Think about it. Your wedding pictures will define your memories of the big day for the rest of your life -- a very sobering thought! That's why it's so important to choose the right photographer.

Sure, you want to find someone who has the skills needed to document your day of days. But don't underestimate the importance of liking, if not bonding, with your photographer. Some of the best shots of your main event will be those taken behind the scenes, and you need to be comfortable about inviting him or her backstage. The lens captures not only joy and love, but also tension and discomfort, so finding a trusted photographer will make a big difference in creating the wedding album of your dreams.

Honing in on the right photographer takes legwork and foresight, says Lori Zervantian of Farrar Photography in Anchorage. She suggests checking photographers' web sites first to see their work, and then meeting with three, four or five of them to assess styles and attitudes.

"The photographer is with you the whole wedding day," she says. "You should definitely click."

Before even talking to any of them, think about the kind of images desired, says Heath Sandall, owner of Focus Unbound in Fairbanks. Do you want an emotional and artistic story of the day, or a record of the day's events? Do you want a storytelling approach or a traditional representation? Do you want posed shots, candid shots on the fly, or both?

"It's not difficult to find photographers that make beautiful photographs," he said, "but what can be more of a challenge is finding a photographer whose images truly strike a deep emotional chord in the couple."

A lot of the "click" between photographers and couples happens from the get-go, so trust your instincts, says Melissa Laggis, owner of The Picture Lady studio in Wasilla. Pay attention to how comfortable you feel when you meet and talk to the photographer, and then look at her samples carefully, she said.

"Look at the faces of the people in the images," she continued. "Do they look comfortable?"

More specifically, ask these questions when assessing someone's work, said Sandall: Do the photographs represent a consistent style or are they quite varied? If the photographer shoots as a photojournalist, are the images ripe with emotion? Do the people in the photographs look relaxed and unaware of the camera? If the photographer is a traditional shooter, are the poses elegant and consistent? Do the people look happy and is the lighting perfect?

"You can't create great wedding images unless you are very good with people," he explained. "Couples can be fairly confident that if they view complete weddings from a photographer, and those images really speak to them emotionally, then the photographer will be a wonderful asset to their wedding day."

In Zervantian's view, photographers with laid-back personalities do the best work. "I find that the best photographers in the business have great, mellow personalities," she said. "They don't have to be controlling to get the perfect picture. It's kind of a Zen thing."

About now, you might be thinking of asking a friend to shoot your wedding or hiring a cheap referral. Think twice. Zervantian has heard of several "friends of the family" who canceled at the last minute and left the couple in the lurch. She also recommends staying away from unusually low-priced photographers unless you have several really strong, reliable referrals.

Professionals rely on their reputations to stay in business, she said, and they care both about their livelihood and the value of their work. Those with experience and skill know what they're worth, so don't get sticker shock right away either.

"We're seeing photographers charging a minimum of $3,000 in some places and I'd say $2,000 in this town," said Zervantian, who works in Anchorage.

Here are some more questions to ask a potential photographer: Is she insured? Does she carry back-up equipment? What happens if he can't get to the wedding because of an accident or emergency? What is her pricing structure? What is included with the price in terms of hours of coverage, images, enlargements, album credit, digital files or negatives, and so on?

Once comfortable with someone's skill, personality and price, hire him or her right away, preferably many months ahead of time. Here in Alaska, the best photographers book up quickly.

Most of all, says Laggis, don't underestimate the role of the photographer.

"After all, the flowers die, the cake gets eaten, the dress will never be worn again, and the day will go by so quickly you'll barely remember the details," she observes. "All you have left when the whirl-wind dies down are the images from that day. If you don't get good photographs it's not really possible to have a 'do-over.' Invest in talented, capable, and hardworking photographers and you won't have to worry about losing those precious memories."

Read more about planning the ultimate Alaskan wedding. Pick up a copy of Alaska Bride & Groom magazine, on newsstands now. Alaska Bride & Groom is your complete Alaska wedding guide.