Hey, I’m Jayde!  Your gif-obsessed, oat milk latte-drinking, Chicago-based destination wedding and elopement photographer.  ​​I am a capturer of booty-grabs, spilled drinks, dress tosses, and really bad dance moves and I am SO excited you made it to my corner of the internet.

Let’s be real for a second, there are a LOT of photographers out there, there are a lot of good ones at that, which is why it is beyond important that you get to know the people you plan to work with on your wedding day.  Your wedding photographer will spend more time with you throughout your wedding day than your parents. I will see you before you’re ready for your day and be with you until your feet hurt from dancing at the end of the night.  You want to make sure you have the right person for the job which is why we’re going over my client experience in today’s blog.

Though I am a destination wedding photographer, there are a number of other roles that come along with the job.  In order to help you feel comfortable in front of the camera and feel like your authentic self throughout your wedding day, there are a number of things that go into your wedding packages that don’t have to do with me knowing how to work a camera.  Your comfort and experience is my TOP priority so here are a couple of things I do to make sure that you have the experience you deserve.

I will help your day run smoothly

My background in event management has helped me to be a source of calm on the day so that your day will go off smoothly.  I know that this might be your first wedding.  I get that there are a LOT of moving parts that go into planning a destination wedding, which is why I feel your photographer (me!) should be there every step of the way.

When you first inquire with me I send over a wedding planning checklist before you even book. We will work together to create the perfect timeline for your day, and once we get to your wedding day, I will be sure to keep us on track while still making sure you can experience your wedding day.

“Not only was she so important the day of our wedding but she was there the entire planning process as well, making every step of the way less stressful” -Breanna

I will be there for YOU

Your story is timeless, it’s special, all because it’s yours.  Every wedding day is different because every couple is different.  I take a client-centered approach to my work in order to create an experience that is catered to you and your partner.  Your wedding day is going to be special to you and one of a kind which is why leading up to the day you and your partner will receive a handful of questionnaires as well as a call to go over all the details of your day.  Together we will put together a day of timeline for us to follow throughout and put together expectations for what moments and important people you want to make sure you see in your wedding album after the day is over.

I’ll help with the little things

Yes, I’ll be with you every step of the way helping you curate every last detail of the day, and I will document it all.  There are so many details that go into a wedding day that many people, even those who have been through one, tend to overlook.  On your wedding day, you might find me pulling a crochet hook out of my pocket to finish the buttons on your bridal gown.  I might be passing your dad a couple of tissues right before the first look as his eyes well up in anticipation.  And at the end of the night, I’ll hug you goodbye and bring you a drink on the way out.  Having worked in this industry, I’ve seen it all, I’ve been a part of it all and I’ll be prepared for you.

“She asked me constantly if I needed anything throughout the day and checked in on me.  She truly was there for me and my entire crew of people on our day.  Our experience was something we still talk about!” -Madison

We will create an experience catered to you

Your wedding day isn’t a photo shoot, and I know that.  While, at the same time, I know this is a big moment in your life and you’re going to want some specific photos from your day that capture how it felt, show who was there, and preserve how you felt throughout your wedding day.  We’ll get the must-haves, like you and your family smiling at the camera, you and your partner standing at the end of the aisle together, but when it comes to the rest of the day.  I will work with you to curate environments that allow you to live through your day while still being able to document these beautiful moments.

“She is a joy to work with and is perfect at making taking pictures feel natural and not posed/staged.” -Taylor

What Happens Next

WOWZA okay that was a lot, but all so so so important!  If everything that’s going on up there is resonating with you, here’s what the rest of the process might look like working with me!

1. You fill out my contact form

You can head over to my contact page here and take some time to fill out the contact form.  When filling out the form, the more details the better!  I want to get to know you and your wedding plans so that I can be sure that I will be the best fit for your day.

2. Collection Creation

I’ll check out your date to make sure I’m available, then, based on the information you provide me in your inquiry form I will put together three custom collections that I feel will best serve you on your wedding day.  In the collections, I will go over what it includes, how much coverage you might need and what that looks like for your wedding day based on the details given in the contact form.  I don’t hold anything back, I never want my couples to be blindsided by pricing while we are on a call which is why I send over your guide BEFORE we hop on a call.

3. We’ll hop on a call

If you’re vibing with the packages and ready for the next steps we will hop on a call!  We will go over your custom collections, talk about what your wedding day will look like with me as your photographer, talk about where your destination might be, and pick out the package that fits your day best.  Along with the packages we will also talk over add-ons like engagement sessions, albums, and any other details that pop up throughout our call.

4. We will make it official!

After our call, I will send over a proposal that will include your contract and invoice.  Though the contract may be long, I will always remind my couples that they need to read all the way through the contract, even the fine print.  After the contract is signed and the agreed-upon non-refundable retainer is paid we will do a happy dance and then start planning your wedding day!

5. We start planning

Between your wedding or elopement timeline, your planning timeline, or just some sanity check-ins along the way I will be with you from the start of your planning process till a couple of months after the wedding day.  We will take some time getting to know each other as your wedding day gets closer.  I have a couple of questionnaires for you and your honey to fill out together. We will follow each other on socials so we can get a peek into each other’s lives. Then we’ll hop on a phone call leading up to the day and together we will craft the day of your dreams and document all the special moments along the way.

6. We get you married!

On the day of your wedding, I will arrive soon after you wrap up your hair and makeup.  We will get you and your partner dressed and ready, share toasts amongst friends, have a TON of fun taking some portraits along the way, and just spend a day celebrating the two of you! Head to my blog to check out some of my all-time favorite weddings and sessions throughout the midwest.

By the end of your wedding day, we’ll probably be high-fiving, hugging, and crying, or maybe all three at once.  More than anything I want my couples to have the wedding day of their dreams and some photos to preserve the memories along the way.  If you’re looking for a destination photographer for your wedding day and thinking I might be the one for you, head to my contact page to fill out my inquiry form and we can get to planning your day!