Straight answer: you should book a wedding photographer 9 to 12 months before your date. That’s the sweet spot for most weddings. If you’re getting married in peak season — May, June, September, or October — push that to a full year or more. Elopements are a whole different story and can book in a much shorter window, sometimes as little as a couple weeks.

Now let me tell you why, because the timing actually matters more than people think.

Why you should book a wedding photographer 9 to 12 months out

Two reasons, and they’re both about you, not me.

Payment plans.

Your photographer is going to take up a solid chunk of your budget. Booking 9-12 months out gives you the most flexibility to spread that investment out over time instead of eating it in one or two big chunks. More time = smaller payments = less financial stress while you’re also paying for a venue, a dress, catering, and everything else. This is genuinely the biggest reason to book early.

Photographers should be one of your first vendors.

After you lock your venue and date, your photographer should be near the top of the list. Partly because good ones book out, but mostly because we’re a big enough line item that you want it settled early so you know what budget you’re working with for everything else.

Related: How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Date: Questions to Ask Yourself

When my books actually open

I open my calendar a year out. So 2027 dates opened up in December of 2025. 2028 will open in December of 2026. That means if you’re eyeing a specific date, there’s a real window where it becomes available and then starts filling.

Which brings me to engagement season. In my experience, my proposal inquiries spike near the end of summer or between November and February. Which means a LOT of newly engaged couples hit the market at the same time, all shopping for the same wedding dates. So the sooner you can reach out, the better!

Peak season? Book a wedding photographer even earlier

If you’re getting married in May, June, September, or October, I recommend booking those dates at least a year out. Those are the months that go first, every single year. Fall in particular — those weekends are gone early.

Off-season and weekday weddings? You’ve got way more breathing room. Same for winter.

Elopements are a completely different timeline

Elopements book in a MUCH shorter window. I’ve photographed elopements booked two weeks ahead. I’ve booked them four months out. Usually it’s somewhere under six months, and that’s completely normal — it’s part of what makes an elopement an elopement.

The exception: if you’re planning an elevated elopement — say 8 to 15 guests, a planner, real design, basically a wedding but mini — that behaves more like a wedding. I booked one of those about nine months out. If that’s your vibe, plan accordingly.

If you want to see that elevated elopement, check it out: A Fall Elopement at The Woodlands House | Mt. Hood, Oregon

The thing nobody tells you: don’t book two years out

Okay, controversial take. I don’t open my books two years in advance, and I’d caution you against locking in vendors that far out anyway.

Here’s why: A lot can change in two years.

You could fall in love with a different vendor for that same service. You could get a new job that completely changes your wedding budget. You could decide you actually want to elope instead. & not to be glass half empty, but your venue could close, change hands, or literally catch fire. You could break up (I’ve unfortunately had that happen). Covid-18.0 could happen.

There are so many unknowns that far out, and I don’t think planning a wedding more than about 18 months ahead is good for your life, your stress levels, or your finances. You don’t want to be financially locked into something that no longer works for who you are two years from now.

That said — getting on the radar of your favorites? Never hurts. Slide into their DMs, get on their email list, follow along. Or just search around for fun, because it IS fun. Doing your research early costs you nothing. Signing a contract and putting down a deposit two years out is a different thing entirely.

Planning on a shorter timeline? Inquire anyway.

Real talk: there are unicorn photographers out there (hi) who sometimes have surprise availability, even for couples planning on a tight timeline. Dates open up. Plans shift. Life happens.

So if you’re getting married in less than 6 months and you think you missed your window — just ask. The worst thing I can say is that I’m booked. And if I’m not? We’re going to have a great time.

Before you book a wedding photographer, start here

If you’re at the very beginning of all this and not sure what to do first: I’ve got a full wedding planning timeline and checklist that breaks down what to tackle at every month mark. Then here’s a little guide on how to get married in Lake Tahoe. And of course my guide to my faveee wedding venues in Tahoe: 15 Lake Tahoe Wedding Venues that Will Make Your Jaw Drop

And if you’re wondering what a photographer actually costs before you commit to a timeline, I broke that down too: how much does a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer cost.

So, when should you reach out?

If your date is 9-12 months away, now. If it’s peak season, yesterday. If it’s four months away, still now — just ask. Inquire and let’s see what we can do.

Before you inquire, here’s what to ask on your consult call so you can come prepared!