When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?

Booking your wedding photographer is a BIG deal! But when SHOULD you book your wedding photographer?

Booking Your Wedding Photographer

The simple answer is as soon as possible! The photography aspect of your wedding will be such a big part of your wedding day and for most couples they have a preferred photographer in mind. However the longer you wait to book your wedding photographer the less likely they will have your wedding date open.

The ideal timeline would be 12-18 months before your wedding

Why Book My Wedding Photographer So Soon?

There's a lot of pre-wedding planning that goes in to the photography part of your wedding. So we have to sit down and discus what it is you are needing captured both before and on your wedding day.

Do you need engagement photo done? What about bridals? Are you wanting large printed canvas's to display at your wedding? What about your save the dates? When it comes down to it, if you are having a wedding during peek months like May and October or shoot your engagement session during those times you will want to have your wedding photographer booked well in advance.

Wedding photographers cost on average 10%-15% of your overall budget. For some couples they spend closer to 30% or $2000-$5000 for full day wedding coverage. Booking your wedding photographer 12-18 months out will give you a more time to breakup the fee in to more manageable payments rather then trying to make a $5000 payment in unless then 6 months.

What If I am Having A Small Wedding?

You still want to book your wedding photographer as soon as possible. Wedding photographers won't just block out a few hours for your wedding then shoot another wedding later in the afternoon. We block out the whole day for you and your wedding even if it's just an hour or two. One of the reasons wedding photographers do this is because as we get closer to your big day you might decide that you want to add another hour. I have had a few temple weddings where my couples decide they want me to shoot their wedding reception afterwards or maybe the wedding ceremony takes longer then expected. One of the best things I was told on my wedding day is that almost always the wedding at some point goes off track from the timeline. (This is why you allow for a little bit of wiggle room on your wedding day schedule)

I hope this article was helpful in answering your questions regarding when you should be your wedding photographer!