You get engaged.
You start planning.
And suddenly everyone is telling you something different about what you're supposed to book first.
Venue.
Photographer.
Planner.
Catering.
DJ.
Florist.
Videographer.
It's a lot.
So where does wedding photography actually belong?
For most couples, my recommendation is pretty simple:
Choose your wedding date and venue first—then start talking to photographers almost immediately afterward.
But there are a few exceptions.
And if photography is one of the most important parts of your wedding, I wouldn't wait until you're halfway through planning before beginning your search.
Here's how I'd approach it.
Why the Venue Usually Comes First
Your photographer needs to know one incredibly important thing before you can officially book:
Your wedding date.
Your venue usually determines that.
You might go into planning thinking:
October 10th.
Then your favorite venue tells you they only have:
October 3rd or October 24th.
Now everything changes.
That's why it generally makes sense to secure your venue before signing a photography contract.
Once the venue is booked, you have:
A confirmed date
A confirmed location
A better idea of your timeline
A better idea of your wedding style
A better idea of your budget
Then you can confidently book your other major vendors.
But You Can Start Looking for Photographers Before the Venue Is Booked
This is the distinction I think couples sometimes miss.
Looking and booking aren't the same thing.
You don't need to wait until the venue contract is signed before researching photographers.
Actually, I'd encourage you not to.
Start looking early.
Save photographers whose work you love.
Look through:
Websites
Complete galleries
Reviews
Wedding films
Instagram
Blog posts
Figure out what style you're drawn toward.
Then, once the date is official, you're ready to start contacting people.
What If Photography Is One of Your Top Priorities?
This is where I'd handle things slightly differently.
Maybe you've followed a particular photographer for years.
Maybe photography is one of the two or three things you care about most.
Maybe you're flexible about the venue but absolutely want a particular person documenting the wedding.
In that situation?
Talk to the photographer before finalizing the date.
You don't necessarily need to book them first.
But ask about availability.
Here's What That Might Look Like
Let's say your venue gives you three available Saturdays:
September 12
September 19
October 3
And there's a photographer you absolutely want.
Before signing the venue contract, you can simply ask:
“We're considering these three dates. Are you available for any of them?”
If they're available for all three?
Great.
Choose whichever date you want.
If they're only available September 19?
Now you have useful information before committing.
This Works With Other Priority Vendors Too
The same idea applies if you have a:
Planner you absolutely want
Band you love
Specific photographer
Specific videographer
If one vendor matters significantly more to you than others, check availability while you're choosing the date.
Your wedding doesn't have to follow a rigid booking order.
Priorities matter.
When Should You Start Looking for a Wedding Photographer?
Earlier than you think.
You don't have to contact photographers the day after getting engaged.
But once you're seriously looking at venues and dates, there's no reason you can't start researching.
That gives you time to understand:
Photography styles
Pricing
Packages
Experience
Personality
Editing
Deliverables
without feeling pressured to make a decision in 48 hours.
Popular Dates Can Create a Problem
Wedding photographers can only photograph a limited number of weddings.
A venue may have several ceremony spaces or host multiple events across a weekend.
A photographer can't be at two weddings at the same time.
Once a date is booked, it's booked.
That's especially relevant for popular:
Spring Saturdays
Fall Saturdays
Holiday weekends
Highly desirable calendar dates
If you have a specific photographer in mind, waiting can matter.
Chattanooga Fall Weddings Are a Good Example
Fall is incredibly popular around Chattanooga.
And it's easy to understand why.
You get:
Cooler temperatures
Mountain scenery
Changing leaves
Comfortable outdoor ceremonies
That means photographers, venues and other vendors can receive multiple inquiries for the same Saturdays.
If you're planning a fall Chattanooga wedding, I wouldn't make photography one of the last vendors you contact.
Nashville Can Be Even More Competitive
Nashville has an enormous wedding market.
There are also a lot of photographers.
But if you want a specific photographer whose style and personality you love, having hundreds of other photographers in the city doesn't solve the availability problem.
You're not really asking:
“Is there a photographer available?”
You're asking:
“Is the photographer we want available?”
Those are very different questions.
Should You Book a Photographer Before the Venue?
Usually, I wouldn't sign a photography contract without a confirmed date.
There are exceptions, but it can create unnecessary complications.
The venue affects:
Date
Location
Travel
Coverage
Timeline
Logistics
I'd rather know those details.
But again:
Contacting a photographer before booking the venue can absolutely make sense.
Especially if you're deciding among several possible dates.
What If You Already Found Your Dream Photographer?
Reach out.
You don't need to wait.
Tell them exactly where you are in the process.
For example:
“We're currently touring venues around Chattanooga and are considering September or October 2027. We love your work and wanted to find out what your availability looks like before choosing our date.”
That's a completely reasonable inquiry.
What If You Already Booked the Venue?
Perfect.
Now photography should probably move pretty high on your list.
At this point, you know:
Where.
When.
Now start figuring out:
Who.
Don't Book the First Photographer Who Is Available
Availability is important.
Fit matters more.
Look at complete galleries.
Don't only look at Instagram.
Ask yourself:
Do we like the editing?
Do people look comfortable?
Are candid moments strong?
Are family photos good?
Can they photograph dark receptions?
Does the work stay consistent throughout the day?
Do we like how this person communicates?
You aren't just filling a vendor slot.
Don't Compare Photographers Only by Hours
This happens frequently.
Photographer A:
8 hours — $X
Photographer B:
8 hours — $Y
Therefore Photographer A is cheaper.
But what's actually included?
Maybe one collection includes:
Engagement session
Second photographer
Album
More experienced lead photographer
Planning assistance
Different deliverables
Hours matter.
They're not the entire product.
Photography Style Should Be Decided Before Price Shopping
You don't need to know the technical terminology.
But you should have some idea of what you like.
Maybe you prefer:
Documentary
Editorial
True-to-color
Bright and airy
Dark and moody
Traditional
Candid
Find photographers whose existing work looks like what you want.
Don't book someone and ask them to become a completely different photographer.
What About Videography?
I wouldn't leave that until the end either if video matters to you.
Videographers face the same limitation:
One team can't film every wedding on the same Saturday.
If you know you want both photography and video, you can research them simultaneously.
Should You Book Photography and Videography Together?
That's another option.
Some companies—including Spencer Purcell Films—provide both wedding photography and videography.
That can simplify:
Communication
Contracts
Payments
Timeline planning
Photo/video coordination
But I wouldn't choose a combined company simply because it's convenient.
Make sure you genuinely like both portfolios.
Your photographer should be excellent.
Your videographer should be excellent.
Where Should Photography Fall in the Wedding Vendor Booking Order?
There's no universal order.
But a common progression might look something like:
Venue/date
↓
Planner, if using one
↓
Photography + videography
↓
Other major vendors
The exact order changes based on your priorities.
If your favorite band matters more than flowers?
Book the band first.
If photography is one of the most important things to you?
Move photography up.
What If Your Wedding Is Less Than a Year Away?
Don't panic.
Start contacting photographers.
You may have fewer options, but that doesn't mean great photographers won't be available.
Cancellations happen.
Some dates simply don't book.
Friday and Sunday weddings can have more availability.
Weekday weddings can open even more possibilities.
Ask.
What If Your Wedding Is Only a Few Months Away?
Same answer.
Start asking now.
Don't assume everyone is unavailable.
You might be surprised.
I'd rather receive an inquiry for a wedding three months away and tell you whether I'm available than have you never reach out because you assumed I wasn't.
Should You Wait Until You Know Your Exact Timeline?
No.
You don't need to know:
3:37 PM — Wedding party portraits
before hiring a photographer.
That's something we can help you build later.
When booking, I mainly need the big picture:
Date
Venue
Approximate coverage needs
What matters to you
The detailed timeline comes later.
Should You Wait Until You Know Your Guest Count?
Usually not.
An approximate number is useful.
But photography doesn't need to wait until every RSVP arrives.
You can book while the rest of the wedding is still taking shape.
Should You Wait Until You Know Your Colors, Flowers or Décor?
Definitely not.
Those details have almost nothing to do with whether your photographer is available.
Book the people first.
Décor decisions can come later.
The Biggest Mistake Is Waiting Because You Think You Need Everything Figured Out
You don't.
I talk to couples at all different stages.
Some already know:
Venue
Planner
Ceremony time
Wedding party
Colors
Guest count
Others know:
“We're getting married at this venue on this date.”
That's enough to start the conversation.
My Recommendation
For most couples, I'd use this order:
1. Start researching venues and photographers around the same time.
You don't need to contact everyone yet.
Just learn what you like.
2. Narrow your venue options and possible dates.
Now you know what you're realistically considering.
3. If you have a photographer you absolutely want, check availability.
Do this before signing the venue contract if you have several date options.
4. Secure the venue and wedding date.
Now the wedding officially has a time and place.
5. Contact your favorite photographers immediately.
Don't wait six months just because the wedding feels far away.
6. Compare complete work, experience, personality and collections.
Don't make the decision based only on price.
7. Sign the contract and pay the required retainer.
At that point, your photographer is officially secured.
Then we can start planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you book your wedding venue or photographer first?
For most couples, the venue comes first because it establishes the wedding date and location. However, if you have a specific photographer you strongly want, it can be smart to check their availability while deciding among possible venue dates.
Can I contact a wedding photographer before I have a venue?
Absolutely. You can begin researching and contacting photographers before the venue is finalized. Just be clear that your date or location isn't confirmed yet.
How far in advance should you book a wedding photographer?
Popular photographers and popular wedding dates can book well in advance, particularly spring and fall Saturdays. Once your venue and date are confirmed, it's generally smart to begin contacting photographers rather than waiting until later in the planning process.
What if my favorite photographer isn't available on my wedding date?
Ask whether they have an associate photographer or someone they recommend. If photography is extremely important and your venue date isn't finalized yet, checking availability before committing to a date can help prevent this situation.
Do I need my wedding timeline before booking a photographer?
No. Your photographer can help develop the detailed photography timeline later. A confirmed date, venue and general idea of your coverage needs are usually enough to begin.
Should I book wedding photography and videography at the same time?
If you know you want both, researching them at the same time can make sense. Availability for both services can become limited on popular dates, and some companies offer coordinated photography and videography coverage.
Is it too late to book a photographer if my wedding is only a few months away?
Not necessarily. Availability may be more limited, but photographers can still have open dates. It's always worth reaching out rather than assuming someone is unavailable.
The Venue Gives Your Wedding a Place. Your Photographer Preserves What Happens There.
For most couples, I'd book the venue first.
But I wouldn't wait long afterward to start talking to photographers.
And if you've already found a photographer whose work you absolutely love?
Ask about their availability before you lock yourself into a date.
It's a simple email that can save you from finding out later that the person you wanted was already booked.
At Spencer Purcell Films, I provide wedding photography, videography, and combined photo + video coverage for couples throughout Chattanooga, Nashville and Tennessee.
You don't need your entire wedding planned before reaching out.
If you have a venue and date—or you're currently choosing between a few dates—that's enough to start the conversation.
Have your wedding date?
📅 Check photography and videography availability.
📖 Request complete photography, videography, and combined photo + video collections.
📸 Ask to see complete wedding galleries and films.
📞 Schedule a complimentary consultation to talk through your venue, priorities and coverage needs.
Popular spring and fall dates can book well in advance, so if photography or videography is one of your priorities, there's no advantage to waiting once you know your date.
👉 Contact Spencer Purcell Films today to check your wedding date.