why that consult matters
There are so many factors into choosing wedding vendors. Let’s figure out if we’re a good fit by chatting and then having a complimentary engagement session to see how we work together!
It’s that magical time of year where everyone decides this season needs a little extra magic with an engagement! And, as a wedding vendor, that means I get to hear from a lot of you reaching out with first steps as you tiptoe, or cannonball into the wedding planning machine. I’ll start with reminding you, I hate this machine for you! In my perfect world, every single decision we make is driven by passion and FEELING. I know that isn’t how the world works, exactly. I definitely think you can find a way to do a lot of things like this!
This is where meeting your vendors comes in. There are so many factors that come into play when going through your wedding checklist. We want to dive right in and say Budget Budget Budget…and yes! That matters…but I’d encourage you to start with your heart, and then let the rest fall into line. When you think about what you have as a tangible, keepsake thing from your wedding day I feel very lucky to say it’s the photos that remain. You might feel instantly nostalgic about your dress, your flowers, your cake. But guess what encompasses all of those things, plus the things that REALLY matter (ope, yep, I said it)? It’s the images. My goal is to get you right in the feels with every image that comes in your gallery.
To get to the point of this blog: A phone consult or facetime meet is a really great way to get a feel for how you vibe with a vendor. Specifically, me! There are an endless amount of weddings that happen weekly, yearly, monthly. Every single client that comes my way is not an automatic match. I can get a feel from how you inquire with me if you’re going to like me. If you’re here to tell me how much your family matters to you, and that you’re excited to spend the start of your married life together enjoying it with your partner and friends: YES. Hit that contact me button immediately! If you’re a bit more laid back, but still know that the experience and end result and FEELING matters to you, look around a bit more then go back to that button :)
I like to use an initial meet as a way to get to know each other, and then I always offer an engagement session as a complimentary way to see how we work together, once you’ve secured booking your wedding date with me! It is WAY worth my time and creativity to get to know you, serve you, and get some images into your hands once you decide to choose me to spend your wedding day with you. I want you to be so sure of our connection, and trust in me from the moment you sign your contract!
SO hello! Congrats on your engagement, and if all of this sounds like it would work for you, let’s chat!
jorgensen’s annual matrimony madness
Jorgensen Farms has an annual photo contest in March and these are the best images by Jessica Love Photography in columbus ohio
One of my favorite places to shoot in Columbus is Jorgensen Farms: both venues! So when they have their annual (well, it’s the SECOND one) contest to pick favorites, I spend WAY too much time looking through and judging what THEY’d consider the best. Well, clearly, all my couples are THE BEST, and I’m emotionally connected to these images. Here are some that I’m looking through to pick a favorite. Do you have one? LMK in the comments!
Jordan + Geoff | married at Revery
a winter wedding - but you wouldn’t know it with the gorgeous sun + beautiful Revery Rooftop Wedding Venue
summertime (+ the livin's easy)
wedding planning advice for how to schedule your summer wedding portraits. Spoiler: if it’s too hot, do them in smaller time frames so nobody melts
The absolute DELIGHT of summer weddings is that you can basically get away with doing photos in short bursts anywhere until about 9pm. Is there anything better than that? Long summer nights make me happy unlike anything else in the world. Not even as a wedding photographer, but as a whole entire human :)
so what, right? WELL! Whenever I get to talking with a couple about their day, we’re, of course, going through the timeline. The hill I’ll die on includes: Make sure you ENJOY your wedding day and don’t just schedule everything around the photos, kay? I say this with the caveat that: your wedding needs to be a summer wedding ;) I know I know, FALL THOUGH! But hear me out.
The freedom that comes with a summer wedding means you can schedule your photo time in a way without getting overwhelmed. If you’d like to do a first look, do that (those photos? they’re the best because you require about ZERO PROMPTING).
What’s great about first looks, and, well, me is that I won’t make you do anything that doesn’t feel right. I can pretty much guarantee my prep will sound like, “ok, you’re in line together, now….take it as it feels right. Do it your way.” There is way too much pressure in how we live now + all the wedding images our eyes consume to be perfect. Guess what? You’re going to see each other, it’s gonna be perfect.
So once that’s done! You get to spend the day with your partner! Such a relief, wow! What I do next is assess the day. Is it hot? How are you feeling? ready to knock out some portraits of one side of the bridal party? Need a drink? SO MANY OPTIONS BECAUSE, you guessed it (!), SO MUCH LIGHT LEFT IN THE DAY!
When it comes to couples portraits, here’s a controversial take: there’s enough time in the day that everything you choose to do is actually your choice. I’ve seen photographers insist on golden light photos…but guess what? I’ll never make you do anything. Don’t want to rush out after dinner? Cool, we’ve gotten enough during the day! (but here’s some goodness that you just have to see!)
what do you think? Is it relieving to get to make your own choices in this digital world of doing all the things we live in!? If you’re here for winter wedding advice, I’ll get ya on that soon, too!
enjoying your day AND the best portraits
an easy how to schedule your wedding day to maximize your presence in enjoying your wedding day
Comin’ atcha today with another how to! If we’ve talked, you’ll immediately know how passionate I feel about being present enough to never, I mean NEVER, feel or even think for one second MAN I WISH I WAS DOING SOMETHING FUN INSTEAD OF PHOTOS! It’s like my second most promise to you, after the obvious first promise that you’ll fully love your entire photo gallery completely!
a generic timeline to maximize your presence on your wedding day
first look (ALONE) with your partner. Do you have to do a first look? absolutely not, but if you do, you have more time together (for pictures!) that is natural and happens organically. Why alone? Isn’t it cute to have your friends and family in the background? well, I mean, sure in THIS moment, maybe…but think forever? When you look back on your wedding day, what’s it about? Throwing a great party for your loved ones, sure…but celebrating your love with YOUR LOVE, that’s it!
take a moment alone together after your ceremony. Call it a breather, call it a break..but you can take 7 minutes while the guests get moving from ceremony to cocktail space…and I don’t even need to be there the whole time. Give me 3 minutes of that exhale when you realize you’ve done it! you’re married! then actually get to enjoy those quiet moments with each other!
During cocktail hour, I’ll offer you a chance to step out and “take a break” from the crowd - because mingling is HARD WORK. (I always tell couples how this is the hardest part of the day, the introverted-extrovert in me is overwhelmed with wanting to photograph people but also v. much wanting to retreat to my long lens and just get candids :) )….and I bet you’ll totally enjoy just a quick second to recap with your partner with some magical shots!
THEN finally! you’re usually the first people fed during the reception. If you’re willing to step out for - you guessed it - another chance to be alone + take it all in, I’ll come along and capture some naturally happy-to-be-together moments of you + your partner!
what do you think? have you thought about how you want to spend your time on your wedding day? If nothing else, I hope this has helped you realize that not one single “how to do your wedding day” guide will ever fit perfectly for you. You should consider your personality, your love, and your season of getting married and do it exactly how it feels right!!
2022 in (wedding) florals
wedding photography featuring details of wedding florals by jessica love photography in 2022
I’ll have to recap my dahlia flowers in another post closer to when I know if I have tubers to share. And, if that’s all nonsense to you, then just stay for the wedding images and forget it :)
The thing I love about weddings, besides everything, is seeing a color theme and design come together with the florals. A recap of all my favorites from this year below, enjoy!
truth be told I’m taking a detour and reliving those images for a second! What a fun statehouse shoot!
cannot possibly talk flowers without putting into here these amazing floral dresses that Sarah encouraged her guests to wear!
and again, full stop for Old Slate / Auburn and Ivory and their absolute genius!
phew! you made it!! wanna talk flowers!? I’m always down for that :)