Joe, I cant stress this enough. MAKE SURE YOU OWN YOUR PICTURES, when all is said and done. You may have a slight charge for it, but make sure they are yours. I realize the "artist" wants to own his work, but its ridiculous to let someone own your wedding pictures.
That being said, with photographers you will get what you pay for. Ours cost 1500 for a sunday, and we had beautiful pictures, a talented photographer, and got 2 parent albums and full album for us. You need to knwo what types of photography you want to help make these decisions.
There is the Traditional one, where Everything is posed, potrait like
http://www.laphotopro.com/images-index/fashion-wedding-traditional-hollywood.jpg
or Photojournalist style (my preference)where its more natural, emotional pictures
http://bp.unix-fu.org/media/12-14-07/nicole_caldwell_photography_wedding_surf_and_sand_resort_molly_134.jpg
There will be price differences between the styles, due to it usually being different photographers.
For me the photography was the most important part of the wedding aside fromt eh actual wedding so i was willing to splurge on it. Decide on a budget first, THEN find the photographer.