Photography

We narrowed it down to three options based off our research of package prices and galleries on their website. We reached out to those three for a meeting to be able to see a full gallery, review their contract and see if we got a good vibe from them. We heard back from two of them. We met with those two options and they brought a full gallery for us to see as well as a copy of their contract and what their packages included. They had pretty similar styles and we loved both their work and their personalities, but the photographer we ultimately chose was just a bit more reasonably priced and had also already shot a wedding at our venue.

I booked based on looking off pictures, package prices and reviews. I heard back from a few, had a phone call with my favorite and ultimately booked him since he was super nice and personable. I went with someone who owns their own business versus some big corp. who just sends you whoever is available.

You can 100% meet up with potential photographers or at least talk to them on the phone to see if they would be a good fit. Most want to have a conversation first before you book/sign contract so you can ask questions

One of my friends got married a few months before we got engaged and I absolutely loved her photos so I knew right away that I wanted to use the same photographer. I reached out to her and we scheduled a telephone call since I couldn't do an in person meeting because I live several hours away. After talking to her, I was even more sure. She was super easy to talk to and things just clicked. A was so impressed with her work that she also took our maternity photos earlier this year.

I met mine at a bridal expo. I found out about it at the last minute and I was wandering the booths and some of her photos caught my eye. She had some that were a little quirky, which I loved and they were all beautiful. When I was looking at her photos she was friendly and personable (she had also found out about the expo last minute), so I showed her work to my (now) husband and we contracted with her soon after.

Absolutely no regrets. Our engagement session was super fun and our pictures from both the engagement session and the wedding are fantastic.

I've been researching, looking at portfolios and reviews and scheduled a few zoom meetings with three of them. We're hoping to ask our questions, see a full album (ideally at our venue as all of the ones we're considering have shot there before), and see a contract before booking. All of the ones I reached out to wanted to meet with us at least via zoom before booking. I'd inquire about that with the ones you're seriously considering.

I don't think test shots are a thing, but I did meet in person with the photographers I was seriously considering before making a decision. I would definitely recommend setting up some meetings

I started on our venue's Instagram page and looked for ones that I liked there. I can be more confident knowing she's worked at our venue before.

I think it a great idea to meet with a photographer whose work you are interested in. Ask to see one entire wedding, not just their portfolio work. Most would have that available.
Doing a test shoot with them is an option as long as they are hired/paid in full and at their going rate for their services. I would not expect anyone to do a test of their work for free.
Usually an engagement session is offered once a deposit is put down. This gives the couple and photographer an opportunity to work with each prior to the wedding day. If it doesn’t work out and you cancel the contract, the photographer was paid for their time/services for the e-session (usually this is the non refundable retainer) and you maintain the images.