The wedding planning has commenced, and now you need help figuring out where to start. While there are a million things to do, the best approach is to make a list and put the high-priority things first. One of those top things should be booking your photographer. Here are 4 things to consider when booking your dream photographer to capture your wedding day.
Find A Wedding Photographer That Aligns With You
Finding your wedding photographer is more than just pricing. Talking with the photographer before signing on the dotted line is important. Talk to multiple photographers to find the right one for you. It would help if you asked the following questions:
- Are they available on your wedding date?
- Does their vision and style align with yours?
- Did they seem invested in knowing you? If you’re basing your decision solely on cost alone, you may be disappointed with the experience and or the product.
- How do you want your wedding day to feel?
- Did they listen to you and get your personality?
- Do the packages feel like a good fit for you?
These questions will help guide you in making your decision to choose the best photographer for your wedding. You deserve the best possible experience because your experience with your photographer strongly reflects how you feel about your photos later on. Lucky for you, I have created the perfect vendor questionnaire to help you create your dream wedding team!
Book Your Wedding Photographer Well In Advance
Right after booking your venue, your photographer should be next in line. From my experience, I typically have couples booking with me about 8-12 months before their wedding. What’s more, this will allow you to take your time, thoroughly research photographers, and ultimately have peace of mind.
That said, even if you are less than 12 months old, contacting your favorite photographers never hurts. Don’t hesitate to reach out because no matter how “last minute” it may feel, we still may be a good fit! The story’s moral is that there’s never a perfect time, but the sooner, the better!
Be Mindful Of Your Wedding Date
As you can imagine, weekends will typically be booked first and fast! Fridays are a great option; they are almost considered weekends, and you have better chances of having photographers available to shoot your wedding. Speaking as a seasoned wedding photographer, the busiest months in the PNW to have your wedding is September and August. Those months may come with premium pricing for those coveted dates. Regardless, be mindful of your chosen day and when the busy wedding season is. These will give you more substantial incentives when you should secure your wedding photographer sooner.
Your Investment Will Go A Long Way
The first thing that comes to mind is how much this wedding will cost. Budgeting for a wedding can be scary; trust me, I know! But I’d be lying if I said that investing in your photos shouldn’t be your top or leading investment. After your day, your dress gets hung up in a closet, your cake gets eaten, your flowers will disappear, and then it’s back to everyday life. But your wedding gallery will live on forever and be viewed countless times for generations to come. They’re the only thing, other than your memories, that will allow you to relive your wedding day repeatedly, never forgetting how it truly felt!
That’s why I believe it is so important to prioritize hiring a photographer that not only fits your style and understands your vision but one you wholeheartedly trust to capture the unseen in-between moments, your family members reuniting and celebrating around you, all the little details you planned countless hours planning, and so much more.
I want us both to be screaming from the rooftops and hearts bursting about working together— that’s what you deserve from a photographer.
