Get your perfect big-day shots with a little help from top Berks, Bucks and Oxon wedding photographer

So, you've set the date and booked the venue. Now, how do you go about finding the a photographer for your special day? Oxfordshire-based photographer Alexandra Davies spoke to us about finding the right one for you...

Choosing a photographer can daunting. How on earth do you narrow down the choice to find one that really suits you as a couple? Your photographer is the one supplier who you will spend the most time with on your wedding day so it's essential that you get on.

Choose a style. Does the thought of having your photograph taken fill you with dread? Then choose a documentary-style photographer who will capture moments very naturally and should be unobtrusive, allowing you to relax and enjoy your wedding day. If you're more comfortable in front of the camera and want amazing couple portraits that wouldn't look out of place in a fashion magazine, then search for someone appropriate. If you want to capture lots of family group shots, then look for a more traditional photographer. Whatever you decide on, that's your starting point.

It's good to get recommendations from friends who've been recently married. Set your budget. You do need to have a ballpark figure in mind. Photographers range from hundreds to thousands of pounds so prioritise what to spend your wedding budget on. If photography is important to you, set aside an appropriate amount. The average spend on wedding photography in the UK last year was around the £1,500 mark.

Start looking early. Photographers get booked up between six to 18 months in advance so enquire as soon as you can. Expect to pay a deposit or booking fee to secure the photographer for your chosen date. Make sure you meet your wedding photographer or at least speak with them on the phone before you book. If there's a clash of personality or a difference between expectations and what's delivered, it's better to find out early on in the process.

Alexandra Davies is an internationally-qualified wedding photographer based in a village in South Oxfordshire. She works all over Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, and further afield for really unusual or unique weddings. To find out more about her work or to get in contact, go to Alexandra Jane. And for more top tips about getting the most out of your big-day photographer, check out the February/March 2019 issue of Your Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wedding - on sale now.