to 16 months before the wedding

This is the time when you’ve just gotten engaged. You’re excited and you should be. However, don’t rush through the planning. Remember that you have lots of time in front of you. You’ll be able to get the best deals because you are starting early. Ask for discounts for early booking. You’ll be surprised at how many you get!

Choose your wedding date

Decide how you will keep your wedding records

Choose a theme for your wedding

Select your wedding reception site

Select a ceremony site

Put your engagement announcement in the paper

Set a budget

8 to 11 months before the wedding

Send out save the date cards if you’re using them

Start shopping for your gown

Hire a caterer if your reception site doesn’t provide the food

Start looking for a videographer

If you haven’t already, select the pastor, priest or rabbi who will perform your ceremony

Decide who will be in your bridal party

Start looking for a photographer

Start looking for a band or DJ

Set up your gift registry

Set the color and style of your bridesmaids’ dresses

Begin a preliminary list of who you’ll want to invite

5 to 7 months before the wedding

Shop for your wedding cake

Have your invitations printed (and thank you cards, too)

Finish your guest list

Call hotels and book rooms for out of towners

Start planning your honeymoon

4 months before the wedding

Choose your florist or decide which flowers you will need to make on your own

Be sure of your state’s wedding license requirements. If you need blood tests, get them now.

Buy your wedding bands

3 months before the wedding

Rent the tuxedos for the men

Send out your wedding invitations

Make or purchase wedding favors

Finalize your menu

Shop for gifts for the bridal party

Hire limos or other transport for the bridal party

2 months before the wedding

Have your wedding gown altered

Schedule times for the bridal party to be fitted for their gowns

Select an outfit for the flower girl and ring bearer

Confirm your flowers and cake orders

Plan for the rehearsal dinner (the groom’s family should pay for this)

Finalize the wedding music songs with the DJ or band

Order address labels with your new name and address

1 month before the wedding

Design your wedding program and print them

Have your final wedding gown fitting

Finalize wedding ceremony and reception decor (bows for church pews, wedding envelope box, guest book, etc.)

Get your marriage license

Decide on a hair style and make up with your beautician. Do a trial run.

Call all vendors to finalize details

2 weeks before the wedding

Have your bridal party or mom help call any guests who haven’t responded

Design your seating plan

Give final head count to the reception hall or caterer

1 week before the wedding

Confirm hotel and honeymoon reservations

Pack for honeymoon including passports

Confirm rehearsal dinner plans

Pick up your wedding gown and any other formal wear

1 day before the wedding

Get your manicure and pedicure

Give rings to the best man

Check your list to see if everything is done

Relax!

The day of the wedding, just get up and enjoy the day. Eat breakfast so you have something solid in your stomach, have your hair done and get dressed. Take lots of photos of all of you getting ready before the wedding.

Plan to write your thank you notes as soon as you arrive home from your honeymoon. The sooner, the better.

More on Wedding Planning:

• Planning A Wedding - Tips and Timelines
• Planning A Wedding - 1 to 3 Months in Advance
• Tips for Planning your own Wedding

We’ve been watching soon-to-be princess Catherine Middleton and her fiancé, our very own Prince William, plan an enormous wedding scheduled for the 29^th of this month. It’s being predicted that the event will break the record for the biggest TV wedding audiences, currently held by Will’s parents Charles and Diana. The couple are inviting 1,900 guests and will probably have the whole of London to struggle through when leaving the ceremony. So, if you think your wedding arrangements are stressful, just think what the royal couple has had to go through.

However, while they may have had the media spotlight trained on them, and the accompanying insistent paparazzi, it is safe to assume that not that much of the wedding planning has actually been done by the couple. They probably have an army of minions arranging flowers and picking out table settings. Most of you will not be so lucky. Wedding planning can be hugely stressful – whether you’re about to become a princess or marrying a match you met on dating sites. Here are a few pointers to make sure you stay calm through this arduous ordeal:

Plan your time well

The venue’s booked, the date’s set and you’ve sent out the invitations. At least now you have a definite deadline to work to. It’s imperative at this point to manage the time you have left carefully so you know what needs to happen and when. Make sure you have a diary and calendar to hand so you can write down reminders of what needs to be done over the next few weeks or months. In fact, write everything down – this way, you won’t worry you’ve forgotten something. Organization and time management are key to keeping on top of things and keeping calm.

Be realistic…

Don’t be too ambitious. Be realistic about the plans you have, and if something really isn’t possible within the time, or you think it could cause a lot of stress to arrange, cut it from the preparations. It’s simply not worth the hassle and will only add to an already stressful situation.

Work to a calculated budget…

Money is one of the biggest causes of woe during wedding plans. Make sure you have an agreed budget at the outset and then carefully plan out how this budget can be distributed. If you treat financial issues in this way, then you won’t feel guilty about making extravagant purchases or overspending.

Don’t let it take over…

Make sure you don’t let the preparations take over your life. Keep going to the gym and volunteering at the local primary school – keep the everyday routine going so you can escape into this if wedding planning gets too much.

Share the load…

Make sure you’re not planning alone. Your partner should be heavily involved in the arrangements, so if they’re not, make sure they’re carrying some of the weight. Family and friends will also be more than happy to help. If you share the responsibility, you share the stress!

Whether you met in Belfast online dating or in London double dating, don’t worry about planning the wedding day. If dealt with in the right way, preparations can be stress free!

Getting those memories down on paper, or stored online for for many years to come, is only one of the big decisions you will be making in relation to your wedding. However, it is the decision that will have the longest life. Choosing the right photographer can be a tricky task. You should take a composite view towards this decision making process. Here is a guide to some of the things to be on the look out for. It is your special day, and so let's get it right.

• Experience. You may choose your photographer based on all of their experience. You may choose your photographer based on their experience with weddings. If you are looking for something unique, a photographer who is very skilled in their job, and not necessarily one who does weddings all the time, may still be a good choice. Think outside the box in relation to experience. What you are looking for in previous work is the quality and personality. Someone who does not do much work in weddings might have some unique angles. Choose the quality of the images and style over the type of experience.
• Intuitive. Photography of people is all about people. In other words, if someone can take the right photos at the right time, they are probably intuitive at all times. This could be described as 'a professional illness'. Those who make the best hospitality professionals can rarely stop after work. A photographer will be the same. Pay a little attention to this matter and see how well they can read you during initial discussions.
• Attitude. Many artists like to feel special. That is fine if you are chasing them for a high-paying advertising campaign, but this is your wedding. Someone who is generally interested in the project is also extremely important. If they act like they are doing you a favor, then you need to consider them no more. Interest level of the photographer will have a huge impact on the quality of the shot. Really good photographers are fanatical about their job or the project they are working on.
• Personality. Photography is all about catching the mood. You have to be honest about how you feel about the photographer. This doesn't mean being 'satisfied'. It means that you should really like the person a lot. This will come out in the photographs. A picture speaks a thousand thoughts and emotions. What you are thinking and feeling at the time of the photograph will change the quality of the shot. Just because other people liked the photographer, or they have outstanding work, does not mean that you should be choosing them. How you feel about that person, is what really counts.

At the end of the day, this is your wedding, and so don't compromise on your choice of photographer. Spend some time finding someone you like, and enjoy being around. Someone who is building their career could be a very good choice.  The combination of all the factors above will mean the best images possible. You don't want to be just another wedding on another company production line.