When to book your Wedding Photographer

Hanna van Aswegen
Aug 29
2 min read

The best time to book your wedding photographer is typically 6 to 12 months before your big day, especially if you’re eyeing a popular date or a highly sought-after photographer. Booking early guarantees peace of mind, the widest choice of photographers, and ensures you won’t miss out on capturing those epic moments with your dream team.

1. The Sweet Spot: When to Secure Your Photographer

Most couples book their wedding photographer between 6 and 12 months in advance. If your wedding date is during peak season (think sunny spring weekends or magical autumn Saturdays), aim closer to the 12-18 month mark to snag your favourite pro.

2. Why Book So Early?

Popular photographers and dates fill up fast—think of your date as concert tickets to your favorite band.
Early booking gives you time to get to know your photographer and plan engagement shoots, venue walk-throughs, and style consultation calls.
You’ll have first pick on packages, albums, and custom add-ons, instead of settling for what’s left.

3. Planning Timeline: Your Booking Checklist

After venue: Once your venue is booked and you have your date—start looking for a photographer right away.
Budget in mind: Decide what you can spend. Expect to allocate 8-12% of your wedding budget for photography, and remember that great photographs are worth their weight in gold.
Reach out and connect: Ask friends for recommendations, check out work online, read reviews, and set up a consultation to vibe with your top picks.

4. Flexibility: What If You’re Last-Minute?

Not every wedding is planned a year out—sometimes couples secure a photographer just a few months, or even weeks, ahead. If your date is off-peak or you’re planning an intimate celebration, get in touch with Heuningsoet Photography anyway—you might get lucky and snag a free date.

5. Love at First Click

Your wedding photos are the storybooks you’ll flip through forever, so don’t leave it to chance. Book as early as you can, enjoy the journey, and look forward to reliving your best day with images that capture every laugh, dance, and happy tear.