When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer in Kent?
Book your wedding photographer 12 to 18 months before your wedding, especially if you are getting married on a Saturday between May and September. Popular Kent photographers often take just one wedding per date, so once your venue is confirmed, photography should be next on your list.
Couples are sometimes surprised when they contact me two years ahead and I already have bookings in the diary for their year. Equally, I have had lovely weddings come together in a few months. Here is a realistic guide to wedding photography booking timelines in Kent, and what to do if you are working on a shorter runway.
Why do wedding photographers get booked so far ahead?
Unlike caterers or florists, a photographer can only be in one place at a time, and most of us only photograph one wedding per date. There are roughly 20 peak-season Saturdays in a year, so those dates go first and they go fast. Most of my couples book between 12 and 18 months out, and peak Saturdays are usually the first to disappear.
Venues in Kent tend to be booked 18 to 24 months ahead, which is why my advice is simple: once you have your venue and your date, sort your photographer straight away while your first choice is still available.
What is the booking process actually like?
It is far less formal than most couples expect. You get in touch, we arrange a relaxed chat over Zoom or in person, and we talk through your plans, your venue and how you imagine the day. It is as much about checking we are a good fit as anything else, because your photographer is the supplier you will spend the most time with on your wedding day.
If you are happy to go ahead, a booking fee of 20 percent secures your date and the rest is not due until nearer the wedding. Closer to the day we will have a proper planning conversation about your timeline, family groups and anything else that affects the photography.
What if your wedding is less than a year away?
Do not panic. Midweek dates, Sundays and off-season weddings often have far more availability, even at short notice. Some of the most relaxed weddings I have photographed were planned in under six months.
If you are on a short timeline:
- Contact photographers with your exact date straight away, as availability is the first filter
- Be open on style questions later, but confirm the date first
- Ask about turnaround times so you know when to expect your gallery
- Consider an intimate coverage package if you are planning a smaller celebration
When should you plan the photography details?
Once you are booked, the detailed planning can relax until a few months before the wedding. That is when we will talk through your timeline properly: the best time for family group photographs, when the light will be at its best for portraits, and how to keep everything running smoothly so you spend your day celebrating rather than organising.
If you have not photographed your venue with me before, I like to visit it beforehand where possible, usually around the same time of day as your ceremony, so I know exactly where the good light and the good backdrops are.
Checking availability
If you have your date, the quickest way to find out if I am free is to send me a message with your date and venue. You can also read my FAQs for answers to the most common questions about how I work on the day.
