2008 weddings - are you booking yet?

[jessiper]

So, I'm starting to get bookings for summer of 2008, which is great, but I've been planning on raising my prices a bit w/in the next month or two, and it would be nice to book 2008 clients at the new rate. What are you guys and gals doing about this? Have you started accepting clients for next summer (US summer)? I feel I can be a bit pickier next year considering how many people have contacted me about the same dates for this summer. Maybe I should just hurry and raise my prices. Basically, what I'm asking is, how far in advance do you accept bookings? Thanks! :D

[tim]

Had quite a few inquiries, and i've got a couple of bookings. People here seem to be getting into this now. I'll accept bookings for next summer, up to April I guess, but probably not further out.

[lil_miss]

Yeah we've had a couple of enquiries - have one a month in Jan, Feb & March already booked - and have met with a bride for an April wedding... But like Tim - here in NZ our summer and wedding season is from Dec - March ish...

Have got 5 or 6 more before the end of this year too :)

[Banbert]

We dont have any limit on how far people can book in advance and our furthest forward date atm is October 2008 ! They got themselves a right bargain because we were incredibly cheap to start with and we honour whatever our price is at the time of booking (i dont think it would be fair to do it any other way) and by the time we come to shoot their wedding the price wont resemble anything like what they booked us at, thats just their good fortune in booking so early though and having faith in us in doing so.

Think we have about 7 or 8 bookings already for next year which given how few weddings we have actually shot so far were very pleased with so we just raised our prices a little (although were still cheap) and knocked off our Adwords spend almost completely. In a few more months when we have shot some more weddings (first one of the year this coming weekend :)) we will nudge our prices up a bit again and then see how our enquiries go.

Even without the adwords spend were still getting a few enquiries because were top of page 1 on google for some keyword searches so business will still hopefully trickle in.

Those first few enquiries after you nudge your prices up are very reassuring arent they ! :)

[samnz]

3 in Jan 08 - 2 in Feb 08. I'm keeping March free for a family wedding as well as a few other bits and pieces. April is when I'll start tapering off for 'the season'. August 08 is my farthest booking so far.

From Sept to Dec '07 I have 7 weddings booked so hopefully a few goodies for me under the tree.;)

[Wazza]

These Kiwi photographers are really gearing up for a lot of weddings. :p

[samnz]

I know this kiwi photographer might be looking at one more season before taking a wee break from weddings. "Might take a walk on the wild-life side" - not sure yet...

[kampphoto]

I've got 10 booked for 2008 and about 4 in the works as of today. They range from March - October

[jessiper]

Good to know. I'm just starting into the spring/summer weddings, so bookings for summer 2008 are well over a year away. I don't want to turn anyone down, just curious to see what everyone else is doing. Thanks! :)

[picturecrazy]

Have none yet. I don't accept bookings more than about 14 months in advance. Otherwise, cancellation and date change rates seem to go up by a lot.

[jessiper]

Have none yet. I don't accept bookings more than about 14 months in advance. Otherwise, cancellation and date change rates seem to go up by a lot.

Good point! Do you just tell them, "I'm sorry, I don't book more than 14 months out"? Thanks!

[picturecrazy]

Good point! Do you just tell them, "I'm sorry, I don't book more than 14 months out"? Thanks!

yup. I tell them, get back to me in May (or whatever month is 14 away) and we'll work something out. I also tell them exactly what I said, cancellation and date changes are more common past 14 months. Also, if they book TOO far in advance and your prices go up from then, you've lost a bit.

[mizuno]

I'm shooting my last wedding for this season on Saturday.

I have 5 booked for next summer already with another 10-20 enquiries pending.

I'm really hoping to hit 20 bookings for next season.

[71kgb]

I'm just starting out the the 'wedding photography for money' business and have just taken my first 'real' (i.e. paid proper money) booking for May 2008 which I think is great.

I've written abusiness plan though for April 2009 to March 2010 (our tax year in UK) and would put my prices up for April each year if I choose to. (I too hope to hit a minimum of 20 weddings in that 12 month period).

Even if a wedding was booked (deposit and booking form received) on March 31st, I'd honour the current price I was advertising - even if they were booking two years ahead (I can dream - but I know some people who are booked that far in advance).

Hope this helps.

[LeesaB]

We have one so far for 2008, I have a goal of 13-20 next year...this year we only had 5 due to my daughters pregnancy. We took a few months off to give her time to regroup....

We will also do that bridal show again in January that will get us a few bookings.., so we will see how it goes