Whеn choosing a wedding photographer, уоu ѕhоuld соnѕidеr еасh professional’s style. Wedding photographers specialise in different kinds оf styles, ѕо it’ѕ bеѕt tо аѕk plenty of questions rеgаrding thеir specialties.
Love is love, and one way to express that adoration for one another is a ceremony in front of other people you love. Weddings are rich in tradition, and the way to treasure those marquee moments, as well as the ones you may forget, is through photographs. A good wedding photographer documents the entire day through snapshots and candid pictures that you and your new spouse can reminisce for years to come.
Looking for your Mornington Peninsula Wedding Photographer can often be a lengthy process because it is no easy decision.
ULTIMATE LIST OF BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Wild Romantic Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
Call Elle today on 0434 484 811 or info@wildromanticphotography.com.
Of earth and salt, petal and pearl, of sweeping horizons that sing forever, we bring to life the passion and authenticity of true romance and capture moments that you will cherish always.
We are passionate about telling the story of your wedding day with original and romantic photography that's made to last a lifetime.
Our creative collective specialises in documentary-style images that express love, joy, community and connection.
Our wedding photos look beautiful, but they're raw and genuine, too – with timeless landscapes, divine portraits, colourful fashion shots and dreamy reportage.
We're all artists, and our clients are our muses. Based in Melbourne, we can find beauty in locations across the world and those closer to home. We've shot on windswept beaches and city rooftops in secret gardens and historic homesteads.
Wild Romantic offers bespoke photography packages that perfectly match your needs.
From quaint weddings in Sydney to lavish weddings in Melbourne – our professional wedding photographers are trained to capture those priceless candid moments of love, laughter and joy. We even offer pre-wedding photography should you wish to display your love through photos on a particular day proudly.
Wild Romantic Photography is a collective of inspired artists, photographers, and dreamers passionate about capturing precious moments that will forever speak to your heart. Our creative documentary style photography packages are meticulously tailored to the unique elements of your special day and include beautiful retouching of the memories we photograph to instil blissful nostalgia.
At Wild Romantic Photography, we understand what is required to capture a wedding in complete detail. A Wedding can last all day, and for most of it, we will be there by your side. Building a relationship where we understand and feel comfortable is key for ensuring we deliver your heart's desire.
We love getting to know our couples to tailor our creative documentary-style photography and film packages to the details of the day. We know that each event and romance is unique, and we strive to understand your story to deliver the masterpiece it deserves.
Call Elle today on 0434 484 811 or info@wildromanticphotography.com.
Perla Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0432 591 408
We are wedding photographers with a focus on Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula weddings.
On your wedding day, we take a natural, candid, and easygoing approach to photography. Don't worry, we'll make you feel at ease in front of the camera. We love laid-back weddings. Your wedding images will be a genuine, candid expression of who you are as a couple and the love between the two of you, with lots of scenic shots, magnificent sunsets, and nature surrounding you on your big day.
We will help you with the wedding planning for your dream wedding. From the bridal preparation to the timeline of your big day, everything will be taken care of during our consultation meeting. We will offer our professional advice every step of the way.
Fika Pictures Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
1300 590 837
Timeless, natural wedding photography across the Australia state of Victoria, Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula.
Check Pricing & Availability
Look through my wedding photos by watching my showreel or going straight to my wedding photography portfolio. For stories, check out my featured weddings & if you're interested in me capturing your wedding.
Carry Your Heart Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0413 573 784
THIS IS THE AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR
The beauty of wedding photography is the ability to capture a moment and hold it forever in time. On your wedding day, I want to capture your most cherished memories.
When you look at your wedding photographs, I want you to be able to relive that day over and over again. Anyone can take your wedding photos, but not everyone can give you something that makes you feel all over again.
Fotogenica Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0466 339 359
The Wedding Experience - The Heart of our Work
You are having trouble figuring out how to choose a wedding photographer? Their work should resonate with you, how you feel and how you want your memories of your wedding day to look.
If you want sleek pictures that make you look like models in Vogue- we're probably not the photographers for you.
If you're after warm, rich, organic images, enjoy some fun, aren't scared of a little PDA and want pictures of candid moments, even when the party gets a little messy- then you're in the right place!
We believe that wedding photos shouldn't be on-trend poses that you could see from anyone's wedding. We believe that the best part of your wedding day is the feelings that go with it- love, excitement, tears and the anticipation of a new life (and of course the epic partying!), and that is what we aim to capture in your wedding images.
Our job isn't just to take snaps of your day; anyone with a camera can do that. Our job is to capture the emotions you feel so that when you look at your photos, you don't just remember how the day looked, but how it felt to be there at that moment.
Love Is Sweet Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0408 920 791
Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
So you're getting hitched? Congratulations! And now you're looking for a wedding photographer. Your vision of a wedding is to spend as much time as possible with family and friends, to avoid having to sit for photos for hours on end, and to have one enormous party. All while wearing a huge broad smile on your face. Are we correct?
We understand that a wedding isn't a fashion shoot for a wedding magazine, so we don't approach it that way. We'll just take our time getting some amazing shots with your family, wedding party, and, of course, the two of you. But we assure it won't last for hours.
Who Are We?
The crew at Love is Sweet Weddings has years of experience and is completely consumed by weddings.
Our team of creative professionals don't do this as a hobby, and we do this for real. Many of our clients tell us how calm yet attentive we are, making a really big difference to their day.
When it comes to working with wonderful light, capturing your wedding for authenticity (i.e. no crazy stuff), and, of course, offering exceptional service, everyone at Love is Sweet has the same vision. So, no matter who is behind the lens, your experience will be unforgettable.
Matt Elliot Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0477 441 456
Matt Elliott - Australian Professional Wedding Photographer, based on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne
90% of the day is spent going on candid photos to capture the day's truly feel. Instead of using the dreaded 'posing' word, I call it 'creative direction', which is just getting you into a position that feels comfortable to look your best and feel confident having your wedding photos taken.
In the interest of honesty, I believe it is fair to allow you to view some full wedding galleries showing full days. Looking through a photographer's portfolio only reveals their favourites or the photos they've nailed.
I'm confident enough in my work to show you full wedding galleries and give you a taste of what to expect with your wedding. I plan to add more, but as you can imagine, these galleries have many photos, and once you add in the black and white copies, the size of the gallery gets quite big.
Fran Jorgensen Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0409 100 224
"The most important things in life are those that cannot be purchased." Time, memories, kindness, family and friends."
Welcome! We have crossed paths, and I am grateful for that. Although the process of organising a wedding might be intimidating, it is my job as your wedding photographer to support and advise you at every turn.
Engagement Session
This is an excellent opportunity to meet your photographer, and the session will be much more informal than your wedding day. If you feel that we are a suitable fit for your wedding day, the engagement shoot session price will be subtracted from your wedding package.
Wedding Photography
I am a professional wedding photographer, always looking for a different perspective to tell your story.
Family Photography
So you got married, we can still be friends after your big day and get to catch up through your family's changes. I love lifestyle family photography, and you can find more about my family photography work here.
It all leads to this moment when you feel that you are ready to take on this next big step and commit to your relationship. Are you ready to pop the question? Well, I can help you to plan the session and record this memorable moment.
Jiva Workshop Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
03 8682 8523
Mornington Peninsula Wedding Photographers & Films
We are a dynamic husband and wife team from the Mornington Peninsula that specialise in wedding photography and cinematography. With the help of our still and animated images, we hope to convey your story. We hope that this keepsake from your special day will be passed down for many years.
We view capturing a wedding as an honour. We care about what makes you special as a couple and what you want to be captured on the day.
We started off in film, television, and advertising. We are happy to have captured volcanoes erupting in Italy, stingrays in the Caymen Islands, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and working with brands and musicians such as U2.
Having captured weddings all around the world, including Machu Pichu, Dunns River in Jamaica, Cozumel Mexico, New Orleans, Miami, Grand Caymen and even weddings on board large cruise ships, we discovered that the most gratifying part of the work was the joy we created for a couple from our images and films. Not a lot beats the feeling of seeing your work pop up on social media year after year from a client.
Creative Wedding Film - Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0404 769 677
What We Offer
VIDEOGRAPHY - When filming our couples, we take a candid, fly on the wall approach. We primarily shoot in 4K, therefore the image quality is really great.
PHOTOGRAPHY - Depending on your needs, we use a combination of candid and staged photography. We offer numerous methods for grading your photographs - choose between lively with lots of colour, light and airy with a tiny fade, a deeper vibe, and black and white - or let us choose for you.
LIVE STREAMING SERVICES - since the arrival of the dreaded Covid pandemic (tired face!!), many of our couples have opted for smaller, more intimate weddings with limited guests. With international travel restrictions, many loved ones are not able to attend. This caused us to come up with a live streaming solution for our couples and introduce a heap of new equipment to allow those loved ones who cannot attend to participate online and stream via a private youtube link. This has been a proven success, and now we pride ourselves on offering live streaming as one of our core services.
AERIAL DRONE CINEMATOGRAPHY - we love to squeeze in some drone footage on your special day - location and weather permitting
GOOD SOUND QUALITY - we make sure that we capture the best possible sound on the day. We do this with a lapel mic we place on the groom, and recording devices run out of the celebrants mic. We also record direct from any venue's PA system, as well as the band or DJ system, to acquire the best audio possible, which we later sync with the editing footage.
MUSIC - we have access to various licensed music websites, which we get our couples to pick from before we start editing the footage
HANDCRAFTED USB GIFT BOX- Once we have completed editing and obtained your approval on our work, we transfer all of the files to a beautifully carved wooden USB and gift box, which we despatch to you.
Driftwood Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0438 969 480
Serious about photos, not so serious, guy.
I am privileged to be able to live a life dedicated to capturing moments and memories.
I strive to shoot my ocean work in such a way that you can hear the silence as a wave crests towards its inevitable finale, feel the blast of a barrel's spit stinging your cheeks and ears, and see the magic that can only come from the combination of light and water. As a surfer, seeing, hearing, and feeling these moments is what drew me to a profession as a photographer.
Little did I know that the photography of people would quickly rival my passion for ocean photography. Specifically, the union of two people. Being a part of one of the most private days of a couple's lives and being responsible for documenting that day in a way that genuinely represents them has fueled my enthusiasm for wedding photography.
As every couple is unique, I take a unique approach to capturing your special day; some people are comfortable in front of a camera, many are not (me included). The most memorable and natural moments, free of staged and starched moments, can only be captured with a laid-back, enjoyable, and unobtrusive technique that is fluid to the tides of the day. This approach will result in an album that truly captures you and your loved ones.
This all might sound a little serious, and whilst I take it seriously, the most important thing is to have fun with it!
Natalie Davies Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0400 635 588
Natalie Davies Photography
Hello! My name is Nat, and I'm a Mornington Peninsula-based wedding and portrait photographer. I've photographed nearly 500 weddings and guarantee not only great quality images but also all of my planning ideas and methods.
I can recommend beautiful settings and polished timelines based on my years of experience, giving you more time to appreciate all of the little things on your wedding day as newlyweds.
I have experience across many wineries and beachside venues on the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley, Melbourne CBD, The Dandenong Ranges and The Bellarine Peninsula. In addition, I've photographed weddings and events on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Airlie Beach, The Whitsundays, Sydney, and Perth.
Photographing newborns and families is as much a love of mine as photographing weddings. It is an honour to be your photographer on these special occasions. My role is to narrate this story and record moments that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Vanessa Norris Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0408 028 032
After photographing over 150 weddings, I have learned that the photographs my clients love most are the images that capture authentic moments: the real 'throw-your-head-back' laughs, the crazy dance-offs, the sincere smiles and heartfelt hugs.
Those photographs are so powerful; they transport you back to that moment. You feel those feels again.
PRICING
Wedding coverage begins at $2,800. All collections include your edited, high-resolution images on USB.
Love and Other Photography - Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0406 180 808
We are partners in love, life and business. Marc & Kyla are Melbourne based, originally from Adelaide, servicing Australia and the world.
We understand that your special day is all about you and the natural, candid moments that you will remember forever. Every couple needs are as unique as their wedding. We will work with you to make sure not a moment is missed.
We have a small team of highly experienced, incredible photographers and videographers that work with us. This enables our couples to book with confidence, knowing that their special day will be covered professionally, and not a moment will be missed.
Wedding Photo - Simple
All images are taken provided on USB + 200 edited images in both colour and black and white. Every image is supplied at its highest resolution, along with a copy resized for internet upload.
Wedding Photo - Classic
Not a moment will be missed, from the moment you get ready until late into the night. Capture all the magic of your special day. All images taken provided on USB, plus up to 500 edited images in both colour and black and white.
Every image is supplied at its highest resolution, along with a copy resized for internet upload.
Wedding Photo - Classic Plus
For couples who are after just a little bit more. Receive our popular 'Classic package' with two photographers covering your special day. All images taken provided on USB, plus up to 700 edited images in both colour and black and white.
Every image has a copy that has been reduced in size for internet upload and is provided at its highest resolution. In addition to your USB, the 'Classic Plus' also includes our gorgeous 14x10 Art Album. We've made 15 double-sided pages just for you to show off the gorgeous images from your wedding.
Journey By Light Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0401 673 119
Journey By Light Photography, established in 2013, has continued to refine what it is that makes them unique.Aside from the obvious romance with every ounce of this relatively new art form provides, it is most likely known that they have flown the virtual pigeonhole and offer not only a wedding photographer, but also a family and lifestyle photographer, a passionate landscape photographer, aerial, commercial, portrait, and so on.
Think eclectic collectors of inspiring moments, capturing your story and creating a little bit of magic to wonder over for years to come. We could say a lot, but we hope the passion, pride, and joy we have for our work translates through the images you find here. We appreciate your visit and hope to see you.
Journey By Sound
Now that you have your photography covered, why not stick around and see what we can offer you for your music and entertainment needs. We're very excited to announce that we have partnered with some of the regions well versed (pardon the pun!) musicians and bands to bring you incredible value for your wedding or event. Read on to find out how you could save hundreds by booking a photography/music combo!!
Selena Mclaren Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0407 297 368
Born and bred in Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs, I have been picture taking for as long as I can remember and working professionally for over 11 years.
I adore my work! A genuine privilege is getting to know new individuals and capturing their love and connection in a unique and enjoyable way. My approach is extremely open and honest; I believe that this keeps things informal and enjoyable and enables those unique moments to emerge naturally. These eventually turn out to be the best pictures.
To see my face in person, catch up for a beer/wine/other, get more info, check availability, or just say hello, please get in touch!
Investment
I offer a wide range of options to fit all styles - including wedding albums, fine art prints, engagement shoots and much more. Get in touch now for a full quote.
Michael Briggs Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0421 461 296
Thank you so much for visiting my website; I'm honoured to be considered a part of your day. Wedding photography has been my full-time job for nearly 5 years, and it still amazes me that I've been able to make a living doing something I truly like. I attend every wedding I photograph in order to immerse myself in the event and become a part of it.
Of course, you'll want some killer couple portraits in the mix as well. But I don't think we need to leave your party for hours to receive something beautiful and genuine like this. My top priority is that when you look at your wedding images, you remember precisely how you felt on the day.
And after the day is all done and dusted, it's always rad to have something that you can hang on your wall forever. Or print in a beautiful album. I do also take 'those' family photos. I know your mum is going to want them, even if you don't.
Free The Bird Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
For the most part, my upbringing entailed a nomadic existence with my family. This consisted of makeshift homes made from the back of cars, tents, buses and anything in between. Although this upbringing wasn't ideal in many ways, this non-material existence and tight perimeters with my family taught me what I consider to be most important in life. The love I share with my family, friends, and wife makes this life beautiful and is what I treasure most in the world.
This belief may be part of the reason I have such a passion for photographing weddings. This day is such an important part of peoples life. It is a rare opportunity to communally celebrate love, together with your partner and all the special people you have invited to be part of this day.
Free the Bird is a business purely driven by passion. Before starting to Free the Bird, I had a great paying job, a beautiful house and a nice car. It was all I could have dreamt of, but there was one thing missing, and that was passion. It's hard to live happily without this vital ingredient, so (with the push of my wife) I put everything on the line, and I started following my dreams. This was the beginning of Free the Bird.
Three years later, I am still here, as passionate about photography as the day I started. I still get nervous with excitement before every wedding day, and I still excitedly show Leelou all my favourite photos the next day. This is how I know I am still on the right path in life. The day the excitement goes away, and I stop pushing my photos to be better then the last, it is the day I put down my camera. Every couple deserves to have a photographer at their wedding that strives to do their very best every time they pick up their camera.
Free the Bird's core values are simple. We create an experience to feel comfortable, safe, and well looked after from day one. We understand that a wedding day can be a big venture for most people, eliminating any stress and keeping everything we do very transparently. Our clients' commitment is to deliver work at the highest quality that will last to be enjoyed by future generations.
Glass Slipper Wedding Photographer Mornington Peninsula
glassslipperphotography.com.au
0410 253 033
We enjoy weddings.
That's right. That also means we sincerely love what we do. We get the opportunity to see both bride and groom (bride and bride, or groom and groom) transform from an everyday couple into angelic/handsome/really-really-good-looking super beings in the span of one morning. Witness an often teary declaration of love and hang out with some pretty loved-up babes (refer to the previous sentence) in the afternoon. And spend the evening in celebration dancing the night away.
Depending on where you are getting married, we will generally start a week early. One of our favourite parts of a wedding is the location shoot. So we visit the ceremony and reception areas in advance to source out the best backdrops, light and creative influence we can find for your location shoot.
Your Wedding Day
We begin our day taking preparation photos of both bride and groom (both Steve + Keshia will be there – no, your eyes are not playing black magic trickery on you, you get TWO photographers for the ENTIRE day). We will flit between the two locations of preparation, getting all the photos possible. Our last visit is generally to the bride before we boot-leg it to the ceremony area.
SMC Studio - Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0403 275 414
If you're looking for a fully inclusive package that includes style, creativity, flair, and, most importantly, a reasonable price, you've come to the perfect place! View our vast photo and video galleries to get a sense of our style and quality.
Our packages' features will surprise you. We have a team of talented local photographers and videographers ready to capture your big day in your area!
Our mission is to bring our valued clients a level of service & quality of the product that is unparalleled in the industry.
Our packages' features will surprise you. We have a team of talented local photographers and videographers ready to capture your big day in your area! Our brand's buying power means that at the end of the day, the client wins – because we can bring you a quality, finish and long list of inclusions that are not available elsewhere.
Simon James Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0417 000 456
Simon James has been a professional photographer for approximately 26 years. clients with international experience and clients. People seek him out because he is an expert storyteller and photographer. Everybody has a distinctive story, and Simon is adept at recording them.
Simon is also a perfectionist who holds himself and everyone with whom he works to the highest of standards. Simon's work does not cease when he puts down the camera. Whether he is editing photographs, designing wedding books, investing in cutting-edge technology, or supervising the final printing of photographs, he takes a personal interest in ensuring that everything is 'just right' because he believes that everyone deserves greatness.
Above all, Simon James is a man who enjoys taking amazing images of regular life and people. While he is quite competent, it is the genuine satisfaction that both he and his clients experience from working together that distinguishes him from other photographers.
You can see it in his photographs. Simon takes the time to establish a relationship with you and put you at ease while taking your pictures. You won't find stiff, uncomfortable-looking photos in Simon's galleries because Simon is so good at helping people to relax and have fun!
You can also see it in the ongoing relationship Simon has with many of his clients.
Some people who originally came to Simon for wedding photographs have also had him take pregnancy photos, baby photos and family portraits and intend to come back for more in the future. They saw Simon as a collaborator in helping to capture their most important moments and priceless memories rather than just "someone to take pictures at the wedding."
Rachael Wilson Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
rachaelwilsonphotography.com.au
0431999133
Welcome to a realm filled with colour and sweetness! I am a professional portrait photographer based in Maudsland, Gold Coast, Queensland. You can trust me to capture your most critical moments because I have over ten years of expertise securely handling lovely newborns and making kids laugh.
Prices can be found under each category you are interested in, and Gift vouchers are available. Look through my galleries to get inspired for your session! More regular photo sharing happens over on Facebook and Instagram. I love the colour (hehe); however, if you prefer a more neutral, simple session, I can accommodate that too. Contact us to book a session today!
Roam and Wander Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
roamandwanderphotography@gmail.com
WEDDINGS
Roam & Wander photography loves to tell a story and is all about capturing your wedding day as it happens, particularly those precious, intimate moments! Romina will capture the laughs, smiles, tears and joy so that you can relive the day through photographs for years to come.
Roam & Wander photography is fresh, creative and candid in its photographic style while unobtrusive and discrete in its approach. Romina wants her loved-up couples to feel comfortable in her hands. Therefore, getting to know each other over many cups of coffee or tea is an essential part of the journey when choosing Roam & Wander Photography.
Lion Heart Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
hello@lionheart.com.au
Heart-warming wedding photographs
As opposed to that tacky traditional photographer you saw at your friend's wedding, we like to think of ourselves as the complete opposite. the long list of uncomfortable stances, the forced smiles, and the "staged" moments. Ughh!
We photograph people rather than poses. We immerse ourselves into your wedding, mingling with your guests, capturing the real atmosphere and emotion felt on the day.
The laughter, the belly laughs, the connection between two distinct beings, your father's pride, the unexpected blunders, the sensations of overwhelming joy, grandma's sweet reaction, and all the happy tears. From tying up your dress with your sister to slamming shots with your university mates and tearing up the d-floor at night. We're eager to hear your tale.
Icon Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
0424 858 244
Icon Photography & Videography
Our wedding photographers and videographers at Icon Photography are dedicated to creating memorable, gorgeous images that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Our team will always go above and beyond to ensure your day is relaxed, enjoyable and fun. We aim to create photos that will make your friends envious and your family proud. Most of our packages include a full days coverage and no limit on the number of photos we take.
We want all of your memories from your special day to last forever.
Recently voted in the top 10 Melbourne Wedding photography studios by Easy weddings and in the Top 13 in Melbourne by Wedded Wonderland. We've also been mentioned by Vogue Ballroom & Vine of the Yarra Valley as one of Melbourne's best Wedding Photographers.
Dansk Wedding Photography Mornington Peninsula
03 9505 6564
Wedding Photography
You want to be able to look back in years to come and be proud of what you've captured so you may recall and share your recollections. Dansk Photography, award-winning for their pictures and service, captures the emotion, enthusiasm, happiness, and pride that each bridal party, family, and friends exude.
We capture everything about your special day discreetly and unobtrusively. We will record for you the atmosphere, the fun, tears of happiness, and laughter. We photograph you being 'you' and make you look the best you've ever looked. There's nothing quite like being able to share this exhilarating, magical and happy day with you, knowing we have caught all the special moments with our photography for you. Forever.
We are one of Melbourne's top ten wedding photographers, offering fantastic service, great images, and no stress.
Your wedding is a special day that can only be captured once, so don't let just anyone capture it for you. Dansk Photography discreetly captures everything about your day. We know your day is a special one that should have an atmosphere of fun and celebration.
How to Avoid Disaster When Hiring a Wedding Photographer
Contracts and Contingency
If the photographer doesn't have a contract, walk away immediately. No wedding photographer worth their salt would not have a contract for you to sign when you want to book them. It's also worth asking about contingency plans if the worst were to happen. Most of this should be in the contract, but if, for example, they have a photographer who acts as a backup if they're indisposed on the day, it's good to know. Reliability is everything with wedding photographers, and anyone who seems flighty or disorganised ought to be avoided.
Testimonials
Testimonials are so easily faked that they border on pointless. I would almost always disregard them unless they tick several boxes. You want to make sure it's attached to a real wedding (and ideally see the images from that wedding). You want to check if they're a family member or friend of the photographer. You want to check the volume of testimonials; if there are many reviews on their Facebook page or Google, that's often a reasonably good sign. Generally, however, don't be drawn in by a few flattering sentences here and there.
Misleading Portfolios
Portfolios are a complicated area. Everyone has an opinion on how they should look and function and what ought to be displayed. However, the information contained in a portfolio is often far more than just words and pictures. When you look at a photographer's website to book them for your wedding, you're primarily trying to gauge if you like their work and if their style suits your aspirations for your big day's images. But that alone is not enough in avoiding a lousy photographer. The scale of deception ranges from honestly misleading through to outright fraud. Be aware, and both can result in far from ideal photographs. The former might be a few cherry-picked "good" images that are extremely rare for the photographer. The latter might be stolen ideas from another photographer.
So what should you do? Firstly, you want to see full wedding albums they have already completed. A portfolio is a selection of their best shots, but you need to see the complete range. You need to see their average standard of image and whether you'd be happy with it and judge them based on that. This also should bypass any chance of stolen work. I would request to see more than one and make sure they're reasonably recent.
Social Media
I'm not a social media lover these days, and I can fully understand people who avoid it, but it can be a useful litmus test for photographers. Check to see if they have a Facebook page, Instagram, Flickr, and so on and if they tend to it regularly. The follower count isn't really relevant; it's more verification of who they are, what they do, and that what they say they have done in the past is correct. Most full-time wedding photographers post sneak previews to the elation of wedding guests, so you get both evidence for their standard of work and some proof that they are serving real clients.
Recommendations
If someone you know had beautiful wedding images taken, ask them for the photographer's details and whether they would recommend them. Being able to talk to a past client of a photographer, you're looking to hire powerful and give you insight into how they are on the day; if that past client is someone you know and trust, all the better. If this is possible, it still shouldn't be in lieu of the other checks but rather a more important starting point.
Price
I hesitate to say, "you get what you pay for", as it's not a universal truth, but it's not far off. Time and time again, you see social media outrage from brides who "paid $600" for a photographer who turned out to be unreliable or of little talent. Well, yes, that's predictable. You might get lucky with a photographer just starting who doesn't know what to charge but is otherwise very good at what they do, but that's highly unlikely. The average price is around $2,000, so if you're quoted far south (or far north) of that, consider it a red flag.