5 Reasons to book your wedding photographer early.
1. Popular dates.
By deciding to book your wedding photographer early you’ll have a better chance of securing the photographer whose personality & style resonates with you most. Dates in May & June are already in very high demand for 2025 weddings. Almost every Saturday date in these months are in the top 20 most searched for wedding dates of 2025.
Eighty percent of the most popular wedding dates in 2025 occur in these two months. So if you’re wanting one of these dates you’ll want to act fast! Also the first Saturday in September is a very popular date this year.
Here are some lucky dates for the more superstitious among you in 2025;
The eighth of August is considered a lucky date in chinese culture for prosperity & wealth. The tenth of October is said to symbolise the circle of life & completeness.
Established wedding photographers often get booked months or even years in advance. Especially for those peak wedding dates. However the booking trend in the wedding industry has changed significantly since 2020 and not all couples are planning their wedding years in advance. I’m still seeing enquiries for this year from couples & I do still have some popular 2025 dates available !
What to look for when researching your wedding photographer:
- Absolutely a portfolio that matches your vision and wedding day aesthetics.
- Positive reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Do check Google, Facebook pages & search index sites such as Bridebook.
- A personality that makes you feel comfortable and confident. You’ll want to be able to relax & enjoy your day knowing that you can trust in your photographer to capture the moments that are important to you. You’ll also want to feel relaxed & enjoy your wedding day photos when they are being taken.
- If you enjoyed the experience while the photograph was being taken then chances are you’ll love the picture !
2. Saving cost without being scammed.
Photography prices increase over time due to rising demand or a photographer’s overheads rising such as their business insurances, fuel, equipment maintenance or replacement & the increased cost of living.
Professional photographers will price themselves appropriately for their level of experience & skills. If the price you see seems to good to be true, then it probably is.
Behind professional photography is years experience, alot of skill & expertise. Professional photographers create beautiful photos consistently, under pressure & in any lighting scenario. They’ll also manage any tricky family situations whilst also remembering your list of must have photos.
Unfortunately there have been alot of instances in recent years of couples being scammed by unprofessional & inexperienced people. These A.I photographers create amazing portfolios often using A.I. Sadly those couples have been tempted by what appears to be a cost saving. After their wedding they are left without any wedding photos at all, or a set of images that don’t resemble the portfolio that they were shown. In some instances the photographer booked hasn’t even turned up on the wedding day !
Too little understanding or knowledge of how to back up, store & protect the image files can mean that the images get lost or the files get corrupted. An inconsistent work flow when it comes to the editing will show in the delivered gallery of photos. A lack of experience may result in key moments missing from your wedding album..
By booking a professional wedding photographer early in you can lock in their current rates and avoid paying more nearer your wedding date. This can help you stay within your wedding budget while still having a great experience & receiving high-quality wedding photography.
What to check or look for:
- Transparent pricing and clear package details.
- Options for customisation to suit your needs.
- Payment plans or flexible deposit terms.
- Venue wishlist for potential discounts.
- Midweek discounts.
- Does the quality of the work match the price they are selling their services for ?
- Check that they have a website as well as social media accounts. If they don’t this could be a red flag.
- Do they have a contract ? This should lay out exactly what they are offering to you & what you can expect.
3. More Time to Plan Your Vision
Making the decision to book your wedding photographer early gives you more time to collaborate and plan the perfect vision for your wedding day photography. Whether it’s creating a shot list, scouting locations, or discussing themes together.
Your photographer will have more time to understand your preferences, put in the preparation & deliver the pictures that you want if you get them onboard early in your wedding planning journey.
Don’t get too hung up on previous experience at your venue, fresh eyes & a new perspective will create the opportunity for photos unique to your day.
What to Look For:
- Willingness to listen to your ideas and incorporate them.
- Experience with your type of wedding (e.g., outdoor, destination, church or themed).
- Creative input and suggestions to enhance your vision.
- Can you see yourself in their photos in their portfolio ?
- A varied porfolio demonstrating competency in all lighting & weather scenarios (Bright sunlight can be just as much of a challenge as rain in the UK)
- A.I photographers. Always ask to see entire galleries (more than one ideally). Remember that highlight reels & social media posts can be very misleading.
4. Peace of Mind
Wedding planning involves juggling multiple details and booking your wedding photographer early means one less thing to worry about. Knowing that your special moments will be captured as beautifully as you want them to be, allows you to focus on the other aspects of your big day.
What to Look For:
- A professional who communicates clearly and promptly.
- A well-defined contract & booking process outlining services and expectations.
- Check the contract for key things such as delivery times for photo or video, payment dates, alternative arrangements in the event of them not being able to attend on the day.
- Level of public liability insurance. Check that it matches your venue’s requirements.
- A high level of experience as a principal/lead wedding photographer. A good number of weddings for a successful, professional photographer are approximately 30-40 per year.
- Modern, up to date professional equipment that is regularly serviced & professionally maintained.
- Back up plans for equipment, attendance cover & data handling storage for unforeseen circumstances.
5. Availability for Pre wedding photoshoots or Engagement Sessions
Many photographers offer engagement sessions as part of their packages. Booking your wedding photographer early will help to schedule this session at a time that works best for you. Maybe you’ll use those beautiful photos for save-the-date or those important social media announcements. Be aware though that you may not be able to book these sessions during the weekends through peak wedding season.
So if this is important to you, booking your wedding photographer early will ensure the best availability & choice of dates.
A pre wedding photo shoot also gives you time together in person with your photographer ahead of your wedding day. Maximise this opportunity to spend time with them by also visiting your venue on the same day as your photoshoot. This extra time spent in each other’s company will pay off in the relaxed and natural wedding photos that you’ll be able to create together on your wedding day.
What to Look For:
- A photographer who offers engagement/pre wedding photoshoots included in their packages.
- Flexibility in scheduling your session.
- Examples of past engagement sessions that align with your style & personality.
Ready to Book Your 2025/2026 Wedding Photographer?
Don’t wait until it’s too late !
Get in touch to secure your date and start planning your ideal wedding photography experience.
Contact me now to inquire about availability and packages.
