Capture Your Love Story: When To Book Your Wedding Photographer

Hiring a wedding photographer is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is recommended to start reaching out to potential photographers before you have solidified your venue to get their availability for the months or year when you hope to get married. However, it is best to resist officially booking them until you've found a venue that aligns with their availability. This way, you can ensure that your dream photographer is available on your wedding day.

Book early to secure your dream photographer

The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because your Getting Ready, Details (florals, dresses, venue, rings, trinkets, shoes, memoirs, etc.), Formal Bridal, Formal Groom, Wedding Parties, and First Look (optional) photos are all taken before the ceremony start time.

Every wedding day is totally different, however, most couples need between 8 – 10 hours of photography coverage to make sure the getting ready portion of the day through the dance floor opening are photographed. Every Wedding Photographer is different on the way they price, offer packages, and what they consider “all day wedding photography”. Some photographers won’t set foot on your wedding without a minimum of 8 hours. This is for many reasons, but most importantly: being able to tell your story, capture all the moments, have time to be creative, cover the main parts of the reception, and allow for cushion time in case something goes wrong and backs up the timeline.

Of course, you can start reaching out to potential photographers before solidifying your venue to get their availability for the months or year when you hope to get married. But resist officially booking them until you’ve found a venue that aligns with their availability. 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.

Find a venue that aligns with their availability

Start reaching out to potential photographers before you've found a venue to get their availability for the months or year when you hope to get married. However, resist officially booking them until you’ve found a venue that aligns with their availability.

Every wedding day is different, however, most couples need between 8 – 10 hours of photography coverage to make sure the getting ready portion of the day through the dance floor opening are photographed. The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because your Getting Ready, Details (florals, dresses, venue, rings, trinkets, shoes, memoirs, etc.), Formal Bridal, Formal Groom, Wedding Parties, and First Look (optional) photos are all taken before the ceremony start time.

Every Wedding Photographer is different on the way they price, offer packages, and what they consider “all day wedding photography.” Some photographers won’t set foot on your wedding without a minimum of 8 hours. This is for many reasons, but most importantly: being able to tell your story, capture all the moments, have time to be creative, cover the main parts of the reception, and allow for cushion time in case something goes wrong and backs up the timeline.

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.

Consider the photographer's timeline and storytelling

When hiring a photographer for your wedding, it's important to consider their timeline and storytelling approach. This is because the amount of photography coverage you need for your wedding affects your total photography budget and the photographer's availability.

Every wedding day is different, but most couples need between 8-10 hours of photography coverage to capture the getting ready portion of the day through the dance floor opening. This coverage typically spans around 8 hours, which suits most weddings and is the most popular choice for capturing the entire day.

The majority of your photos that you will print, put on canvas, and select to be in your heirloom album are typically the ones from the first 4-5 hours of the day. This is because all these images are also typically finished 30-45 minutes before the ceremony so that the Bride can hide from guests arriving, touch up on her make-up, and hang out with her girls.

Every wedding photographer is different on the way they price, offer packages, and what they consider “all day wedding photography”. Some photographers won't set foot on your wedding without a minimum of 8 hours. This is for many reasons, but most importantly: being able to tell your story, capture all the moments, have time to be creative, cover the main parts of the reception, and allow for cushion time in case something goes wrong and backs up the timeline.

Therefore, it's important to start reaching out to potential photographers before solidifying your venue to get their availability for the months or year when you hope to get married. But resist officially booking them until you’ve found a venue that aligns with their availability.

Hire a wedding planner to suggest suitable photographers

If you hire a full-service wedding planner, they can help you narrow down your search by suggesting photographers that suit your personal style and budget. They may even be able to secure a discounted rate or special services if they have worked together before.

A wedding planner is an expert in the industry and can help you figure out how many hours of photography coverage you need for your wedding. Most couples need between 8 – 10 hours of photography coverage to make sure the getting ready portion of the day through the dance floor opening are photographed. Every wedding day is different, however, so it's important to figure out what's important to you.

Every wedding photographer is different on the way they price, offer packages, and what they consider “all day wedding photography”. Some photographers won’t set foot on your wedding without a minimum of 8 hours. This is for many reasons, but most importantly: being able to tell your story, capture all the moments, have time to be creative, cover the main parts of the reception, and allow for cushion time in case something goes wrong and backs up the timeline.

You can start reaching out to potential photographers before solidifying your venue to get their availability for the months or year when you hope to get married. But resist officially booking them until you’ve found a venue that aligns with their availability.

Start reaching out to potential photographers

Resist officially booking them until you’ve found a venue that aligns with their availability. 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.

Vendors like wedding planners, ceremony locations, and photographers are typically only able to take one wedding per day–and sometimes per weekend! By booking those guys early, you can be sure you are on their list before anyone else.

If there is somebody you are dreaming about working with, don’t be afraid to contact them now, regardless of what they do. The vendor will be super flattered, and you’ll get your dream day.

Every Wedding Photographer is different on the way they price, offer packages, and what they consider “all day wedding photography”. Some photographers won’t set foot on your wedding without a minimum of 8 hours. This is for many reasons, but most importantly: being able to tell your story, capture all the moments, have time to be creative, cover the main parts of the reception, and allow for cushion time in case something goes wrong and backs up the timeline.

Frequently asked questions