I took a few days off after the New Year, hey working right up to it I think I deserved it ;), but now it’s time to get back in action. A TON of new Brides to Be were birthed over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and that means a TON of new Brides to Be now saying “Ok, what do I do now?” Well, read through this post and then at the bottom check out the BraskaJennea Weddings Book Now incentive…trust me it’s a “TO DIE FOR” item you’ll want hanging in your new home together!
Planning. One word that incites a flood of overwhelming joy, it’s what you’ve wanted all your life…dreamed of since you were a little girl, and now IT’S FINALLY HERE…AND it’s also a word full of questions…and stress.
There have been books, and blog, and magazines written on just this very subject. I’m working on one myself 😉 , but still there’s SO much to know, to do, to research. Where do you start? I’m not going to be able to cover the whole process step by step in this post, but I’ll give you “the big 3” to help kick it off.
1) You have to start with a date. “Duh” right? But here’s a few tidbits on picking your date:
A: Weddings are EXPENSIVE. I can’t stress this enough. They don’t have to be bank breaking affairs, but they do cost a large chunk of change. Pick a wedding date far enough out to give you time to make payments! Making payments for a year instead of taking out loans, maxing out credit cards, and starting your new married life off in debt is a far better decision.
I mentioned once before about the price difference in paying off the $2,400 for your dream Wedding Photography Collection in 12 or 9 months, rather than 3 to 4. DON’T WAIT! Do it ASAP and save yourself added money worries.
B: Whether or not you can deal with the Weather! Do you like hot weather, cold weather, or do you want “just right” weather? i.e. are you ok with sweating, pit stains, and redoing your make-up during and after pictures, or are you ok with finding a cute “Winter Wedding Coat” or capes for yourself and your girls, are you ok with the threat of snow?
If you’re not ok with heat then the “peak wedding” months are not for you. June-August are HOT…hellciously HOT, and over the years of planning, floral design, and now wedding photography there’s one cry I hear all.the.time. from my Summer Brides “It’s SO HOT!” Which to that I say “DUH! Ummmm It’s Summer” Lol! I’m not ridiculing anyone for choosing a summer wedding, I mean I shoot them, I love them just the same as I do cool month-ed weddings, but seriously….IT’S SUMMER…in the SOUTH! Anticpate 100+ degree temps for a July-August wedding, it’s almost a guarantee.
If you’re not ok with the cold or snow possibility then avoid December thru February at all costs. It’s going to be cold. And sure last year “we had 60 degrees and sunny in December”, consider that the extreme exception to the rule. If you’re planning a wedding and cold is just not your thing, no matter how much you want a Christmas or New Years Wedding, avoid Winter.
So, where’s the happy medium? If you’re not wanting Fall Colors so therefore a late October-November Fall Wedding is out, typically September, or even early October, can skate you by on bringing in those Summer colors, just remember though this is still the south so it may still be bitterly cold or unseasonably warm. If you’re not wanting a “Winter White”, Holiday theme, or Fall Colors then the prime time for you will be late March-end of May. Granted, again, we’re in the south so rain is always a threat, but those months typically yield the most “pleasant” climate for outdoor weddings, or at least the outdoor portrait session on Wedding Day.
That last point brings me to Planning Priority 2 & 3, which is a TIE between Venue AND Photographer. Here’s why:
This is what’s it’s all about loves…how will you remember the day?!
Many a great wedding photo has been ruined by poor lighting, small spaces, too low or too high ceilings, dark spaces, even time of day! A beautiful location in the afternoon may turn in to a photographer’s worst nightmare when the sun goes down, and vice versa! If you’ve had your heart set on those dreamy, sunlit, golden sun peeking through the Bride and Groom images you’ve been seeing repeatedly in your wedding mags then get with your photographer to work out the best time of day for ceremony and after, or before, ceremony portraits. Also, pick a location that is going to have gorgeous outdoor scenery to supply those “magazine” backdrops you’re in love with.
Also, PLEASE consider the decor of the venue that’s already there. Your grandmother’s Church she’s pushing for because “it’s free!” that was built in the early 1900′s probably isn’t going to lend you those images you’ve fallen in love with from Pinterest. Keep an eye out for Dark or really yellow/orange wood, out dated/colored carpet, child’s wallpaper in the “Bridal Suite”…all things to reallllly look at and consider “Do I want that in my photos?” …And NO, before you ask we cannot change the wallpaper, carpet, or wood color in every.single.photo. from your day. Well, unless you’re willing to pay dearly for it 😉
. Yes, it is a very special, and sacred, ceremony, but it is a wedding, YOUR Wedding, and if you want those images choose a venue that’s going to permit your photographer to get them…with as minimal intrusion in the ceremony as possible.
I wrote a post last Fall on Choosing a Wedding Photographer so please check that out as well as the 4 other Wedding Planning 101 links at the bottom of that post.
NOW, as promised a SUPER fantastic Booking Bonus to help encourage any potential BJP Wedding Brides and Grooms to get on board, and not wait until the last minute to try and book Wedding Photography. 2014 for BJP is already shaping up to be an insanely busy Wedding Year! Whooo!
For the month of January all NEW weddings booked within 10 days of first contact will receive a complimentary 16×24 Professional Canvas Gallery Wrap with their pick of Wedding Image overlayed with the First Dance lyrics. Here’s one from a recent Bride’s request: 
You’re already salivating over having one of you and your Groom hanging in your home together, I know. And this $300 piece of artwork for your wall can be yours for simply booking early! Avoid the heartbreak of not getting your date, or not being able to shell out the money in just a couple of months time if your date is available, and book AS SOON AS YOU HAVE YOUR DATE! I promise it’s totally doable with planning. 🙂
So, Happy Wedding Planning lovers! It’s your day, do it right!
BraskaJennea Photography | Destination Wedding & Curvy Boudoir Photographer 