There are many elements to a finely crafted wedding, all of which need to come together
seamlessly to create the perfect day. One of the most important aspects of any wedding is
photography: the immortal relics of your most precious moments. Choosing the right
photographer is key to capturing your day in its entirety, but how far in advance should you
start looking for yours?
Let’s explore just how much time you should leave yourself to plan this essential component,
and how the various details of your wedding can influence this.

Location

Likely the very first priority on your wedding planning to-do list is to decide on where you
wish to get married. If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, you’ll want to look for a
photographer local to your venue. This ensures that you’ll be working with an expert in the
area who has worked at the location before and understands where to find the best
viewpoints, how to work the lighting and maximise the available scenery. While you can fly
specific photographers overseas, the costs can quickly eat into your budget, and they are
unlikely to be knowledgeable enough about your chosen wedding destination to give you the
best experience.
Likewise, if you’re planning your wedding closer to home, finding a photographer who has
experience with your chosen venue is ideal. You can speak to your wedding planner or
venue manager to enquire about their recommendations, but whether you source a
photographer yourself or take their advice, you’ll want to book them as soon as possible
after confirming your venue.

Seasonality

In peak wedding season, desirable venues and suppliers can get booked up to 12-24 months
in advance, and the same is true for sought-after photographers. Especially if you’re
planning a summer wedding, you’ll want to book your creative professionals asap. It’s
important to keep an open mind until you find a photographer that fits both your vision and
your wedding date, as you may have to compromise if your first choice is already booked.
For off-peak weddings, you may be able to find a photographer at short notice. Looking for
recommendations online or via other wedding professionals is a great starting point, as is
reaching out to as many photographers who match your theme and style as you can find
within a reasonable area. Be sure to still ask plenty of questions to establish whether or not
the photographer is right for your special day.

Guest list size

For large weddings, one photographer may not offer enough coverage to capture all of the
intimate moments between your extended family and friends. In this case, it’s best to enquire
if your preferred photographer can offer a larger package or deal that includes additional
photographers to support them throughout your wedding day.
This also depends on your location, as if the area your guests are inhabiting will be spread
out, you may want two photographers: one to capture candid moments among your loved
ones, and one to focus on you both as newlyweds.

Get sorted early

Ultimately, it’s important to book your wedding photographer as soon as possible after
securing your venue – but anything between 9-12 months before the date should be fine.
The sooner you can confirm the essential details of your wedding, the more time you’ll have
to enjoy the more fun, lighthearted aspects, such as your decor and add-ons.