You probably have a rough idea of what you want to see in your photo album - if you don't then its a good idea to look through some wedding magazines and clip out those photographs that appeal to you.  You could also visit one of the image libraries online and do a search for "weddings" which will bring up hundreds of professional wedding photographs. Once you have an idea of what you want, ask to see the photographer's portfolio, a whole wedding, not just his best work.  From that you can judge what sort of mix there is and whether or not it's what you're looking for.

There are basically two styles of wedding photography - reportage, which is more candid than formal... and traditional, which is more formal than candid - so its worth knowing what both of them mean before discussing with your photographer...

There's a fine line to be drawn between reportage photography and what can only be regarded as snapshots on par with 'Uncle Fred's' pics taken with his '6 million megapixel instamatic' digital camera.  The ever increasingly popular reportage style is supposed to record the day in a manner that's non-intrusive - the photographer literally taking pictures as things happen with no posing and no staging.  It sounds good but it's not gonna work unless you plan it properly and hire a photographer who knows what he's doing. 

Think long and hard about whether you are prepared to forsake traditional group shots, especially when there's lots of family involved.  You have to ask yourself whether grand-parent and parents would like to see themselves photographed with the bride and groom or would they be very disappointed if there were no traditional photos in the mix.  So its essential that you give your photographer a list of the must-haves even if it detracts from his style slightly.

Done imaginatively and with an element of planning, reportage can produce some wonderful photographic images, rarely achieved by a traditional photographer trying to take candid shots.  However before deciding on this style of photography ask your photographer to see his portfolio (a full wedding from beginning to end - not just his best photographs taken from multiple weddings) and make a mental note of how many  images capture the important family members as you would want to see them captured in your photographs.

Bride and groom, bride and groom and bridesmaids, groom and best man, Mum, Dad, bride and groom, bridesmaids - say cheese!   Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've seen and heard it all before.  The, as you say, old-fashioned, traditional wedding photographer armed with his film camera, tripod and box of tricks isn't that inspiring - a good reason to want to go for something completely different. 

But traditional doesn't necessarily mean 'boring' so long as you choose a photographer who is willing to sit down and listen to exactly what you want.  Don't leave it to chance, make a list of all of the photos you want to see in your album, all the group shots, formal photographs, kiddies pics and things like your bouquet, wedding cake, shoe etc. and discuss it with him - if you don't tell him what you want, how will he know? 

And try to remember that although your photographer is a professional its nice to have a little help. Nominate an usher to help him organise the group shots - the photographer won't know a soul, an usher will more than likely know everyone.  One of the most difficult shots at a wedding is the one of everyone, usually taken from an elevated position - ever tried placing and spacing 150 people to get them all in the frame at once?

And finally although your photographer is there to do a job, by giving him plenty of scope and a variety of shots he/she will not only enjoy the event but will take great pleasure in putting together a portfolio of your day.