How Soon Is Too Soon To Book Photographer?

[Everly]

So we have settled on the resort in Punta Cana and the time, November 2016.  How soon is too soon to contact photographers? FI says its too soon. Should we wait a few more months? I know we can just ask about pricing now but we can do that a few more months from now as well. Nov'16 is pretty far off still. How far out do they normally book?

 

Appreciate any advise or insight that can be given!

 

 

[Wafflesmom]

Hi @@Everly! Congrats on getting the location and date settled, that's always a big step we booked our photographer over a year in advance; we booked him in October 2014 when our wedding isn't until January 2016. I loved his style do much that I couldn't risk having him already booked and unavailable for our wedding. In hindsight, it helped us in a few ways.

1) we were able to book and sign a contract using his 2014 prices. I've found a few vendors raise their prices by at least 10% each year

2) as a Canadian bride, having paid his $600 deposit back in October actually saved us money since the Canadian dollar was better back then

3) our hotel changed the outside photographer vendor fee in 2015 from $400 to $800. Since we booked him in 2014, the hotel is honouring the old vendor fee! Woohoo

 

So basically lots of benefit on our end for booking early. Have you chosen a resort? If you have, make sure you factor in the vendor fees if there are any.

 

Good luck in your search

[TAkathy]

Once you have secured and deposited the hotel you are committed. then you can begin to "build" the event and  selecting and securing the vendors is a big part of that.  As mentioned by Wafflesmom, it is important to factor in any fee charged by the resort for using an "outside" vendor if there is one.

When your homework results in the right photographer for you, pull the trigger.  The best ones go fast and so does time.  I feel it is always best to secure the people you want when you find them - that way you avoid having to select from who is left. Just be sure you read the contract carefully for all the vendors so you are fully aware of all pertinent info - cancellation penalties, etc.

Enjoy the process!

[MarieSamSanchezPhoto]

So honestly, speaking as a former BDW bride -- booking a photographer was one of the very first things I did. This was especially important because our photographer was in high demand and we were flying them out to Mexico from California, so I wanted to make sure there were no conflicts.

 

It really depends on the logistics of booking your photographer -- are they local to the destination area or are you bringing one to the area. And of course, like TA Kathy mentioned, the good ones go fast! So if you find a photographer you really love, send out that inquiry right away and at least get the ball rolling to find out if they're available.

 

Speaking now as a wedding photographer -- I can tell you that some photographers are willing to book 2 years in advance where as others will only book a year in advance. Thankfully you have plenty of time to search and find the right one for you! The good thing about sending an inquiry early is that some photographers will honor their current pricing as opposed to giving you rates that will account for expected future markup.

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Happy to give you my photographer insight 

[Everly]

You ladies are wonderful! Thank you for the advice!

 

There is one photographer I definitely want. The only thing is we haven't booked the resort yet. Being in Canada once we pull the trigger to book it guests only have 3 months to place their $150 non-refundable deposit. Which 3 months from now is still 1.5 months from the wedding. We wanted to give them more time to plan and consider coming before making them commit. Our TA(also future sister in law) suggested waiting until the summer to officially book.  I wasn't sure if "booking" the photographer before actually having the resort booked would be......silly/weird/uncouth. (I know we can't book the photographer without the date but at least get a dialogue going)

 

So I will get in tough with the photographer I have my eye on. I would be devastated to wait 6 months and then find out they were booked for our estimated date!

 

Appreciate all your bridal words of wisdom!! Thank you! 

[calgarybride2015]

I don't think it's ever too early to book your package - especially if it's a good price. If you wait prices can go up, resorts can sell out, your wedding date can be gone, etc etc.

 

Here's how ours worked. We booked in May. Deposit of $200 was due mid July. Final payment was due mid October and we married in January. Was perfect.

 

If your wedding is only 4.5 months away (if I did your math right) I say you need to get moving ASAP!!! People need time to book holidays, get childcare in order, save money etc etc .... But that's only my opinion.

 

I wouldn't start reserving vendors until your resort wedding date and travels are booked incase there is a glitch.

 

 

 

 

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Edited February 8, 2015 by calgarybride2015

[TinkerSofi]

I dont think it's too soon. We booked ours almost as soon as we booked our hotel, almost a year and a half before. He raised his prices now so I'm sure glad we booked him when we did! Also some photographers are really in high demand so they book quickly this way you get to make sure you get who you want

 

 

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[Everly]

I don't think it's ever too early to book your package - especially if it's a good price. If you wait prices can go up, resorts can sell out, your wedding date can be gone, etc etc.

 

Here's how ours worked. We booked in May. Deposit of $200 was due mid July. Final payment was due mid October and we married in January. Was perfect.

 

If your wedding is only 4.5 months away (if I did your math right) I say you need to get moving ASAP!!! People need time to book holidays, get childcare in order, save money etc etc .... But that's only my opinion.

 

I wouldn't start reserving vendors until your resort wedding date and travels are booked incase there is a glitch.

 

 

 

 

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lol, oops!! I meant 1.5 YEARS away. Not months. It won't be until November 2016. We figure by this summer we will book the resort and do invites. Admittedly there is a part of me that worries about waiting in case we miss something but we don't want to surprise any of our guests with having to put a deposit down within three months for a wedding that's still 640 days away.I just want to give them a little heads up since we haven't been talking about it at all to anyone. 

 

I dont think it's too soon. We booked ours almost as soon as we booked our hotel, almost a year and a half before. He raised his prices now so I'm sure glad we booked him when we did! Also some photographers are really in high demand so they book quickly this way you get to make sure you get who you want

 

 

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I have sent an email off to the photographer! I feel better now that its done, although nervous on their reply for some reason! lol. And it would be a huge bonus to lock in prices too! 

[TinkerSofi]

lol, oops!! I meant 1.5 YEARS away. Not months. It won't be until November 2016. We figure by this summer we will book the resort and do invites. Admittedly there is a part of me that worries about waiting in case we miss something but we don't want to surprise any of our guests with having to put a deposit down within three months for a wedding that's still 640 days away.I just want to give them a little heads up since we haven't been talking about it at all to anyone.

 

 

I have sent an email off to the photographer! I feel better now that its done, although nervous on their reply for some reason! lol. And it would be a huge bonus to lock in prices too!

Us and our guests booked 1.5 years before. Some were still undecided due to changing finances, but most booked at that time. I agree with Calgarybride I would lock in your hotel and date before getting the photographer, only because if your date is not available and need to change it, if your photographer is not available on the new date you might lose your deposit. It just gets more complicated to then try and change dates to your photographers availability.

 

Some people will tell you that it's too early but I thought it was good

 

 

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[calgarybride2015]

lol, oops!! I meant 1.5 YEARS away. Not months. It won't be until November 2016. We figure by this summer we will book the resort and do invites. Admittedly there is a part of me that worries about waiting in case we miss something but we don't want to surprise any of our guests with having to put a deposit down within three months for a wedding that's still 640 days away.I just want to give them a little heads up since we haven't been talking about it at all to anyone.

 

 

I have sent an email off to the photographer! I feel better now that its done, although nervous on their reply for some reason! lol. And it would be a huge bonus to lock in prices too!

Haha yes that makes more sense in that case I agree we did 8-9 months more or less. I'd say 8m-1y is perfect.

 

 

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