Wedding Planning & Etiquette

advanced search

Booking a photographer and videographer

Online Users: 1,256 guest(s), 0 user(s). Replies: 5


CSUFgrad08 Posts : 114 Registered: 6/19/08
Booking a photographer and videographer
Posted: Oct 27, 2008 2:21 PM

 Hi ladies! How far in advance should I book my videographer and photographer? FH and I are planning for a 9/4/2010 wedding, but we can't book our church date yet because their caldender for 2010 is not available until Feb. of 2009. So, I think it makes sense that we book our church and venue first then book everything else. What are your suggestions?
<a href="http://www.weddingcountdown.com">
<img border="0" src="http://www.weddingcountdown.com/ticker/3t6jg2328bhvx.png" alt="wedding countdown" />
</a>

southern_california , september_2010 , videographer , photographer
email friend | report thread
Reply


MagicalMomentsP... Posts : 742 Registered: 3/6/06
Re: Booking a photographer and videographer
Posted: Oct 27, 2008 3:31 PM Go to message in response to: CSUFgrad08

Hello,

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding.  This is such an exciting time for you, you've got so many dreams for your perfect day and yet so much to do!  I know it is tempting to want to book your important vendors immediately.  However, it is important to secure either a church or a reception hall (preferably both )  before you book any of your other vendors.  Most photographers/videographers will not treat your inquiries as serious until you've committed to the date by securing your venues.  We've seen too many weddings change dates because the venues were not secured.  In addition, if you are forced to move your date, you could lose your retainers for the other vendors.  In addition, as the venues may not have opened their books for 2010, so too are most photographers.  Mainly because we price our packages one year out.  2010 is currently considered 2 years out and subject to at least one expected price increase.  Typically, the recommended order of booking is in levels. Complete one level before moving onto the next.

1) Church and Reception Hall. 

2) Photographer/Reception Entertainment (DJ or Band)

3) Florist/Videographer (although this can be combined with the photographer at some studios).

Almost every bridal magazine on the shelf provides almost the same order for booking your vendors.  Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.


Howard Kier, Certified Professional Wedding Photographer

Magical Moments Photography


photographer , videographer , wedding_photographer
email friend | report thread
Reply


CSUFgrad08 Posts : 114 Registered: 6/19/08
Re: Booking a photographer and videographer
Posted: Oct 28, 2008 1:12 PM Go to message in response to: MagicalMomentsP...

 Thanks Magical Moments! :) That was a very detailed answer to my question!
<a href="http://www.weddingcountdown.com">
<img border="0" src="http://www.weddingcountdown.com/ticker/3t6jg2328bhvx.png" alt="wedding countdown" />
</a>

email friend | report thread
Reply


TanisJ Posts : 2,673 Registered: 4/25/07
Re: Booking a photographer and videographer
Posted: Oct 28, 2008 1:39 PM Go to message in response to: CSUFgrad08

I agree with Magical Moments. Venue, vendors, then all the hundreds of little details. Although I would add you can do research on your vendors while you are waiting as well as all the other details, as long as you do take into account that pricing can change. My photographer was awesome, and she let us book more than a year in advance, but she honored the pricing given far in advance because she was new to the area. Once we were closer to the date her prices almost doubled so we were fortunate to get her. A lot of vendors will not want to guarantee pricing more than a year out.

photographer , vendors
email friend | report thread
Reply

ispwp Posts : 15 Registered: 9/17/08
Re: Booking a photographer and videographer
Posted: Oct 29, 2008 1:51 AM Go to message in response to: MagicalMomentsP...

Good answer Howard! That's good advice on the order of bookings.

Be aware that different photographers will have different policies. Some photographers don't like to book too far in advance because they are anticipating future pricing changes. However, other photographers are happy to book 2 years or more in advance in order to secure a booking, but if you do that, be sure that you understand the contract and that the price, terms and products you agree to will not change.

Also if you pay a retainer fee for the photographer to book the date, be clear on the policies that dictate when, if, and how much will be refunded if your date changes (and the photographer is not available on your new date). That's true no matter if you book 2 years in advance or 6 months. Good luck!


Joe Milton, ISPWP

International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers

photographer , photographers
email friend | report thread
Reply


miguelmayo Posts : 10 Registered: 2/28/08
Re: Booking a photographer and videographer
Posted: Nov 17, 2008 2:01 PM Go to message in response to: CSUFgrad08

Hi, first you should ask yourself a few questions 1: how important photography is for me?, 2: what style of photography I like (journalist-traditional) 3: do I have a photographer I really like?...How much do I want to "invest" --not spend! in my wedding photography? ---after all these question been answered you should start thinking on meeting some photographer from your area (you can search online), or ask for referral from family members or friend ... once you find the right photographer, just book them on the spot!!! if you wait some one can get it before you do!!

www.miguelmayo.com

Edited by: miguelmayo on Nov 17, 2008 2:01 PM

videographer , september_2010 , photographer , southern_california
email friend | report thread
Reply
RSS

Join

Email

App

App

WIN

Give a Subscription to Brides Magazine as a Gift

Find Local Vendors

From Florists to Photographers...

are you a vendor? Click Here

Find your BRIDES wedding website below

Subscribe to Brides magazine