I think your engagement session is one of the best and sweetest parts of engagement. Now, I’m not just saying that as a photographer. When I was engaged, I remember LOVING our engagement session because it made it all feel so REAL! I was able to get all dressed up, and I basically had a date with Hayden while our photographer captured photos. It was a dream, and I absolutely loved it – I’m sure you will too!

One question I often get is “when should I book my engagement session” or “how far out should I plan for my engagement session?” In the end, it’s really what works best for YOU! We had ours taken only weeks after getting engaged, but I’ve known brides who were so busy that they weren’t able to get them until a week before the big day. Either way, take a look a few suggestions below.

1. Consider the time of year for your wedding
I normally suggest to book your e-sesh in a season different from your wedding. If you’re an HNBride, you’ll get a TON of pictures back from your big day. If you plan your e-sesh during a different time of the year, it will add variety to the pictures you’ll own. This way, your home will fun of images from different environments and seasons, and when you’re looking for a picture to hang on your wall, it will give you a bigger variety!

2. Consider when you were engaged
Hayden and I got engaged the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was right at the beginning of Christmastime and right at the end of fall. We planned for a short engagement, 6 months. I knew within a month of being engaged the grass would be completely dead, and there would be no leaves on the trees. So, we contacted our photographer and asked if she had any openings in the next few weeks. Luckily, she did and we were able to have a little bit of greenery in our photographs!

3. PARTIES!!
Another reason why I wanted our engagement pictures early was because I wanted to be able to have the pictures displayed at our bridal showers. This is often a good way to plan when to have your pictures taken. If you know when your bridal shower will be make sure you give your photographer around a month to get the pictures back to you so you can order and print them for the party.

EXTRA: 
I often hear from brides who don’t think they want and engagement session because it won’t be fun, it will be uncomfortable, or there is no time. While I understand the reasoning behind all of these answers, I fully believe that this is not only a great opportunity for you to get to know your photographer, but for you to bond with your fiancé. This is such a fun and intimate occasion, and I so hope that you’ll partake in it.

xoxo!