Jessica has been recognized as a preferred vendor to work with by her industry peers, earned TheKnot.com’s Best of Weddings award 9 times, and been inducted into TheKnot.com Hall of Fame. Jessica is a multi-award-winning photographer, a leader in her industry, and an educator to up-and-coming photographers through her Embark Retreat.
I’m excited to share another fun Wedding Wednesday post for you guys out there engaged and helping to plan your wedding! I have been blessed to have so many amazing clients, and asked a few of my past grooms to share with you guys some advice from their point of view! I love it and think the guys are often put to the side when it comes to planning the wedding, so I want to thank these three for taking the time to write up their answers and for being so generous with us to share their experiences and advice – THANK YOU!!! So….without further adieu, here are Jeff, David, Dustin & Matt answering a few questions about their experience on their big day!
**If any of my other grooms want to be involved, I’d love to do another post soon so just shoot me an email! Jessica@JessicaFreyPhotography.com
1) What’s one thing you had at your wedding that was “yours” (your idea, your concept, something you stuck to your guns about?)
For me, it was the music for Gladys’ entrance; I really wanted the timing for a key element within the music to be reached as she turned to proceed down the center aisle. (That moment I will never forget) I also wanted to have my favorite beer, “Orange Blossom”, by Indiana Wells Brewery. Patty from Rio Bravo made it happen. “It was great!”
2) What were you able to do to help your bride plan the wedding?
Well, I tried to help by staying out of the way… No really, we shared the experience throughout the planning. I handled the seating arrangement and adding all the response cards into an excel spreadsheet. We listened to a lot of music to create our own pieces for a unique and special day. I still play our Wedding mix and really enjoy what we strived to create.
3) Did you have any groomzilla moments? (freak outs, panic attacks, etc)
NO Way! and I will never admit it.
4) Do you have any advice for future grooms that can help them during the planning process and/or wedding day?
Advice, go to a sporting goods store and try on a few pars of running shoes. Pick out the fastest par and THEN RUN!!! Seriously, make the whole wedding experience fun, enjoy the stress and chaos, try to make the event personable with both your personalities considered. But most of all laugh, breathe and be marry.
5) What did having Jessica as your wedding photographer mean for you and your wedding day?
Having Jessica was like having a family friend being part of the celebration. She is very easy going and fun to work with and her work is wonderful.
1) What’s one thing you had at your wedding that was “yours” (your idea, your concept, something you stuck to your guns about?)
The Dollar Dance. While its traditional for my family, it was hard to fit it in the nights agenda. But I stayed firm on it. And we made plenty of money on it as well.
And two Best Men. While it’s not traditional I didn’t care. My Best Men were gonna happen. No way I could choose between my two best friends.
2) What were you able to do to help your bride plan the wedding?
I was involved. I met with pretty much every vendor and knew what we were buying. Shereen did such a great job with planning that I would tell her whatever you have that’s falling off your plate let me know and I’ll take it. So, she asked me to take care of the DJ. Still something.
3) Did you have any groomzilla moments? (freak outs, panic attacks, etc)
Many moments. It’s a very stressful time for both bride and groom. I was definitely stressed with work and planning a wedding that I left to the beach with one of the best men to hang out with our buddy. The following morning it was raining but I didn’t care I drove to the beach at 7 am and jogged from pier to pier. With ipod in hand. On a side note the sun came out during my 3 hour beach venture, but as I headed back to my truck the rain started all over again. And I may have allegedly yelled at a Home Depot employee over some HDMI cords.
4) Do you have any advice for future grooms that can help them during the planning process and/or wedding day?
For the most part we had everything together, except a florist. Remember some vendors will say they can do this or that, and they have all of this. But make sure even if you’ve agreed on one vendor check on others. It helps to see what each vendor provides, so on the day of your wedding you have more piece of mind that they are taking care of everything.
5) What did having Jessica as your wedding photographer mean for you and your wedding day?
Jessica is an awesome photographer. Shereen and I really like people to get to know us. After our first meeting with Jessica we knew she was the photographer we had to have. She keeps you excited about your wedding day, because she really enjoys her work and makes taking pictures a fun affair. With all the stress of planning a wedding and the wedding talk you and your bride forget to have those little moments or loving conversations because your mind is wrapped up in wedding details. Halfway through Wedding planning Jessica sent us a gift card for Starbucks coffee. With the perfect message. Enjoy a cup of coffee on me and p.s. No Wedding Talk. At that moment we needed that and that reconfirmed our decision of picking her as our photographer. She cares and she definitely got us! P.S. Go Cowboys!
1) What’s one thing you had at your wedding that was “yours” (your idea, your concept, something you stuck to your guns about?)
The one thing I stuck to my guns about was my shoes. I had already given up on my first choose of tux, White with tails, and agreed to more of a “Hollywood on the red carpet” type thing. But I knew I wanted to be comfortable. So my groomsmen and I rocked Chuck Tailors. It ended up being a good look and allowed me to say, “Hey guys it’s still me in up here”. It turned out to one of the coolest ideas we had. My wife even rocked some pink glittered Chucks after the ceremony. It all made for some really great photos and memories.
1) What’s one thing you had at your wedding that was “yours” (your idea, your concept, something you stuck to your guns about?)
The wedding would be about us and everything else came after.
2) What were you able to do to help your bride plan the wedding?
Jessica makes things easy. Im very reserved, and she never pushed anything… Other than my hat at the engagement session.
www.JessicaFreyPhotography.com
**Now Booking Wedding Through June 2013! Call or email me for dates available Jessica@JessicaFreyPhotography.com or 661-679-7355***
Jessica Frey is an award-winning, Texas Hill Country-based international wedding and event photographer committed to delivering a high-quality experience complete with stunning and joyful images.
Very novel idea and great responses. I’m very proud of you and your career. Luv ya.