So you just got engaged, and you know you want to use your engagement photos for your Save the Dates. The biggest mistake couples make is waiting too long to book their session and ending up in a massive time crunch.


If you want to keep the process completely stress-free, you have to work backward from your wedding date. Here is the exact math for when to schedule your engagement session.


When do Save the Dates actually go out?

Standard wedding etiquette says you should mail your Save the Dates 6 to 8 months before your wedding. If you are having a destination wedding or a holiday weekend wedding, you will want to aim for 9 to 12 months out so your guests have plenty of time to book travel and accommodations.


The Timeline Breakdown

Let's do the math on a standard timeline so you know exactly when to get in front of the camera:


Mailing Date: 8 months before the wedding.


Designing & Printing: It usually takes about 2 weeks to design your cards, order them, and receive the physical prints in the mail.


Gallery Delivery: Depending on the season, photographers typically need 2 to 4 weeks to sort, edit, and deliver your final engagement gallery.


The Buffer: You always want to add a 1 to 2 week buffer just in case we need to reschedule for rain. As we all know, St. Louis weather is notoriously unpredictable!


The Verdict: 9 to 10 months before your wedding

To give yourself plenty of breathing room to receive your photos, pick your favorites, and order your cards without stressing, you should plan to actually take your engagement photos 9 to 10 months before your wedding date.


A Quick Note on Seasons

The only exception to this math is if you are aiming for a specific seasonal vibe. If you are getting married in June but you are absolutely dying for cozy fall engagement photos, you will need to take them 8 months early in October. Always factor in the season you want as the backdrop for your photos when thinking about your timeline.




  • January Weddings
  • Take Photos: March to April
  • Mail Save the Dates: May to July


  • February Weddings
  • Take Photos: April to May
  • Mail Save the Dates: June to August


  • March Weddings
  • Take Photos: May to June
  • Mail Save the Dates: July to September



  • April Weddings
  • Take Photos: June to July
  • Mail Save the Dates: August to October


  • May Weddings
  • Take Photos: July to August
  • Mail Save the Dates: September to November


  • June Weddings
  • Take Photos: August to September
  • Mail Save the Dates: October to December


  • July Weddings
  • Take Photos: September to October
  • Mail Save the Dates: November to January


  • August Weddings
  • Take Photos: October to November
  • Mail Save the Dates: December to February


  • September Weddings
  • Take Photos: November to December
  • Mail Save the Dates: January to March


  • October Weddings
  • Take Photos: December to January
  • Mail Save the Dates: February to April


  • November Weddings
  • Take Photos: January to February
  • Mail Save the Dates: March to May


  • December Weddings
  • Take Photos: February to March
  • Mail Save the Dates: April to June


Note: For destination weddings or holiday weekends, bump this entire timeline up by two full months to give guests extra time to book travel.