Wedding Advice: Selecting a Photographer

What should brides and grooms consider when selecting a photographer for their wedding?
My main advice for couples when looking for a wedding photographer is to look closely at the prospective photographers wedding portfolio. All photographers have a different approach and editing style, make sure that their style is what you are looking for.
Another thing to take into consideration is your budget, although many photographers will work with a bride and groom as far as payment options. If they are too expensive or if they don't charge enough which is something I will provide insight on in a bit, have realistic expectations as to how much you are willing to pay.           
With that being said please remember that you get what you pay for and I strongly advise caution when working with a photographer that is not charging or charging under the usual wedding photographer rate which is anywhere from $1,000-$1,400 /4 hrs to $2,000 - $2,600/8+ hrs.(There are even a number of photographers who have honed their craft and charge upwards of 10,000.. but I'll just keep this post about the average wedding photographer)  **This price often does not include an assistant so check whether you will have a 2nd/3rd shooter for your wedding. A WORD TO THE WARY: Often a free photographer is a  new photographer, and may not have the experience or know-how when dealing with an unforeseen circumstance. Also, they may not know how to plan the flow of the session to ensure that you get all of the important wedding moment photos. If you are easy going and just want to capture a few images and have no expectations, on quality or clarity, and don't care whether or not you have any decent pictures then this is less of a concern.
             If you are hoping to save money  "the early bird catches the worm" aptly applies to a couple planning for a wedding. When working with any vendor securing your product or session at least 10 months ahead of time may save you a bit of money, it will also ensure that your date is more likely to be available. Many photographers have promos geared towards the "planning ahead" bride, as they like to fill their calendar months out, so keep that in mind when you start looking around.
Finally, find out how you will receive your images and how many you will receive. Some wedding photographers only offer negatives, others offer a high resolution CD, some may have inclusive package options, others create custom packages for your wedding. When interviewing potential photographers ask plenty of questions beforehand, and take notes so that you can compare the potential photographers for your wedding.

REMEMBER:

• Check the photographers portfolio to make sure their style coincides with your tastes
• Are the photographers fees within your budget,  if you really like their style, but have a smaller budget, find out if they have payment plans.
• A free photographer is an option, but you are taking a chance on not getting quality images on one of the most important days in your life.
• Scheduling your session early is a good way to get a quality photographer at a lesser price. 
• Know what you are getting ahead of time how many images, prints, cd, etc., to avoid surprises later