A method of perforating a wellbore by forming a perforation that is aligned with a reservoir characteristic, such as direction of maximum stress, lines of constant formation properties, and the formation dip. The wellbore can be perforated using a perforating system employing a shaped charge, a mechanical device, or a high pressure fluid. The perforating system can be aligned by asymmetric weights, a motor, or manipulation from the wellbore surface.