The Wedding Guide
JasminCPhoto
Welcome to JasminCPhoto!
I cannot possibly tell you how excited I am that you made your way here, and how excited I am to be the one documenting the biggest day of your life!
This guide is made up of two main parts: The Wedding Day and The Experience. It's all the details I can tell you about weddings, photography, and working with me!
Photography is far more than just showing up with a camera on wedding day and hoping for the best. I take your experience with me, the actual moments of your wedding, and the photos I create for you VERY seriously!
You ready to do this thing? Let’s dive in!
As a photographer, I’ve been so blessed to be a key part of so many weddings over the years! Not only did I attend them, but I learned and experienced each one. As your friend, here’s the most honest thing I could tell you after all that experience: the quality of a photograph is showcased by two things:
(1) the photographer, and (2) what is being photographed.
Let me explain: The photos with stunning lighting, not only had an incredible photographer to catch that lighting, but the actual stunning lighting was probably there. Photos with breathtaking backgrounds were likely shot in breathtaking locations. Relaxed, authentic photographs were likely shot at relaxed or authentic moments. (And don’t worry, this has NOTHING to do with budget, faking something, etc...)
Now, as your photographer, it's my job to create amazing photos no matter what! I'll make anything work! It's my job to make the moment look even more special, so when you get your sneak peeks the next day, you relive it all over again!
From my experience with shooting weddings, here’s everything I’ve learned, everything that I can promise you works well and doesn’t, the things that make it hard and the things that make it easy, what to expect while working with me, and everything in-between!
The Wedding Day
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The Wedding Day 〰️
Here's all my creative advice for your special day...
Let's start at The beginning of your day. it’s one of the most special moments of the entire wedding day.
Getting ready photos are always some of my favorites. Some people skip them to cut down on time, but I would not recommend skipping!
The beginning of your day, while you get your makeup done, your hair done, your dress on, your suit on, etc… it’s so special and creates the most stunning photographs with your closest friends and your family.
Getting Ready
Est. Time: 1 Hour - 1.5 Hours
The start of the day
Wedding days often start slow, clunky, and a bit off schedule. So give yourself time to let that happen without stressful time constraints! If you can, try to have a getting-ready space and time set aside for each group beforehand. This can sometimes be a point of conflict for wedding parties when no one knows exactly where and when they are supposed to be getting ready. Setting those expectations beforehand is so helpful!
Choosing a space
Try to choose a getting ready space that has as much natural light (windows) as possible, is uncluttered, and has bright and neutral (white is best) walls! This will ensure that elegant, bright, bridal look! So as an example: try a naturally lit master bedroom instead of a cluttered basement. Or, ask your venue if they provide you with an official bridal suite, at least for the girls! As much as possible, stay away from rooms with no windows, fluorescent lighting, or small spaces. The cleaner the space is, the more YOU will stand out in your photos!
Brides, are you thinking of doing a first look with your bridesmaids? DO IT! It’s so worth it. Even if it’s just them seeing you in your dress for the first time. They can leave the room while you get your dress zipped up (by your mom or MOH, maybe?), and then we’ll call them in and I’ll capture their reactions!
Thinking of doing a first look with your dad or mom? ALSO DO IT! These are the photos that always make me emotional the most. And if you have a parent (or a sibling, friend, mentor) that is extra special to you, do a first look with them! It will mean the world to them!
The pre-first looks
The Details
Est. Time: 15 Min.
When I arrive, the first thing I will often ask for is your details so I can take detail shots! I try to make sure that this part is not rushed, because even though these might not be the most important photos of the day, they are still meaningful!
If you wouldn’t mind, please prepare all your details you’d like photographed, and keep them prepared in one designated spot or box! This creates a seamless start to the day, instead of trying to track down each detail! These details can include:
• Both wedding bands, and engagement ring.
• Wedding bouquet.
• Official wedding invitation.
• Both pairs of shoes.
• Groom’s tie, socks, belt, etc…
• Wedding Dress/Veil
• Anything else for desired photographs.
Prepare the Details
The First Look & Romantics
Est. Time: 1 Hour - 2 Hours
"First Look" means taking a special time to see your partner for the first time all alone (and I’ll be there to photograph it!). This moment usually flows directly into "The Romantics" which are the photos of you and your love.
Whether or not you do a First Look is up to you! If you'd like one, I will walk you through this process on wedding day! I will admit, First Looks create a much easier flow of the day to have your photos before the ceremony as opposed to after the ceremony and before the reception. On top of that, many brides and grooms are immediately less stressed when they finally see their partner instead of waiting until the ceremony. But it is totally up to you!
Best of both: if you want to wait to see your partner when they walk down the aisle, try a blind first look! I'll bring both of you together while wearing a blindfold or just touching hands.
Personal Tip: Write your partner a sweet note and/or get them a gift, and then give it to them at your first look! If it’s a note, bring it, and then read it aloud to them! Or, some couples read their vows aloud to each other at their first look! It’s always so sweet to bring something to exchange or read to each other during this moment, and it creates truly meaningful photos.
The Bridal Party
Est. Time: 30 Min.
For bridal party photos, don't forget to take it all in! This is one of those rare moments where you are with your best friends all in one place at the same time! Instead of getting caught up in the typical "boring" bridal party photos, take a second to enjoy the company, and just be your fun selves!
It's super important to make sure your entire bridal party knows where they need to be, and when they need to be there. Often something that can be forgotten at this point is the girls’ bouquets or the guys’ boutonnieres, so it’s good to remind everyone to have their personal florals with them/on them.
It’s super helpful to me if you can have some idea of what you want for your bridal party photos if you want something unique! Otherwise, my standard go-to bridal party shots are: formal shots, fun/candid shots, and individual shots (example: Bride with each bridesmaid). I would highly recommend individual shots with each person standing up on your side. These are so nice to have for the future, for posting on social media, and just for having a solid shot of you and each friend!
As stated before, try to keep these photos outside of the 11am to 1pm harsh lighting of the day, if possible! Especially with that many faces, it’s hard to keep unflattering shadows and backlighting to a minimum during that time of day. Also, shade is GREAT! If your venue or shooting location has lots of shade, that is so helpful!
Family Photos
Est. Time: 30 Min.
It helps me greatly if you know, in advance, exactly the photo combinations you want for your family photos. I always recommend that you write out a list of all your desired photographs with combinations of family members, and send it to me before the wedding day! I will bring that list with me!
If certain family members are desired in photographs, make sure each one of them is informed of exactly where they need to be and when they need to be there for family photos.
Personal recommendation: Try to emphasize the family (and friends) that mean the most to you for these photos. Feel free to take the photo all alone with your Grandma! Take the photo with your mom! And then don’t feel pressured to take photos with your entire extended family if it’s probably not something that is going to get used. Whatever photos and people mean the most to you - get THOSE photos!
The Ceremony
Est. Time: 30 Min. - 45 Min.
The moment we've been waiting for!
Here's a tip: Before the ceremony is a great time to just calm down, and find some peace and quiet. So, keep your favorite people close, take a deep breath, and enjoy the calm before the party!
You will want to block off 30 minutes of "do-nothing" time before the ceremony for you and your bridal party to hide away while guests arrive and the music starts.
Most ceremonies take around 30 minutes, or some religious services can take up to a full hour! So, just make sure you cater enough time to that part of the day!
Directly after the ceremony, have a nice space where you and your partner (and then your bridal party) can go right after the ceremony is finished. This moment is probably one of the most special and emotional of the entire day! You just got MARRIED and you’re sharing your first moments together as a married couple! So, don’t hide yourselves in a random room! I would highly recommend making intentional time and space for this moment!
And then we party!
The Reception
Try to set a time for your reception to officially begin (which usually starts with your grand entrance with your bridal party), and then stick to it! This will ensure that your reception doesn't feel like it's "delayed" for your guests, and it won't keep them waiting around longer than they expected!
Personal tip: The classic events of a reception are so fun! First dances with your new spouse, or one of your parents on either side are always so special, and you will absolutely love and cherish those photos. These first dances are the PERFECT way to start the open dancing. If guests see the head couple out there dancing, they will want to as well!
And cut that cake! Cake cutting photos are so playful/special, so make sure and schedule it into your reception time! Keep in touch with your DJ so they know when to announce this!
Send Off
For send-off photos, wedding guests can form a line that you can walk through that leads up to your getaway car! This can take place after the ceremony as you two take off for the reception (if it is at a second venue), or it can take place at the end of your entire wedding day when you and your spouse take off for your honeymoon!
If it’s going to be dusk or completely dark during your send-off photos, sparklers or light sticks are always the best option! If you decide on sparklers, make sure you get the long-lasting ones, so they aren’t quick to burn out!
If there will still be light during your send-off photos, there are so many options: bubbles, leaves tossed in the air, ribbon streamers, biodegradable confetti, etc…
If you know someone with a unique or vintage car, see if they’d be willing to let you borrow it as your getaway car!
If you’re determined to get send-off photos, make sure that you and your partner start getting ready to leave your wedding reception before almost all of your wedding guests leave! No need to be the first ones to leave, or to cut your wedding short if you want to stay longer, but it's great to have a good chunk of guests still there for these photos!
The Experience
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The Experience 〰️
From start to finish, here's what to expect as we work together...
Today (booking day!)
Now Until Wedding Day
Engagement Photos
Booking Payments
I will send you the first previews from your wedding day gallery, so you already have something to enjoy and look back on!
It’s finally time!! I will deliver your FULL wedding! I will be SO excited for you to see, and promise to pour my heart into them!
Feel free to come to me with ANYTHING about your wedding. Send me inspo, colors you’re thinking, or ask me any questions!
Your date is officially BOOKED on my calendar! I’m so excited to work with you!
Your 2nd payment is due 3 months before your wedding day!
Your final payment is due 2 weeks before your wedding day. (you will get an auto-reminder email for payments!)
Booked an engagement session with me? Let’s get that date on my books and we’ll get started on your vision, location, and outfits!
1 Month from Wedding
WEDDING DAY!
I will text you the morning of, just to let you know that I’m excited to finally be headed to your wedding! Then, we have a blast documenting dreamy photos!
I will schedule a zoom or in-person meeting with you to talk wedding details, expectations, and help you create a timeline!
1 Month after Wedding
Day-After Wedding
“What now?”
Don’t be a stranger! I always encourage my clients, if you loved working with me, don’t hesitate to reach out when you need a photographer again! I LOVE anniversary sessions, maternity sessions, or ‘just because’ photos! Seriously… seeing your name pop up in my inbox is one of my favorite things!
Did you book an engagement session with me? If you haven't yet, I couldn't recommend it more! Engagement photoshoots are one of the best ways to get to know each other, get comfortable with me, and it makes the wedding day photos SO much less intimidating. Also, these shoots are just so much fun!
Engagement Photos
One of the first things I ask my couples before an engagement shoot is: "Do you have a vision for this shoot?" Basically, do you have something in mind that you'd like to make a reality? Or do you have something small that you'd like to build off of?
Either way is great! The greatest thing you can do for me is to just let me know where you are at! If you need inspo, I can help guide you through the process of finding and picking a location, a theme, and your outfit choices. My biggest piece of advice is just to make it feel like YOU and let’s get creative!
I only shoot engagement photo sessions in the early morning or in the evening before the sun sets! This is to ensure the best lighting for your shoot!
HERE ARE SOME COMMON QUESTIONS PAST COUPLES HAVE ASKED...
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If it rains on your wedding day, I’m not scared at all! The only thing that might put me in a difficult situation as a photographer on a rainy wedding day is if the couple is completely unwilling to take photos outside or if they lose heart over the weather. Don’t worry, I’m not saying you have to be willing to get soaked! But, if you come prepared with some pretty umbrellas, or you’re willing to put up with light rain on your hair, or duck under some trees, then there is nothing to worry about!!
Rainy wedding days are some of my favorites. And they say rain on your wedding is good luck!
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No worries! I've likely dedicated the entire day to your wedding, so if you need me for longer, it's just $250 per extra hour and you can add that on as late as the day-of!
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Don't worry about it! This guide is simply created to HELP you, not to stress you out or pressure you into something that doesn't feel like you. Obviously, I stand by the things I say in the guide, and they are important, but if you can only implement a solid handful of tips that I laid out in this guide, you're already ahead!
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Absolutely! I would be happy to add a second shooter to the wedding package. Just let me know, and I will add it on!
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Anywhere is fine! But it is easier to be seated at a separate vendor table, or if there are no other vendors present, I can totally sit at a table alone! I'm fully willing to sit at a table with other wedding guests as well, I just prefer to sit away from wedding guests as I will be coming and going throughout the reception!
Thank you!
I absolutely cannot wait to photograph your wedding day!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I’ll be there every step of the way to guide you and document all the special memories!
Let’s have some fun!
