When to Book Your Wedding Photographer in Ontario: A Complete Guide

When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer in Southern Ontario?

Hey there, lovebirds! If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re deep in wedding planning mode (or, let’s be real, scrolling for inspiration while avoiding your to-do list, no judgment!). At some point, you’ve probably wondered: When should we book our wedding photographer? You’re going to find a lot of resources out there with all kinds of different tips.

Here’s the good news, as an ACTUAL wedding photographer here in Southern Ontario, I’ve got answers based on loads of experience! Booking your photographer can feel like refreshing Ticketmaster for Eras Tour tickets but I promise, it doesn’t need to be that hard. Okay, let’s dig in.

Peak Season Weddings (May–October): Book 12 to 18 Months Ahead

If your wedding falls in peak season – here in Ontario that’s May through October – you’ll want look into booking your photographer 12 to 18 months in advance. That might sound early, but trust me, photographers (especially the ones whose work makes your heart skip a beat) get scooped up fast, especially for prime Saturdays.

Planning a fall wedding in Muskoka? A summer celebration in Prince Edward County? A chic city affair in Toronto? Those dates are prime real estate, and photographers’ calendars can fill up quickly.

Off-Peak Weddings & Weekday Celebrations: Book 6 to 12 Months Ahead

If you’re tying the knot in the winter or on a weekday, you’ll probably have a bit more flexibility. 6 to 12 months in advance should be enough time to secure your dream photographer. That said, if you already know who you want (hi, nice to meet you!), don’t wait too long to reach out.

Last-Minute Weddings: Is It Too Late?

First of all—exciting! Second, don’t stress. Some of my very favourite wedding clients were able to book their photographer (me) for weddings in Ontario less than 6 months in advance. While we all have very limited weekends every year, many of us do keep some flexibility in our schedules for last minute additions. My best advice? Reach out ASAP. You never know until you ask! I can’t speak for other photographers, but I have a wonderful network of colleagues I can refer you to if I happen to be unavailable.

Why Should You Book Early?

1. Peace of Mind – Once your photographer is locked in, you can relax knowing you’ve got someone you trust to capture your day beautifully.
2. Better Engagement Session Timing – Booking early means we can schedule your engagement session in the perfect season (hello, cherry blossoms or golden autumn leaves!).
3. More Planning Time – The earlier we connect, the more time you have to decide which moments you want to add or remove from your wedding day for maximum photo impact.

Ready to Lock in Your Wedding Photographer?

If you’re getting married in Southern Ontario and want a photographer who captures your day in a candid, documentary-style way (with a little editorial magic), let’s chat! Reach out to see if your date is available – because just like a dreamy wedding venue or the best-ever taco truck, a great photographer gets booked fast.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s make it happen!

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Incase you missed it, I’m a wedding photographer here in the GTA! If you’re looking for a candid wedding photographer (with a little editorial magic) who values those REAL moments, Get in touch about Toronto weddings herehttps://jennifervansonphoto.com/