Photographer

What makes you think they are not legit? Look at their website and social media. You should see lots of photos from real weddings, as well as some Google reviews.

Definitely check out reviews! Look at multiple sites (Google, ThumbTack, Yelp, etc), and don't use only reviews on Wedding Wire or The Knot to make your decision. Also, do not pay any deposit until you have a signed contract by both you and the photographer. Setup meetings to ask them questions and get more info before booking, and ask to see an example or two of full wedding albums of their work.

Definitely check out reviews from multiple sites! Look at their work on all their social media accounts. I like to see if they have tagged the couple in the pictures They have posted on Instagram or Facebook. If so, follow that tag to the couples pages and see if there are additional photos by the photographer. If you find one you are really interested in, set up a meeting or a phone consult with them. Have all your questions for them written down, and see what kind of vibe you get from them. If you like them, you can book a short engagement shoot with them. Engagement shoots are much less expensive, and you don’t have to commit to having them do your wedding photos. Let them do the engagement photos and see how they turn out. If you love them, can you can then book them for your wedding. And if the photos turn out bad, then you have saved a lot of money and disappointment, and can continue your search for the right photographer!

I found alot of photographers on the Weddingwire planning app. I read reviews and went to their website listed. I made a list and then searched for them on Instagram and followed the ones that have active accounts. Once I decided the style I liked and which ones I could afford, I emailed or submitted online contact. The one I chose had a great conversation about what I was looking for and then sent me a contract.

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Thank you, so I made a Facebook post and got a lot of great leads, some I just couldn’t find much on or no websites so it’s hard just going off of what they say they had great photos

Check google reviews, ask for recommendations from previous clients, and ask for albums they've done before.

Always ask for their work, get their facebook, and check those reviews. If you someone who worked with them that's even better. The Facebook post was a good idea good luck on your search

Their website, their social media, reading reviews, contacting them and meeting for an "interview". All very important when hiring any vendor.