Photography packages vary greatly, but you should be able to find a quality photographer who can provide you with a package within your budget. First, decide how important your wedding pictures and video are to you, and budget accordingly. Remember, you'll have these images forever, so think carefully before you trim away extra costs. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your investment.

Shop Around: Photographers' and videographers' fees vary widely depending on experience, background, and demand. Take your time researching the best available vendors within your price range.

Add the Parents: Even if your parents plan to purchase albums themselves, you may get a better rate by incorporating their album requests into your initial quote rather than buying them postwedding.

Album Notes: Leather albums are pricey and not the only option -- photographers usually offer more basic albums. If the budget's really tight, your photographer can simply provide the photos and you can put together your own album. Just make sure you use acid-free paper.

Keep It Short and Formal: Need to cut a few more dollars? Hire a professional to capture only the posed formal wedding photographs. Photographers who shoot candid shots use more film, and the cost adds up. Supplement your formal photos by asking a few friends to snap candid pictures during the reception.

Color Your World: Black-and-white photos are often printed by hand and can be significantly more expensive than color photography. Ask around, and if you find this to be the case, ask your photographer to work entirely with color film.

For the Brave at Heart: Hire an advanced student from a reputable photography or film program to photograph or film your wedding. As a bonus, many students will charge a flat fee and give you the negatives. Be sure to research carefully if you choose this option.

Too Good to Be True: If you find a photographer whose prices are very low, make sure to go over a large sampling of their wedding-related photos and talk to at least three references before you hand over the deposit. Beware of any photographer who insists that you pay in full before your film has been developed. You'll find it hard to get your money back if the pictures don't come out.