Engaged? Planning your wedding? You want to make sure that if you are planning on having specific vendors at your wedding that you start your search as soon as possible. This includes your wedding photographer, I will go over some booking tips and when you should book your wedding photographer.
As someone who has been a bride myself, I can definitely relate; from the excitement of engagement and wedding planning to little stresses along the way! I really hope these tips on booking your wedding photographer do help and make searching for a photographer easy!
- Before searching for a wedding photographer it is recommended that you secure your date and wedding venue. It's hard for a photographer to provide an accurate quote or availability while you are still searching for your venue and booking your date.
- Your budget, there are some areas where you want to splurge on vs save on. Before inquiring you should know a budget of what you would like to spend on wedding photography. Knowing your what your budget is, especially breaking down your budget will be important. Setting aside funds for how much you will spend on vendors such as: your venue, photographer and florist will set you up for success.
- Typically I recommend booking your wedding photographer 9-18 months before your wedding date. This gives you plenty of time to search for a photographer that will be a right fit for you.
Where you may consider wanting to book your photographer ASAP if:
- You want a wedding during peak months, this is May - October; these months will get booked out first. If you are looking to get married during peak season, make sure you book sooner rather than later. With that being said there are also dates within those busy months that are popular. Most wedding photographers operate in a first come first serve basis. Who ever sends in their retainer and signs their contract first, secures that date. If you've been wanting to work with a photographer for a while and don't want to miss out. Reach out to them sooner than later, but of course after you secured your venue and date.
- Looking to do a destination wedding. Destination weddings come with a lot of planning and logistics. Most wedding photographers will need to block off a few days in their calendar to account for travel accommodations. If you are planning on a destination wedding, book your wedding photographer well in advance.
- Want to use your engagement session for save the dates. I always recommend having an engagement session with your future wedding photographer, this helps you to get in front of the camera and get to know your wedding photographer. Some couples will just book their engagement session to see if they vibe with a potential wedding photographer.
- You are having a short engagement.
If you fall into any of these categories, you are ready to start searching for your wedding photographer. If you would like to know if I am available for your wedding date click/tap here to reach out and I typically respond within 24-48 hours. I hope these tips help answer your question on when you should book your wedding photographer.