When to book a wedding photographer?
- George Polgar
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Wedding planning has a funny way of convincing you that choosing between ivory and off-white napkins is somehow an urgent life decision. Meanwhile, the professional wedding photographer you fell in love with on Instagram quietly disappears from the available dates list.
Oops...
It happens far more often than you'd think. Many couples spend months planning the little details, only to realise the suppliers they wanted most were booked long ago.
That's why one of the most common questions couples ask is when to book wedding photographer services. The short answer? Earlier than you probably think. This article explains exactly when to book your photographer (and videographer), what affects availability, and how to avoid missing out on the people you genuinely want capturing your wedding day.
Key Takeaways
Booking your wedding photographer 9 to 18 months in advance gives you the best chance of securing your preferred supplier.
Popular dates, destinations, and experienced photographers are often booked well over a year ahead.
Choosing your photographer early gives you more options, less stress, and more time to plan the rest of your wedding.
Quick navigation // Table of Contents
1) Why Timing Is Critical When Booking Your Wedding Photographer
Wedding photography isn't something you can simply pick up at the last minute like a forgotten bottle of champagne. Your photographer can only be in one place on any given day: once they're booked, they're booked.
Unlike venues that might host several weddings across different spaces, photographers and videographers usually accept just one wedding each day. That means availability disappears surprisingly quickly, particularly for experienced professionals with a distinctive style.
Booking early also gives you something just as valuable as availability: peace of mind. Once your photographer is confirmed, you can move on to planning the rest of your wedding knowing one of the biggest decisions is already taken care of.
2) When to Book a Wedding Photographer (and Videographer Too)? The Ideal Timeline
So, how early is early enough?
For most weddings, I recommend booking your photographer and wedding videographer as soon as you've secured your venue and confirmed your wedding date. In many cases, that's around 9 to 18 months before the wedding. If you're planning a popular summer wedding or getting married at a sought-after venue, even earlier can be a smart move.
Waiting isn't always disastrous, but it dramatically reduces your options. The further you leave it, the more likely you'll find yourself choosing from whoever happens to be available rather than the people whose work you genuinely love.
If you're hoping to book both photography and videography through the same team, it's worth enquiring even earlier. Availability needs to line up for everyone involved.
Peak Wedding Season vs. Off-Peak Dates
Not all wedding dates are created equal. In New Zealand, spring and summer are traditionally the busiest wedding seasons. Saturdays between November and March are especially popular, meaning photographers often receive multiple enquiries for the same dates.
Winter weddings usually offer greater flexibility, although experienced photographers can still book out well in advance.
Off-season doesn't necessarily mean last minute.
Popular Weekend Dates and Holidays
Certain dates disappear from calendars almost immediately: long weekends, public holidays, Valentine's weekend, and memorable dates like 02/02 or 25/05 tend to attract a huge number of enquiries. (Before choosing your date, it's also worth checking New Zealand's public holiday calendar, as long weekends are often among the first dates to book out.)
The same applies to Saturdays. Friday and Sunday weddings sometimes offer a little more flexibility, while weekday celebrations often have the greatest availability.
If your wedding date has special significance, don't assume your favourite photographer will still be free six months from now. Instead, secure them as early as possible and remove one major source of planning stress.
3) Factors That Influence How Early You Should Book
No two weddings follow exactly the same planning timeline. Several factors can affect how far in advance you should start contacting photographers.
The Photographer's Popularity and Demand
Like wedding venues, photographers develop reputations over time. Those with consistent portfolios, excellent reviews, and a recognisable storytelling style often receive bookings more than a year in advance. That's especially true for photographers whose work resonates emotionally with couples rather than simply producing technically beautiful images.
If you've spent hours looking through someone's portfolio and immediately thought, "That's exactly what we want", there's a good chance plenty of other couples have had the same idea. The earlier you enquire, the better your chances of securing your first choice.
Your Wedding Location and Destination Weddings
Where you're getting married can have a huge impact on how early you should book your photographer. Popular destinations like Queenstown, Wanaka, and Central Otago attract couples from across New Zealand and overseas. Because many photographers travel for destination weddings, their calendars often fill much earlier than those working primarily in one region.
If you're planning a destination wedding, it's worth securing your photographer soon after confirming your venue. You'll have far more choice and plenty of time to organise travel, timelines, and location planning together.
Elopements and Micro-Weddings vs. Large Celebrations
A common misconception is that smaller weddings can be organised at the last minute.
Sometimes that's true, but it shouldn't be your strategy.
Many photographers actually love photographing elopements and intimate weddings because they allow for more creative storytelling. That means these dates can disappear just as quickly as large traditional weddings, especially during peak season.
Whether you're inviting 10 guests or 150, if you've found a photographer whose style you genuinely love, don't assume they'll still be available a few months from now.
4) Risks of Waiting Too Long to Secure Your Photographer
Leaving photography until the last stages of wedding planning comes with several risks. The most obvious is that your preferred photographer simply won't be available. That often forces couples to compromise: instead of choosing someone whose work truly resonates with them, they're left selecting from whoever still has an opening.
Waiting can also make planning more stressful. Once your photographer is confirmed, they can often help with timelines, lighting advice, location suggestions, and recommendations for other trusted suppliers.
The longer you wait, the more those opportunities disappear.
Perhaps the biggest risk, though, is regret. Flowers fade, the cake gets eaten, the dance floor eventually empties: your photographs are one of the few things that become more valuable as the years pass. Choosing someone whose work you'll genuinely love looking back on deserves plenty of thought, not a last-minute decision made because there were only two names left on the list.
5) Steps to Take Before Signing the Photography Contract
Booking early is important, but so is booking wisely. Before signing any contract, take a little time to make sure you've found the right fit.
Here are a few things worth checking:
Browse several full wedding galleries, not just social media highlights.
Read recent client reviews to understand the overall experience.
Confirm exactly what's included in the package.
Ask about travel costs, delivery timeframes, and backup plans.
Make sure your personalities are a good match: you'll spend a lot of your wedding day together.
If you're booking both photography and videography, ask whether the team regularly works together: a well-coordinated team (like us :)) can make the day feel far more relaxed while ensuring neither service gets in the other's way.
This is also a great time to explore our guides on creating the perfect wedding timeline and deciding whether professional wedding videography is worth the investment. Many couples find those articles helpful before making their final booking decisions.
Booking your photographer isn't just another task to tick off your wedding checklist: it's about choosing the person who'll preserve memories you'll return to for decades.
If you're planning your wedding and wondering whether your date is still available, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you're organising a large celebration, an intimate garden wedding, or a mountain elopement, we're always happy to chat about your plans and help you capture them through beautiful photos and films.
FAQ
When should you hire a wedding photographer for a destination wedding?
Ideally, as soon as you've confirmed your wedding date and venue. Destination weddings often require additional travel planning, and experienced photographers can be booked more than a year in advance, especially for popular locations like Queenstown or Wanaka.
Should I book the wedding venue or the photographer first?
In most cases, it's best to secure your wedding venue first, as it determines your date. Once your venue is confirmed, book your photographer and videographer as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing your preferred team.
Can I change my wedding date after signing a contract with a photographer?
That depends on the terms of your contract and your photographer's availability. If your plans change, contact your photographer as soon as possible. While some may be able to accommodate a new date, there's no guarantee they'll still be available.
How early should I book a wedding photographer for an off-season wedding?
Off-season weddings generally offer greater availability, but that doesn't mean you should wait until the last minute. Booking 9 to 12 months in advance is still recommended if you want the widest choice of photographers and videographers.
Should we book our engagement photoshoot at the same time as the wedding?
Yes, if you're planning to have one. Booking your engagement session together with your wedding photography ensures availability and gives you a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera before your big day.
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And if you're ready to talk wedding films, get in touch here, we'd love to hear from you!
 | I'm George, the filmmaker and creative partner behind Red Guy Films. I create cinematic wedding films full of emotion and meaning. I began my career in television and advertising back in 2005, and I've been telling real stories ever since. |
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