If you're marrying in a resort or someplace where a photo package is included in your wedding, you won't have a choice of photographers. And that may be fine with you — it makes everything easy. You'll choose from packages offered in various sizes and prices. Before you choose, though, do ask if it's possible to see samples online. While digital pictures sometimes appear grainy when sent through cyberspace, you can get a fairly good idea of what kinds of pictures you can expect. For example:

• Are the bride and groom standing in a dark hallway? Can you make out their faces?

• How do the colors appear? Are they vibrant or washed out?

• What kind of composition did the photographer use? Is the wedding party nicely arranged, or does it look as though your Aunt Dottie ambushed them with her instant camera?

• Generally speaking, are they nice-looking pictures?

You may not have any choice when it comes to who takes the pictures; however, if the sample photos look amateurish, this speaks to the quality of photographers that your wedding site hires. You don't want to blow a lot of money on an album that is filled with pictures of similar (bad) quality, so you'll be better off purchasing the smallest package available.

If the sample photos are really bad, you might want to rethink (or at least re-research) your wedding destination. You have to go on the assumption that they've sent you the best samples they have; if the pictures are bad, how bad will the food be? And how about the musicians?