Ask to see one full wedding, not a highlight reel
A highlight set is thirty frames from a hundred weddings. One complete wedding gallery shows you consistency, how they handle bad light, and whether the family portraits are usable.
Confirm who is actually shooting your day
Large studios sell a portfolio and send a different team. Ask for the names of the photographers assigned to your date and see their individual work.
Match the crew size to your function count
Two parallel functions need two teams. A single photographer covering both means half your day is missing.
Check delivery timelines in writing
Previews within a week, full gallery within six to eight weeks, and album after selection is a reasonable industry standard.
Discuss rituals before the day
A photographer who knows that antarpat drops once, or that a Malayali muhurtham lasts twenty minutes, does not need to be told where to stand.