I have read a lot of blogs advising brides (and grooms) on how to find and choose a wedding photographer... but I rarely come across any literature about when to choose your photographer.
OK, yes, I do read about how photographers book up, so it's best to book far in advance - but I mean "when" in terms of wedding planning timeline.
If you don't really know anything about photography, other than you know when you like photos and when you don't, you probably don't know the features to look out for at a wedding venue.
I always meet my clients at their wedding venue at some point before the wedding. We walk around all the areas they will be using and I take notes on various points. Most of the time the couple are surprised and comment that they had never even noticed certain features that I point out.
If a couple has already booked a venue I tend to only point out the good features, but if you have the luxury of viewing a venue or two with your photographer before booking.. do it!
Of course a good photographer can produce good photos in any situation - that's why you are paying a professional - but a good photographer given a fantastic venue - will produce stunning images!
A few examples of things I think about when visiting a venue.
When you walk down the aisle, is there a bright doorway behind you?
What type of lighting is in the room, multiple sources of different types?
Are you visiting at the same time of the day and year you will be getting married... will it be darker on the day? When you sign the register, are you going to be sitting in front of a window? When the ceremony room is full with the seats for your guests, will there be space for the photographer to move around without having to walk up and down the aisle? Does your venue allow you to use confetti? Are there white/neutral ceilings and walls the photographer can bounce a flash off (please people, stop booking venues with black ceilings!!) Is there somewhere with multiple levels for group portrait photos? Are the pretty areas for photos realistically accessible for a bride in heels and a long white dress?
Is there any maintenance work planned... i.e. will there be scaffolding covering the beautiful building you are choosing? Is there parking space for all your guests - some registry offices require guests to park in the nearest multi-storey... which is fine, but factor this in when you work out travel time to the next venue for photos. Where will the cake be set up... and is there space for you to stand near it for the cake cutting shot? Will your DJ turn all the lights off for your first dance? Will your table decorations be at face height? Is your wedding breakfast room so packed full that the photographer wont be able to access all tables?
Does your colour scheme clash with the venue colours?
Will the venue be redecorated a different colour before you get married?