While most couples might only think of hiring a photographer for their wedding day, there are actually plenty of opportunities to document your engagement and wedding from day one all the way until after you’ve walked down the aisle.

From engagement photos all the way to trash-the-dress pictures, take advantage of all sessions your photographer has to offer. When you’re sharing your wedding photos with your kids in future years, you’ll be happy you did.

So what do photographers typically offer? Engagement photography is already pretty common, but more and more brides are opting for alternate pre-wedding sessions like boudoir photography or post-wedding shoots like trash-the-dress (the newest trend in wedding photography). Additionally, couples are adding on hours for the photographer by shooting official wedding events such as the rehearsal dinner or even the engagement party.

Of course, you’ll have to check with your photographer to make sure he offers each type of photography you’re interested in and they are available on the dates you need it.

But let’s assume for a moment that they do all types of photography and they’re always available. What type of photography are you going to want?

Engagement photography is a great options because it not only captures the glow and excitement of the newly engaged couple – as does booking a photographer for your engagement party – but it’s also rather useful. If done early in the engagement, the photos can be used on save-the-dates, invitations and reception décor. If you don’t get around to taking engagement photos right away, don’t fret – they can be done at any point during the length of your engagement.

The next option for brides is a little bit risqué: Boudoir photography (and despite what was said before – you probably won’t want to share these photos with your kids). Boudoir photography is a sexy, pin-up-esque photo session meant to create a special gift for the groom. Gals don their future hubby’s favorite outfit – anything from a baseball jersey to lingerie – and get gorgeous pics taken. Often the finished album is presented to the groom the night before the wedding or minutes before he watches his fiancée walk down the aisle. Let’s just say, it will get his mind racing for the honeymoon. Don’t worry, the photos don’t have to be X-rated. They just show enough to make the new bride look sensual, sexy and beautiful.

But enough about the bride – the groom should be included a bit, too, right? That’s one reason why couples are opting to include a photographer at wedding events other than the actual nuptials. If you think about it, a lot of really heartfelt and meaning moments happen at events such as the rehearsal dinner, so why shouldn’t it be documented as well? Photographers have come to notice that many couples feel this way, so often extra hours of coverage during the rehearsal dinner is available for an extra fee.

But back to the bride. After the wedding, what is she going to do with that gorgeous dress she only wore for one day? Many women are opting to partake in a “trash-the-dress” photo session. During a TTD session, as it’s commonly referred to, the new wife dons her wedding dress one more time for the sole purpose of destroying it (or at least getting it a little dirty). Trash-the-dress sessions make for glamorous, gorgeous photos (and the bride gets a little bit more wear out of that expensive dress).