Knowing when to book a wedding photographer is one of the first decisions you’ll make after getting engaged — and it’s one most couples don’t take seriously until a date is already gone.

After 30 years of photographing weddings across New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, I’ve seen the same thing play out too many times: a couple falls in love with a photographer’s work, reaches out, and finds out their Saturday in October was booked eight months ago. The disappointment is real — and it’s entirely avoidable.

This guide walks you through five timing rules I share with every couple I speak with, plus some honest advice on how to work the process in your favor even if your timeline is tighter than you’d like.

If you’re just starting to explore your options, you can also visit my wedding photography page to get a sense of my approach before reaching out.

Rule #1: Start Looking Within the First 30 Days of Getting Engaged

The engagement high is real. Enjoy it. But within the first month, your photographer search should begin.

Photographers who consistently deliver — the ones with strong portfolios, fast turnaround, and hundreds of five-star reviews from real couples — often book out 12 to 18 months in advance for peak Saturdays in a market as active as northern New Jersey and the New York metro area.

You don’t need to sign a contract on day one. But you should be researching portfolios, reading reviews, and making inquiry calls while your date is still open. Every week you wait is a week someone else might claim it.

Rule #2: Peak Season in NJ and NYC Means You Need More Lead Time Than You Think

In northern New Jersey, the Hudson Valley, and across the NYC metro area, peak wedding season runs from late May through October — with June, September, and October consistently filling up first. Saturdays during those months are the first to disappear, often a full year or more before the date arrives.

If your wedding falls on a Saturday between June and October at a venue like Rockleigh Country Club, The Castle at Skylands Manor, Hamilton Farm Golf Club, or any of the high-demand spaces in Bergen or Morris County, 14 to 18 months out is not too early. It’s about right.

For off-peak dates — Fridays, Sundays, or winter months — you’ll have more room. Which brings me to something worth knowing.

If You’re Flexible, Here’s How to Win Availability

Flexibility is one of the most underused tools in wedding planning. If you’re open to a Friday evening, a Sunday, or a date between November and March, you’ll often find that your first-choice photographer — the one who’s been booked solid every Saturday for months — suddenly has your date open.

Beyond the day of the week, consider start time. A 10 a.m. ceremony often has availability even when a 4 p.m. ceremony on the same date doesn’t. If your venue allows it, this small shift can unlock options that otherwise look completely unavailable.

I work with couples across all seasons and days of the week, and some of my favorite weddings have been intimate Friday evenings and early Sunday mornings when everything felt unhurried. If locking in a specific photographer matters to you, flexibility on timing is the most direct path to making it work.

Rule #3: Venue and Photographer Should Be Booked at the Same Time

Most couples treat these as two separate decisions with two separate timelines. In practice, they should happen almost simultaneously.

The moment you sign your venue contract, your date is locked. That same date is now unavailable to every other couple who inquires with your photographer. If you wait 60 or 90 days after booking your venue to start photographer outreach, you may find your first and second choices are already gone.

Book your photographer within 30 to 60 days of signing your venue contract — or start the photographer search before you’ve finalized the venue so you’re ready to move quickly the moment ink hits paper.

One additional note: if your venue maintains an approved vendor list, confirm that your photographer is on it before you fall in love with their work. This comes up more than couples expect, and it’s worth a five-minute phone call to your venue coordinator to avoid a frustrating surprise later.

Rule #4: Give Yourself Time to Find the Right Fit — Not Just an Available Date

One thing couples overlook when figuring out when to book a wedding photographer is how long it takes to find someone you actually trust.

Your photographer will be with you for eight to ten hours on one of the most emotional days of your life. You’ll be nervous, joyful, teary, and everything in between. The person behind the camera needs to be someone who makes you feel at ease — not just someone who takes technically good pictures.

That fit comes through a real conversation. In my initial calls with couples, I’m not just answering questions — I’m listening for how they talk about their day, what they’re most anxious about, and what moments matter most to them. That shapes everything from how I move through the day to how I direct portraits to how I handle the unexpected. It’s also how couples go from feeling stiff in front of a camera to forgetting it’s there.

Give yourself three to four months of active searching so you’re choosing from confidence, not pressure. You can start that process anytime by reaching out through my contact page.

Rule #5: If Your Wedding Is Less Than Six Months Away, Move Today

If you’re six months out and haven’t booked your photographer yet, this guide just became urgent.

At the six-month mark, options narrow — especially for peak-season Saturdays in northern New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island. Some photographers will still have availability, particularly for off-peak dates or smaller celebrations. But waiting another two or three weeks to start making calls is a risk you don’t need to take.

Send inquiries to four or five photographers today. Ask directly: “Is [your date] available?” Don’t wait to hear back from one before contacting others. Move quickly, review portfolios carefully, and prioritize getting on a call.

Late booking doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It means the process just got more urgent.

Quick Reference: When to Book Based on Your Timeline

18 months out — Ideal for peak-season Saturdays in NJ and NYC. Maximum choice, zero pressure. 12 to 14 months out— Strong availability for most dates; this is when most well-prepared couples book. 9 to 12 months out — Good options still exist; move quickly once you find the right fit. 6 to 9 months out — Limited peak-season availability; act fast and stay flexible on day/time. Under 6 months — Reach out immediately. Be prepared to decide quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 12 months too late to book a wedding photographer? For most dates and venues in northern New Jersey, 12 months is still a solid window — especially if you’re flexible on the day of the week or time of year. For peak-season Saturdays at high-demand venues, it can be tight. Start your search now and move quickly if you find the right fit.

Should I book my photographer and videographer at the same time? Yes — and ideally from the same team or through a coordinated referral. When your photo and video coverage are aligned from the start, the day runs more smoothly, the teams don’t work against each other, and the final product is cohesive. I offer both photo and video coverage, as well as content creation for couples who want same-day social media content from their wedding day. It’s worth a single conversation rather than two separate searches.

What if my venue requires an approved vendor list? Check it early. Some venues in northern New Jersey require photographers to carry specific insurance minimums or appear on a pre-approved list. Before you fall in love with someone’s portfolio, a quick call to your venue coordinator will confirm whether your photographer is eligible to work there. It saves a frustrating conversation later.

Ready to Check Availability for Your Date?

I’ve spent over 30 years photographing weddings, proposals, and meaningful moments across New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. My approach has always been the same: calm guidance, fast turnaround on proofs, and a focus on helping couples feel natural — not posed — from the first look to the last dance.

If you want to see whether I’m available for your date, the easiest thing to do is reach out here. Even a quick inquiry costs nothing and gives you peace of mind while you keep planning.

Before you go: if you’re in the early stages of engagement and still gathering ideas, I’d also recommend exploring wedding proposal ideas — it’s a helpful resource whether you’re recently engaged or still planning the question.

And if you’re beginning the process of getting legally married in New Jersey, the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services has everything you need on marriage license requirements and timing.

Don’t wait until the date is gone.