When to Book Your Wedding Photographer
There are a lot of vendors you will hire for your wedding. But when it comes to booking your wedding photographer, you don’t want to wait until the last minute, especially if you’re getting married during peak wedding season.
The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the right photographer for you in your area.
Below, let’s dive into when to book your wedding photographer.
Standard Wedding Planning
Traditionally speaking, 12 months is what it normally should take you to plan your wedding. After you pick your venue, you should be looking for your wedding photographer.
Many wedding photographers book popular wedding dates anywhere from 9 to 18 months in advance.
Once your venue and date are locked in, photography should be one of the next major things you book.
This Isn’t About “Having a Wedding”
It’s about living the hell out of it.
You’re not getting married to check a box. It’s a day full of meaning, chaos, and connection that deserves to be experienced.
It is also important to allow enough time to meet with potential wedding photographers so you can find the right one for you.
You want to be able to have a connection with them and build trust. They are going to be with you all day in both your most tender moments and when your humanity is at its truest.
Short Wedding Planning
If you just got engaged and need to plan your wedding in 6 months or less, you should start looking at photographers ASAP.
But fear not, as photographers may still have dates open in their wedding season for you.
Don’t be discouraged if you receive responses from multiple wedding photographers saying they are booked on your wedding date. You will just have to do some extra researching.
If your timeline is short, speed matters more than perfection. Reach out early and reach out to more than one person.
Elopements & Off-Season Weddings
These weddings are in their own little world when it comes to booking a wedding photographer.
For off-season weddings and local elopements, you can usually book your wedding photographer closer to the wedding date.
If you are having an adventure or destination elopement, I wouldn’t wait too long, since planning and travel arrangements do come into play.
Elopements
Many photographers have a rule on the earliest you can book with them that will still allow them to deliver the quality of service they stand for. This is more common during the busy season.
Some photographers may only book elopements 2 to 3 months before your wedding day.
Weekday Weddings
Fridays are still a popular day to have a wedding, while Mondays through Thursdays can book up just as quickly as some weekends, especially for those randomly popular weekends every season.
I would still suggest booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance, because weekdays are when photographers typically might do engagements and proposals that were included with your wedding packages.
Off-Season Weddings
If you are getting married during the off-season, you can usually book your wedding photographer closer to your wedding date, since chances are there are very few couples booking for those days.
I would still suggest booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance, because the off-season is a popular vacation time for wedding photographers.
Date & Season Popularity
Very Popular Dates
There are always going to be a few weekends in each wedding season that are absolutely flying off the shelves.
Think 11/11, 5/4 for you Star Wars fans, and if you love the fall, all Saturdays in October.
These dates will start to be booked closer to 18 months in advance.
Popular Seasons
If you are having a wedding during the busy season in your state, 12 months in advance is when you should book your wedding photographer.
For the Connecticut area, this is typically May, June, September, and October.
Less Popular Dates
Fridays and Sundays are still great days to have your wedding, and some venues and vendors may even be cheaper for those days because they are less sought after.
It is fine to wait 9 months before the wedding to book your photographer. However, if your Friday or Sunday date is during the busy season for your area, I wouldn’t wait longer than 9 months.
What Are the Most Popular Wedding Dates?
The most popular wedding dates tend to be weekends in the spring and fall, with Saturdays being the most sought-after day for weddings.
Saturdays are typically the busiest day for weddings, with many couples choosing to have their ceremonies and receptions on this day due to convenience and vendor availability.
Some of the most popular wedding dates include:
- Saturdays in the summer months: June, July, and August.
- Saturdays in the fall months: September, October, and November.
- Saturdays around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
- Saturdays tied to important anniversaries, like when you started dating or got engaged.
What Are the Most Popular Geeky Wedding Dates?
There are several popular geeky wedding dates that couples may choose to celebrate their love.
Some examples include:
- March 14th — Pi Day.
- May 4th — May the Fourth Be With You.
- June 3rd — World Dinosaur Day.
- June 23rd — Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s birthday.
- August 8th — International Cat Day.
- September 9th — Fandom Wedding Day.
- October 21st — Back to the Future Day.
- November 11th — Doctor Who Day.
- December 17th — Harry Potter Day.
About Ladman Studios
Now that you have learned all about when to book your wedding photographer, hi, I’m T.J.
I’d love to have a chat and learn all about what you are cooking up for your wedding.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who truly cares about your unique story and will work with you to create a customized experience, reach out for a quick chat to see if I am the right photographer for you.
Let’s create a wedding album filled with beautiful, meaningful, and memorable moments that you’ll treasure forever.
