When should you book? | Charlotte NC Wedding Photographer

I realize I haven’t really done a personal post in awhile, so I figured I’d end this week with one!
I recently went out with a friend who is engaged. She had contacted me this past weekend to see when I’d be free to get together, and I suggested that while she’s in town that maybe she visit The Bride’s Choice to look for her dress. Well, last night she informed me that she found two dresses she was in love with. The problem was choosing and the fact that she isn’t really planning to get married til 2016.
“I really don’t know when I should start booking things either. I didn’t want to get a dress right away but at the same time I’m excited! When do your clients usually book?”
I believe everyone does things differently, but for me, I will be more than happy to book clients a year to a year and a half in advance. Not only will they get the best deals booking early, but they also get first dibs on their date. 
Many photographers have expressed some concerns with the growing amount of couples waiting just a few months out before booking their vendors, and many times those vendors are booked. As a photographer, I will say I see how quickly we all book up, especially during certain prime months, so by waiting so late in the game, you may run out of your top choices on vendors.

I know that the wedding websites may tell you to book 4 months out on certain vendors, but if there are vendors you truly want to work with, I’d highly suggest reaching out to them after you are engaged and have a date set to get the ball rolling. If they happen to be booked up, they usually have others they can refer you to that have a similar style!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
xoxo,

{ Charlotte NC Wedding Photographer + Charlotte NC Boudoir Photographer Casey Hendrickson Photography }