I have had so many couples tell me that the one of the most important parts of their day is getting great wedding photos. While it is such an important aspect often the schedule of the day doesn't reflect the importance they feel in their heart. From my perspective of having shot weddings for over six years and I have developed some tips for getting the most out of your wedding photographer.

Be sure to do an engagement session before the wedding. This allows you and the photographer to better get to know each other. You also figure out what works and what doesn't work so that you are not "practicing" on wedding day.
Be on time. While this may seem obvious being late can cost you dozens if not hundreds of precious photos to remember your day. I'd suggest you make your time line conservative. Have a serious talk with people who are "time challenged" so they don't make you late.
Go through your timeline with your photographer in detail and ask him/her their thoughts on how realistic the timeline is.
Give your photographer a detailed family photo checklist. This checklist will make help speed things up and ensure that you get these important photos from your day.
Share this list with both of your parents and make sure they are happy and that you have negotiated with them for important portraits.
Enlist an assistant to the photographer who knows most of the family to run the checklist. This person can get the next group on deck ready while the photographer shoots the current group. Things move fast and efficiently this way and the experience feels much less chaotic.
Go through the photographer's portfolio and point out images that you are really drawn to. This will help them get a mental picture of your style and inform their approach to the day.

7 ways to get the most out of your wedding photographer