Why You Need to Book Your Elopement Photographer Early on in the Wedding Planning Process
Why You Need to Book Your Elopement Photographer Early on in the Wedding Planning Process
For most of the couples I work with, the months immediately following their engagement are filled with big questions and big decisions… Where, exactly, do we want to get married? What is a good time of year to get married in ___________? Should we invite anyone, or just keep it totally intimate? What about vendors? Will they even fly to ___________? Are they free then? How much will they cost? It can be mind-boggling!
What to Decide First, and in What Order, in the Planning Process
The truth is, there are some key decisions that you and your partner will want to prioritize, while other questions and curiosities can be put off until later. When you are eloping, you will want to decide on a general destination or location you are interested in, choose a time of year that you are aiming for, and then fairly immediately reach out to your favorite photographer(s) to see if they are available.
For couples planning a more customary wedding, the guidance is typically to book a photographer 6-9 months in advance of your ‘I-do’ date. For those who plan to elope, the time frame is different, and for good reason. Elopement photographers such as myself are often traveling to far-flung locales around the globe (Patagonia, Tulum, Alaska, Glacier, etc.), working on publicly-owned lands (for which permits are needed and sometimes hard to obtain) or in foreign countries (where paperwork and documentation can be time-consuming to arrange). Even weather and time of year can be significant factors in the planning process (i.e. your dream destination might be Argentina, but you are only free to marry in July– which is the heart of winter there). The bottom line is: eloping entails lots of logistics and thus lots of planning (like any wedding), so you really need to secure your favorite photographer 9 months to one year in advance of your big date.
Key Factors to Consider When Securing Your Elopement Photographer in 2025-2026
Wherever you are in the planning process— whether you are just starting to dream about planning an elopement as opposed to a more customary wedding, or you already have a clear idea of what you want your small wedding to look and feel like… I am here for you. In 2025, I am seeing couples acting and planning with intentionality and thoughtfulness, adapting with agility to the moment we are in. If your hope is to get married in 2025 or 2026, you may want to start working out the details a little bit earlier than expected, as certain aspects of the wedding industry may be affected by current events and shifts. If your hope is to get married in the wild, perhaps on publicly-owned lands like a national park here in the U.S., you will want to get started sooner rather than later, as staffing and budget cuts may impact all of the following interrelated issues:
Facility closures (i.e. lack of availability/access to certain lands and/or campgrounds)
Lack of visitor services, generally speaking
Harder-to-access and pricier permits (such as those for ‘special use’ like weddings)
I don’t say these things to sound alarmist. The most important thing to remember is that you are creating something everlasting and true. At the end of the day, your big day is all going to work out beautifully, because it is founded upon and rooted deeply in LOVE. I have witnessed it from behind the lens of my camera year after year after year. I just want all of my couples to have the wedding of their dreams, and that may take a little more forethought at this moment. For these reasons, you may want to consider booking your elopement photographer (and any other vendors you plan to use), well before your 2025 or 2026 wedding date.
I know it may seem daunting right now– all the decisions, big and small, that you need to make. I get it. But once a few of the truly key factors have been locked in, you can relax and just luxuriate in your happy engagement.
I am here to help navigate this whole process with you! Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your questions and needs. I look forward to connecting and helping you plan the perfect elopement.
Ready to Celebrate Your Day Your Way?
Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Realm Studios)
Find out how I can help make that happen!
If you’re ready to get the ball rolling to secure your photographer, that’s great!
You can do that by filling out the form below, by emailing me directly at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling/texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!
