I'm so excited to be working with you, and I can’t wait to get to know you better over the next several months! I know photography is one of the larger investments you're making for your wedding day, and I'm so honored you chose to work with me!

Even if you're working with a wedding planner or you're planning a simple wedding, there are likely still a lot of moving pieces left leading up to your big day. 

Use this guide to help with everything from timelines to engagement sessions to family portrait list recommendations to tips to how to make your day that much smoother and extra unique!

Thank you again for choosing to work with us, and please don't hesitate to let me know if I can offer additional guidance throughout the wedding planning process!

- jenna

WELCOME

a note about this guide

I'm a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons. Not only do they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera, they also give you the opportunity to showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you. I've created an entire page dedicated to outfit tips, location ideas, timing considerations and more!

Engagement session

plan your session

vendors

WHO WILL MAKE YOUR DAY INCREDIBLE

WEDDING PLANNERS

FLORAL DESIGNERS

ViDEOGRAPHY

DJ & BANDS

HAIR & MAKEUP

CAKES

Attire

RENTALS 

Invitations

Vow books

getting ready

Venues

vendor guide

Over the years, I've learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free wedding day. I've worked with many of the vendors below, and I can't recommend them enough! This is not a paid list - I chose these vendors for both the quality and style of their work as well as their professionalism on the actual wedding day.

A first look cuts through the chaos of the day.

IT MAKES MORE TIME FOR PICTURES WITHOUT SACRIFICING COCKTAIL HOUR.

AVOID POSSIBLE BAD WEATHER AND/OR HAVE TIME TO FRESHEN-UP AFTER the first look

FIRST LOOKs

if you're wondering whether a first look is right for you, read on

01

02

03

FIRST LOOKs

That moment the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is magical. And this is true whether the couple chooses to wait until the bride walks down the aisle or if they choose to do a “first look’ prior to the ceremony.

First looks—a private moment couples choose to spend together prior to the wedding ceremony—have become more popular over the last few years. About 95% of my couples this year have chosen to do a first look.

While I consider myself someone who value tradition, there are definitely a few good reasons to consider a first look. Here are 3 reasons to consider a ‘first look’:

Once the ceremony begins, the day takes off quickly. A ‘first look’ is an opportunity to enjoy some quiet time alone, enjoy each other’s company, and reflect on all this day means before your day takes off.

Wedding days can be a whirlwind and they tend to fly by. There’s much to do, and a lot of people to see and to catch up with. I always encourage my couples to take a few minutes every so often during their wedding to stop and soak in everything that’s happening.

When there is no first look, the majority of the pictures have to be taken after the ceremony. Family pictures are generally done as soon as the ceremony ends because it’s the easiest time to round everyone up. Next up is full bridal party, and then bride and groom portraits. This generally runs into cocktail hour.

A first look opens up time prior to the ceremony for full bridal party pictures and, sometimes, for a few bride and groom portraits (although I prefer to do most bride and groom portraits at sunset). This allows the couple to get the most out of cocktail hour, which makes the rest of the evening feel less rushed.

If you’re expecting poor weather on your wedding day, it might be best to plan on a first look because it gives you more options for pictures. If it’s pouring rain after the ceremony, you’ll be thankful you had pictures done in advance.

And reason 3b is for all you cryers out there. If you know the tears are going to fly the first time you see your other boo the day of your wedding, a first look will give you time to freshen up before the ceremony.

First look or not, the first time you see each other on your wedding day will be special. And trust us, just because you have a first look does not mean that your fiancé won't cry again when you walk down the aisle!

BUILDINg THE PERFECT

tips for a seamless wedding day timeline

timeline

Wedding Day

Whether you choose to do a first look or the traditional "no see before the ceremony" we will work with you on making sure you have the best timeline and plan for images.

If you're choosing to go traditional, you'll need two different sets of photo times: images taken before the ceremony and images taken after the ceremony.

You'll need to plan for about one hour of pre-ceremony bridal photos (bridesmaids and bride's family) and about one hour of pre-ceremony groom photos (groomsmen and groom's family) at separate times. You'll also need 15 minutes of combined bridal party portraits, 15 minutes of combined family portraits and at least 30 -45 minutes of couple's portraits after the ceremony if you're not doing any portraits together until after the ceremony.

If you're doing a first look, photos can be done all at one time, taking an average total of 1.5 to 2 hours pre-ceremony (although we also LOVE grabbing just the two of you for a few additional bride and groom photos at sunset!)

If you choose a traditional aisle reveal, all we ask is that you keep your ceremony time in mind when planning your wedding.

If you're planning a sunset ceremony or an evening ceremony, it's best to do all photos before the wedding, as daylight is crucial to getting amazing portraits for your families, bridal party and your couples portraits. Making sure we have enough time while the sun is up is a great way to make the traditional ceremony work.

example timelines

Wedding Timeline
with a First Look

Wedding Timeline
without a First Look

view the timeline

view the timeline

While most wedding venues have space to shoot portraits on-site, we occasionally run into times where we need to go off-site. There are so many pretty locations we can shoot at come wedding day! I'll look to you both first to see if there's anywhere specific that you've always wanted for your wedding. Or maybe there's a certain type of location you'd like. From there I can help recommend locations based on where your wedding is, how much time we have, and the time of day we'll be shooting! To get you to start thinking about locations, here are some of the most beautiful spots!

The above locations are all beautiful but I also love exploring meaningful locations with my couples!

Sunset Cliffs
Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines Gliderport
Point Loma Lighthouse

coastal

Balboa Park
San Diego Botanic Garden

GREENERY

Double Peak Park
Lake Hodges, Rancho Bernardo
Ramona Grasslands

mountain Views

Windansea Beach
Black Beach
Moonlight Beach
Scripps Pier

BEACH

Balboa Park

Architecture

locations

san diego wedding LOCATIONS

RAIN TIPS

If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful! If you don't believe me, just take a look at Brianna + Nick's wedding day. It was on the eve of a hurricane. Yet look at how beautiful it was!

If rain is in the forecast, I recommend ordering a few clear umbrellas on Amazon. It also might be good to re-evaluate portrait locations to make sure we can still shoot in natural light - even if it means heading offsite.

If you don't own a pair of cute Wellies, now may be a great time to order a pair - even if you're just wearing them in between shooting locations. 

If you're not working with a planner, it might also be a good idea to check in with your entire vendor team to make sure they're aware of the weather. Hair and makeup may need to be tweaked to withstand humidity and if your wedding is outdoors, DJs and bands may need to take extra precaution to protect their gear. A quality rental team can also minimize the amount of mud at outdoor events.

While I can't guarantee that rain on your wedding day is good luck, we can put a plan in place to ensure a beautiful day and beautiful images.

Rainy day weddings may require a little more flexibility and creativity, but there isn't any reason why they can't be as beautiful and as joyful as sunny weddings!

RAIN TIPS

I once had a bride bring her grandmother's hand mirror. Completely optional - but if you have something sentimental you'd like styled with your details, I'd love to include it where I can.

Dress
Dress Hanger (I have a gold BHLDN hanger I can bring)
Rings (engagement and both wedding bands)
Shoes
Veil
Floral Bouquet
Perfume
Jewelry
Vow Book
Invitation Suite (2 full sets with envelopes + loose stamps)
Any other paper stationary you may have like menus or place cards
Any other sentimental keepsakes you would like to include


Bonus: We'd love to have a few cuts of the florals you'll be using throughout your wedding day. If your florist will supply us a small bucket of extra pieces we can incorporate those in your detail shots.

Bride's Detail CHECKLIST

details

Wedding Day

I love capturing all the little details you've carefully chosen to be a part of your wedding day! Once I arrive at your wedding, we need about 45 minutes - 1 hour to capture and style details. I recommend choosing a getting ready location filled with natural light and, if possible, please keep the space free from trash and clutter.

It would be wonderful if you could put all of your rings, jewelry, shoes, veil purse, perfume, invitations and other keepsakes together in one spot for us. Please unwrap your dress but don't worry about styling it - we'll hang it in a beautiful spot! 

bride

Groom's Detail CHECKLIST

Shoes
Wedding Band
Cuff Links
Bow Tie
Cologne
Pocket Square
Boutonnière
Vow Book
Watch
Anything else that is special or sentimental.

groom

the rings

the rings

When I can, I always try to take a photo of your rings while you're getting ready. If possible, try to have your engagement ring cleaned or clean it yourself.

To clean at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes. Then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and repeat if needed.

Family Formals

YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY, DRESSED UP AND TOGETHER 

B+G with Bride's Immediate Family + Grandparents
B+G with Bride's Immediate Family
B+G with Bride's Siblings 
Bride with Siblings
B+G with Bride's Parents
Bride with Mom 
Bride with Dad 
B+G with Groom's Immediate Family + Grandparents
B+G with Groom's Immediate Family
B+G with Groom's Siblings 
Groom with Siblings
B+G with Groom's Parents
Groom with Mom 
Groom with Dad 

Please note that this list is just an example to help you think, and that I'm happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows! I would recommend keeping your list to under 16 groups.

family formals Checklist

This part of the day is both the most important and the most stressful. To ease the stress, I take on the responsibility of running family photos! The only thing I need from you is the list of family groupings. I'll organize the family list, as I've learned over the years the best flow to make it go the smoothest! We always start with the largest group and work our way down. If there's grandparents, we try to get those done early on. Then we'll repeat the process with your fiancé's family! 

To make the photos go smoothly, I urge you to personally let every family member in the photos know when, where, and what's expected of them. So often, we get delayed with doing family photos because we lost a family member who "ran to the bathroom." 

When I send out the pre-wedding questionnaire, I'll ask you for a list of specific groupings, special situations (such as divorces or handicapped family members & more), but if you want to start brainstorming photos in the meantime, you'll find our typical list below. 

If you've been to a wedding recently, you may have seen a sign from the happy couple asking for their guests to remain "unplugged" during the ceremony. 

And while it might seem like a strange requests to ask guests to put down their phones, there's a pretty good reason for it! You made a big investment in photography and I'm sure one of the last things you want on your wedding day is for my photos of your ceremony to be filled with obtrusive iPhones, iPads and relatives standing in the aisle with their own cameras. In order to help us do the best possible job capturing your wedding, we recommend asking guests to unplug during the ceremony.

consider
unplugging

consider
unplugging

Additional

tips

01.  When looking for getting ready spaces, look for neutral walls, simple and clean design, and big windows with tons of natural light!

02.  Keep your getting ready space tidy. It helps save me time so I don't have to clean things up, and it also makes for a much cleaner photo with no clutter in the background.

03.  Make sure and have your bouquet delivered in time to make an appearance for the detail shots and for your first look. Often they are delivered in water and need to be dried off before use. Having towels handy can help.

04.  If you're planning on having a first look with your bridal party or a parent, they often feel more comfortable being fully dressed in their wedding attire. 

05. Walk slowly down the aisle for the ceremony. This goes for you and the bridal party! Let there be space between everyone as you walk down the aisle so I have time to capture everyone in case someone stands up in front of me.

06. When it's time to kiss during the ceremony, hold it for 3 seconds. If your kiss is a super quick peck, there's a chance I won't be able to capture it. You're finally married - celebrate! And if you're getting married outside of a church, ask your officiant to step aside for your first kiss!

07. Keep your reception room closed off during cocktail hour. This helps to ensure that I can get in there to shoot all the pretty details before guests set down their drinks and personal items.

08. Try to knock out speeches earlier in the reception. Guests tend to listen better when there's not food in front of their faces. And guests tend to not like seeing a camera pointed at them while they're eating! This also allows for a clean break for me and the second shooter to break for dinner and make sure that we aren't missing any key part of your day!

09. To help make family portraits go smoother, it's best to tell everyone involved in photos when they are, where they are, and what is expected of them.

10. If you're getting married in the summer months, a "not-so-heavy" snack or lunch time before portraits is always a good idea for you and your bridal party to avoid hungry bellies and passing out!

11. If it's going to be hot, a cooler of cold waters and frozen washcloths can help keep a wedding party cool - especially if your men are wearing lots of layers.

12. On your wedding day, don't get caught up in the timeline. Let me worry about getting you where you need to be! I want you to be present on your day and savor every detail of it!


We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.

Think about this fact: twenty years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.

One of the best ways to make your wedding memories last is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen & leather colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents' wedding photos came in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.

handcrafted
albums

the perfect way to remember your wedding day

After we deliver your gallery, we'll work with you to order prints and design an album that will become an heirloom for your family. 

Albums must be prepaid before design begins and typically take between 4 to 6 weeks to complete (including revisions). 

With the exception of printing errors, all albums are non-returnable. Albums may be ordered anytime before or after the wedding day. The holiday deadline for beginning an order is November 1st.

Wedding albums are available a la carte or as part of your wedding collection.

Wedding albums are available a la carte or as part of your wedding collection.

PRICING

PRICING

20 page (10 spread), 8x10 album

Linen: 900
Suede/Velvet: 975
Leather: 1020

Names on Cover: 75+
Additional Spread (2 Pages): 35
Duplicate Parent Album: 600+

20 page (10 spread), 8x10 album

Linen: 900
Suede/Velvet: 975
Leather: 1020

Names on Cover: 75+
Additional Spread (2 Pages): 35
Duplicate Parent Album: 600+

THANK YOU!

I can't wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! If you haven't scheduled your engagement session yet, let's get that in the books. Feel free to email me any time at jenna@jennamariephotography.co.

If you have any questions or would just like to chat, I'm here for you. I hope this guide helps make the process of planning your wedding details much easier and less stressful. I can't wait to see you soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this guide!

© jenna marie photography 2024