When to Book Your Wedding Videographer (And Why Earlier is Better)

Booking early isn't just about securing a date. It comes with real benefits:

1. You get your first choice

When you book early, you're choosing from all available vendors instead of whoever happens to be left. This is especially important if you've found a videographer whose style resonates with you.

2. Popular dates book fast

Saturdays in October? Fall foliage weekends in the mountains? Spring garden weddings? These dates often book 12+ months in advance. If you're planning a wedding during peak season (April-June, September-November), every week you wait reduces your options.

3. Less stress, more excitement

There's something freeing about crossing "book videographer" off your list early. Instead of scrambling to find someone available, you can focus on the fun parts of wedding planning knowing your film is handled.

4. Better communication and planning

When you book early, there's more time to build a relationship with your videographer. More time for calls, questions, and collaboration on your timeline. This usually results in a better experience and a better film.

We hate having to turn couples away, but it happens regularly, especially for fall weddings and popular dates. Here's what waiting too long can mean:

• Your preferred videographer is already booked
• You're left choosing from whoever is available, not who fits your style
• You may have to compromise on experience level or quality
• Rush decisions lead to less certainty about your choice
• In some cases, you might not find anyone at all

We've had couples reach out 3-4 months before their wedding, devastated that they waited and now can't find a videographer they love. It's heartbreaking, and it's avoidable.

This is incredibly common. Many couples aren't sure if wedding videography is worth the investment, especially early in the planning process. Here's our honest take:

Talk to a few videographers anyway. Most of us offer free consultations and are happy to answer questions without any pressure. You might be surprised at how affordable packages can be, or how different cinematic wedding films are from what you expected.

Consider the regret factor. We've never met a couple who regretted having a wedding film. We've met many who regretted not having one.

You can always decide not to book. But you can't book someone who's no longer available. If there's even a chance you want video, start the conversation early.

Before you reach out to videographers, it helps to have a few things figured out:

• Your date and venue - Most videographers need these to check availability
• A rough budget range - This helps narrow down who's within reach
• What style resonates with you - Watch a few wedding films and notice what you like
• What's most important to you - Is it the ceremony? The speeches? The dancing?

You don't need every detail figured out. A good videographer will help guide you through the rest.

When you're ready to inquire, here are some questions worth asking:

• Are you available on our date?
• What packages do you offer and what's included?
• What's your filming style and approach?
• How many weddings have you filmed?
• What's the typical turnaround time for the final film?
• Do you work with a second shooter/videographer?
• Can we see a few full wedding films (not just highlight reels)?

The answers to these questions will help you understand if a videographer is the right fit, beyond just liking their portfolio.

If you're engaged and have your date, now is the perfect time to reach out. Even if you're still in the early stages of planning, a quick conversation can help you understand your options and make an informed decision.

At Martin Summit Media, we film a limited number of weddings each year so we can give every couple our full attention. We'd love to hear about your plans and see if we're a good fit.

No pressure. No obligation. Just a real conversation about your day and what matters to you.