# When to Book a Wedding Photographer: South Florida Timeline > Most South Florida couples book a wedding photographer 9 to 14 months out. What to do if your date is sooner, what holds it, and what happens after you book. Canonical: https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/blog/when-to-book-a-wedding-photographer/ Markdown twin of the page above, generated for AI agents and answer engines. --- Planning # When to Book a Wedding Photographer: South Florida Timeline Eric Goldstein • October 2026 • South Florida _Image: Couple smiling close together on the beach with a bouquet_ I'm Eric Goldstein, a Boca Raton wedding photographer. Here is when to book one, what happens after you do, and what to do if your date is closer than you'd like. ## The Short Answer Most couples book a wedding photographer 9 to 14 months before the wedding. That gives you a real choice of photographers, time for an engagement session, and no rush on the planning that follows. ## If Your Date Is Within 6 Months Reach out right away. I often have late-season availability that isn't publicly listed, so a quick email with your date and venue is the fastest way to find out. If I'm booked, I'll tell you early. ## What Holds Your Date A signed contract and a retainer. I don't hold dates informally, so until both are received the date stays open to other clients. The retainer is a percentage of your package and is applied to the final balance. It's non-refundable, because it reserves your date and covers the other bookings I turn down. If you need to reschedule, I'll work with you to find a new date at no additional charge, subject to availability. The full terms are in the contract. ## What Happens After You Book - **Soon after booking:** we talk, usually on the phone, about your timeline and what matters most to you. If an engagement session is in your package, we pick the location and date. - **A week or two out:** we lock the schedule, the locations and the shot list, and I coordinate with your planner and venue. - **A few days out:** you send your family shot list and your point people's cell numbers. There's a [printable family shot list](https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/wedding-family-shot-list.pdf) you can use. - **The wedding day:** I show up early and answer texts. - **Within 48 hours:** a sneak peek. - **4 to 6 weeks:** the full gallery, typically 600 to 900 edited images, in a private online gallery that stays active for 12 months. ## Decide These Before You Book You'll want the date and venue settled, a rough idea of the hours you need, and a feel for whether you want video or drone. My guides cover each: [how many hours of coverage you need](https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/blog/how-many-hours-of-wedding-photography/), [what a wedding photographer's price depends on](https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/blog/wedding-photographer-cost-south-florida/), and [the questions to ask before you book](https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/blog/questions-to-ask-a-wedding-photographer/). ## Common Questions ### When should I book a wedding photographer? Most couples book 9 to 14 months before the wedding. If your date is within the next 6 months, reach out right away. I often have late-season availability that isn't publicly listed. ### How do I hold my wedding date with a photographer? With a signed contract and a retainer. I don't hold dates informally, so until both are received the date stays available to other clients. ### Is the wedding photography retainer refundable? Mine isn't. It reserves your date and compensates me for declining other bookings. It's a percentage of your package and is applied to your final balance. ### What if I need to reschedule my wedding? I'll work with you to find a new date at no additional charge, subject to availability. The full cancellation and rescheduling terms are in the contract. ### How long until I get my wedding photos? A sneak peek within 48 hours, and the full gallery in 4 to 6 weeks. The gallery stays active for 12 months, and I can extend it if you ask. ## Planning a South Florida Wedding? Send me your date and venue and I'll tell you if I'm free. [Get in touch here.](https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/#contact) [← Back to Blog](https://www.ericgoldsteinphotography.com/blog/)