If this phrase about wedding planning filled you with equal amount of excitement and overwhelm keep reading…
I’m Clarissa, an Ontario wedding photographer whose here to help you figure out how to get the most out of your wedding photography and timeline! This blog is made for you if you need help beginning your wedding planning process and hoping to make it run smoothly!
After photographing 150 weddings and now planning my own, I’ve seen firsthand how a little organization can go a long way in keeping your day stress free!
The first thing to do when planning is to prioritize what matters most to you as a couple:
- is it a specific venue?
- is it a dream photographer (hello!)
- is it unbelievable catering?
- is it a stunning backdrop to the ceremony?
Whatever it is, get clear on what it is you want most! Now that you’ve prioritized what matters most, let’s talk timeline for sourcing vendors!
Now, this can fluctuate, but most often couples will look to source these 3-4 big vendors first:
- venue
- photographer / videographer and/or wedding content creator (check out my team here)
- catering
- HMUA
In order to avoid disappointment, I recommend booking the following vendors somewhat along this timeline:
Venue
If you are booking a popular venue in peak months (ie. May/June-Sept/Oct here in the great white north) I recommend booking 12-18 months, even sometimes 24 months, in advance depending on how in-demand that venue is.
Photographer
If you are booking for a wedding in peak months (ie. June-Oct) I recommend booking 12-18 months in advance if you’re really interested in a specific photographer and they’re already established. There’s only one of us that can be present during a wedding day! Same goes for videographers and wedding content creators – even working within a team, there is only one individual available per date so if there is someone specific you have in mind, don’t wait to inquire with them!
Catering
6-12 months in advance is best, essentially a good rule of thumb is after you’ve booked your venue. Some venues even have in-house catering which means this won’t be a concern for you and you can move on to your next priority item!
Hair and Makeup Artist
Similarly to photographers/videographers/content creators, there’s only one of them who can be present in a place on a specific day meaning that securing who you want most can mean booking 9-12 months in advance! You want to feel your most beautiful on your wedding day, and being confident in your hair and makeup team can help with this!
Found this helpful? Stay tuned for how to plan your day-of timeline (a service I include with all my packages)
Just in the starting stages of your planning? Check out my Instagram for more tips and inspo
Looking for Ontario wedding venues I personally recommend? See my Venue Highlight Series
Ready to chat to a photographer? Learn more about my wedding packages here OR book an inquiry call here
