If you're doing an intimate, which it sounds like you are, you cannot book for sure until 8 months out.
I just was recontacted about my October 24, 2007 wedding and they cannot promise me anything until Feb. 23, 2007. I was penciled in for the date, asked if I was flexible date wise and venue wise. Venue wise I'm not, date wise we'll be there for 7 days, though I'd really love the 24th.
I also asked about booking the MK photo shoot, and she told me we can't book that for sure until our contract is signed, but she added a note with our information.
Prior to that, I had called before a year out and they told me I needed to wait until at least a year out to talk to a consultant.