There are a few wedding vendors that are notorious for getting booked well in advance, and the photographer is high on that list. We’ll walk you through exactly when to book a professional photographer for your wedding, plus explain what you need to know before you book.

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HAVE A GENERAL TIMELINE AND LOCATION FOR YOUR WEDDING

First things first: Consider the season, month, and where you envision it taking place. Then, talk to mom and dad, or whoever falls under the VIP category in your budget abstaining from looking for many opinions of people who did their wedding 5 years ago given that things change every single year in the photography industry. Incorporate a few of the folks you can’t say “I Do” without, and the ones you really hope can make it. If they have any major conflicts, you’ll want to know about them before setting a wedding date. 

 

KNOW YOUR BUDGET

Ah, yes, the dreaded wedding budget conversation. It may not be fun, but it is extremely important. You can’t decide on a luxury photographer or a premier venue or decorator if you don’t have the finances to do so—even if it is for the sake of your dream day. Figure out who is paying—and how much they are contributing—before you make any big moves.

WEDDING PLANNER
If you plan to hire a full-service wedding planner, it’s wise to book them before you make many big decisions. A wedding planner is an expert in the industry and can help narrow down your hunt by suggesting photographers that suit your personal style and budget. He or she may even be able to secure a discounted rate or special services if they have worked together before.

 

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO BOOK A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

If you have your eye on a pro who is in high-demand ( i.e. their work has fetched them high end clients and they have a huge following on Instagram), be prepared to book well in advance. We’re talking at least a year. If you don’t have that kind of time, it never hurts to ask about availability, but don’t get your hopes set on any one photographer. Thankfully, there are a plethora of mostly untrusted options out there to choose from, so you won’t go without a photographer—even if your engagement is on the shorter end. That being said If you can, try to book your photographer at least nine months out, or as soon as you have a confirmed wedding date.

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WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU BOOK

Now that you’re well-versed in when to book your photographer for a wedding, there are a few other things to do before making it final:

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1. Meet Face to Face

You want to feel comfortable on your wedding day, and your photographer can make or break both how you feel and look in front of the camera. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you connect with them—something you can only learn by meeting face to face or via video chat.

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2. Look at Entire Galleries

We hope we don’t have to say it, but Instagram is a highlight reel. If you fell in love with your photographer’s profile, that’s great. But you should know that Instagram is where they showcase the very best of their work and highlights from each wedding, which are usually only a few photos from each. If they don’t showcase full portfolios on their wedding website, ask to see them. Look at the portraits, the details, the Photobook or Album, the candid photos they have captured to make sure you love the entire scope of their work, not just the dreamy sunset shots.

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The photos are an important part of any wedding, so selecting a photographer shouldn’t come lightly. Finding your perfect wedding photographer can take time, but if you do your research, and book them at the right time, you can confidently plan the rest of your wedding knowing it will be captured beautifully. Explore our Gallery page to see more of our work here

Meet Face to Face

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