It is a great pleasure to introduce you this month to wonderfully bubbly Jessica Grace Photography. I happened to sit next to her at a wedding industry meet up, and then went on to pocket dial her, and a conversation later a blog post was born. Talking to wedding photographers is always fab as they have such great stories to tell from couples they have met to places they have visited. They are also full to the brim with Wedding inspo and top wedding tips for your wedding day and Jessica doesn’t disappoint!
Jessica recently launched her brand new website and on top of that, she had an amazing wedding featured on Rock My Wedding. So while she is flying high, here are her top tips for your wedding day!
What are your top 2 ‘Do and Don’t’ tips for couples on their wedding day?
I am a strong believer in time management and my biggest DO for couples is please do think about your timings on the day. When and if you can pick a ceremony and a reception venue that are in the same area, it saves so much time and you don’t have to worry about traffic and organising lifts to and from the next destination. It is a massive relief to walk from one place to the next!
My biggest DON’T is don’t let outside influences depict the way that you design your day. Believe in what you want and if you want a cheese wheel cake but your mum thinks that you should be more traditional – stick to your guns!! You will only regret it if you don’t.
The Bride and her gang!
What is your advice when a couple is looking for a photographer?
Look at the photographs thoroughly and make sure that you are picking that person because of the imagery. If you can see every element that you love in their photographs then you have to trust that they can do the perfect job for you. You also have to get on, so don’t be afraid to arrange a meeting, whether that be on the phone or in the flesh. It is a big decision because this person will be following you around all day and it is imperative that you like them. I am a strong believer in the saying ‘Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe’ and when you know – you know.
Your top tip for Styling your day?
I love flowers and greenery! I would always opt for lots of flowers.
Do you think you should ‘Trash your Dress’?
I know that many brides sometimes spend more money on their dress than anything else in their wedding so I am aware how important they are. However, you only wear it once so perhaps trashing the dress is a fun thing to do! I am a big believer in recycling and instead of trashing a dress that someone lovingly made, I have had brides that have bought gorgeous couture and designer dresses second hand so I would be more in favour of paying it forward as it were!
Engagement shoots seem to be very fashionable. What are the advantages of having one?
Engagement shoots are a perfect introduction to having your photograph taken by a stranger – which let’s face it is actually a pretty weird experience. It is a chance to get more familiar with the techniques, feel less worried about the big day and it also allows you to spend some time with your photographer too!
Don’t forget your shirt!!….Don’t worry he didn’t!
What has surprised you the most about wedding photography?
Before I got into photographing weddings, I had never actually been to one! My mum had a civil ceremony in our back garden but it was mostly just a big party! I was surprised that there were running orders to a wedding day [naivety I know!] However now I would not plan a wedding without one!
How you describe your style of photography?
I photograph my couples days how I would like to be photographed. Relaxed, unobtrusive and creative. I blend in and enjoy the day right along with you, and bring this same ease to the formal shoots, too; never stuffy or too posey-posey with bit SAY CHEESE moments. You can enjoy your day completely and know I’ll capture all the big and surprising moments, and countless treasures in between.
What can a couple do for you on the big day?
Be themselves and enjoy every moment.
‘Dance like no one is watching!’
What sets you apart from other photographers?
There are so many wonderful photographers out there doing amazing work. I am not totally sure what sets me apart from them, but I am always so aware of what a privilege it is to be there for my couples wedding days. It makes me incredibly humble and I’m just myself, as I am. No bells and whistles. No glitz or glitter to hide behind. I give you the best I have and most of the time that means we’re each making a new friend and I am doing the best job that I can for you.
Do consider the environment in your business practices?
I am in the middle of doing a reduced plastic lifestyle change and really trying to uphold, and all my business is paperless thanks to online contracts! All my postal boxes are recycled and I plant trees to offset my carbon footprint as I have a couple of destination weddings this year.
The deal is done!
Indoor or outdoor wedding?
Outdoor!
Themed or none theme?
Oh that’s tricky, I’ve never done a themed wedding so I say themed!!
Local or Destination?
Destination.
Big or small?
I love big weddings but also small intimate ones so this one is a hard one!
Thank you to Jessica for answering my questions, we hope you have found them useful. Check out Jessica’s page and follow her lovely
Instagram feed too. You can never see too many wedding pictures.
Don’t forget if you have any engagement photos done, you could use them on our Save the Dates, as part of the design.
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