I just attended a wedding where the couple hired the "top" wedding photographer in Toronto. He is listed on all the best of the best web sites, and is a huge name in Toronto. I will admit I even considered going with that company at one point, because their pictures are stunning. They also had a top videographer.
As a guest, I really wished they had gone with someone else. They ruined the entire wedding for me. During the ceremony, the photographer was constantly going up and down the aisle, taking pictures using a one-legged tripod. The photographer and his assistants were all over the place, and distracting. But the worst part is that they blocked my view. I missed the vows completely, barely saw her come down the aisle, and saw their first kiss through the screen of the camera. I was very close to the front of the church, so I feel worse for the people at the back of the church.
During the reception, I once again missed everything, and I was in the first row of tables! It was frustrating, and if it had been polite, I would have left my seat so I could see their first dance.
Yes, they got amazing pictures, and a lot of them, but they sacrificed the experience for the guests by doing that. At my wedding, the photographers were ninjas, and left us wondering how they even took some shots! My guests even commented on how unobstructive my photographers were.
If you are flipping through a photographer's work, think about where the photographer was standing to take that picture. Ask how they work in the church, and their ninja skills!