Choosing the right wedding photographer is an important decision and so is when to book them. I look at when to book a wedding photographer to ensure you are not disappointed.
There is no set timeline
There is no exact timeline for booking your photographer but it is best to do so in advance. If you leave it too late, you may find your chosen photographer does not have availability and your options may be limited. If you are a bit more organised and want to get your vendors sorted as soon as possible, then you may choose to book your photographer as soon as you have your wedding date.
Try to book between 6 and 12 months in advance
While there is no set timeline for photographer availability, a good general rule is to try and book between 6 months and a year in advance of your wedding date. This should give you enough time to find a wedding photographer you like and book them while their schedule is still free.
If you are organised, you can book up to 2 years in advance
If you are planning to have a longer engagement to ensure you can have the day exactly the way you want it, then you may want to book as soon as possible. Some people like to have peace of mind that everything is locked in, so may book a photographer 18 months to 2 years in advance. Some in-demand photographers may even have waiting lists this long!
Seasonality may affect a photographer’s availability
If you are having your wedding at a peak time, such as summer, you will probably want to look further in advance for your wedding photographer as they get booked up quickly at this time of year!
This also means you should not hesitate and book your chosen photographer as soon as you have decided if you are having a wedding during an in-demand time. The last thing you want to do is spend a long time choosing the right photographer, only to find they are not available on your date.
Bank holidays are also high-demand times
Bank holiday weekends are also popular, so keep this in mind when looking for a wedding photographer. Bank holidays are often chosen for weddings because it gives a longer weekend for festivities that guests do not have to book time off work for, meaning more people are likely to be able to attend.
Even if your wedding is short notice, you should still be able to find a photographer
In some cases, you might not have the luxury of booking a wedding photographer at least 6 months in advance. Even if you are planning to have the wedding shortly after you get engaged, don’t panic; many photographers will likely still have availability and you will be able to find someone to capture your special day.
Photographers also will often have a huge list of talented friends and fellow photographers that they can reach out to at short notice. Referrals are a great way to find someone else in the event your chosen photographer isn’t available – plus you know they come recommended by someone you trust!
While there are no set rules for when you should book a wedding photographer, we advise that you start looking early so that you have plenty of time to find the right photographer for you without worrying about their availability.
If you are looking for a natural wedding photographer, you are welcome to browse my portfolio.
