Congratulations!!  You’re engaged (or about to be!), and all of the questions have started rolling in!  When will you get married?  Where?  Can I be in your wedding?  Okay, just kidding about that last one.  But seriously, I don’t think I’m being terribly biased when I say: after that ring is on your finger, you should choose your date, venue and photographer- in that order.  Let me explain…

Often you’ll need the freedom to flex on your date a little bit with your dream venue in case they don’t have availability.  But once you have lined up your date and venue, begin contacting your top choice photographer right away!  Most other wedding vendors can book multiple weddings in one day but generally your photographer can not.  Some photographers don’t even book more than one wedding in a weekend!  Generally my couples book me 8-12 months out but I’ve also booked weddings as close as 3 months and as far as 23 months!  April-June and September-November are the busiest months for Virginia photographers because the weather is perfect and fairly predictable during those months.  It just depends on what is available, but are you getting the picture?  Don’t wait!

That being said, it is SO important to make sure you’re a good fit!  Your photographer is the one vendor that gets, how shall I put this, up close and personal with you!  They’ll be the one constant throughout the day from your dressing room to your car at the end of your grand exit… see what I mean?  It’s important that you like each other!  You need to trust that your photographer will be capturing not just the main events but the moments you’ll inevitably miss.  Your photographs help you relive your day after it’s all said and done.  Ultimately, what a photographer captures is what will shape your memories.  Make sure you “click” with the person in charge of your memories!

Most photographers have a “Get to Know You” form of some sorts either on their website or in their booking process.  Fill out that form with every last detail they request!  This will only help them serve you better!

Lastly, most photographers require a signed contract and retainer in order to reserve your date.  This is because once they block off your date they start turning away other clients!  It’s so important to know that your date is not guaranteed until both of those pieces have been received.

Once you’re signed, sealed and delivered it’s time to pop the champagne and celebrate!  And book your engagement session.  More on that next week!!