How to Plan a Fraser Valley Wedding
As you already know, your corner of the planet is glorious. The snow caps on Mount Baker, the sparkles of the Fraser River, the richness of Golden Ears, the majesty of Mount Cheam. Why would you get married anywhere else?
In the Fraser Valley, your wedding options are limited only by time, budget, and weather. For the rest, let your imagination flow! Are you dreaming of a ceremony nestled in your backyard among berry plants andfir trees? Souds good! Or how about hosting a mountain-view lodge celebration? Sure, we’ve got that too. Embracing the community you love is a recipe for wedding delight.
Fraser Valley weddings are a combination of hometown charm and unbeatable British Columbia beauty. If your friends and family aren’t local, this is a great chance to show off your community. Show off your town with price – they’ll enjoy experiencing the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Interested in downloading the Fraser Valley Wedding Planning guide? Click here!
(Chock-full of inspiration photos, respected local vendors, and wedding planning tips: it’s free, it’s fabulous, and it’ll start your wedding planning with a flourish.)
How To Choose Your Fraser Valley Wedding Venue
As you have thought through your wedding day and prioritized elements according to your budget, you’re now ready to think about a venue. Before you let the Google overwhelm set in, ask yourself which do you prefer: Indoor or outdoor? Garden or ballroom? All-inclusive or DIY?
More importantly, perhaps: What do you want your guests to experience? How will you create that?
The Fraser Valley offers options in almost every category, including the uniqueness of a Fraser River Lodge backdrop for your ceremony or the majesty of a Swaneset Wedding Reception overlooking the mountainscape.
As you clarify your style and the experience you want for you and your guests, your decision will become clear and your venue options will narrow.
How to Choose Your Fraser Valley Wedding Photographer
I won’t sugar-coat it. You have a lot of decisions to make. But in all the choices you’ll make for your wedding day, the most lasting one will be in the photographs. Here is where the food, the flowers, the dress, and the venue will come to life. This is how you’ll remember your big day for years to come. Here are my top-three tips for nailing the photographer choice.
Find a photographer you like (nay, love!) to photograph your Fraser Valley wedding
More than liking the photos, you should also like the person! You’re welcoming this person into your most important and exciting moments and asking them to stick closer to you than any other vendor you work with. You have to like your wedding photographer. Loving your photos is valuable but loving your photographer is priceless. Go have coffee with prospects, treat it like a “first date”, and see if you click well enough to spent intense hours together.
Find a photographer who is well-respected and well-established to help you document your fun.
As easy as it is in our iPhone-driven world to take and share pretty good photos, a photographer is not just taking a snapshot of a moment. A good wedding photographer is drawing upon years of experience to give you living proof of your wedding day.
But how do you tell whether or not a photographer is a pro?
- Has the photographer shot in a range of settings, in a variety of conditions? Look for variety in your photographer’s portfolio images
- Does the photographer have happy previous clients? Asking for references is completely acceptable
- Does the photographer have wedding experience? Not just wedding portraits, but wedding day celebration.
Find a photographer who likes you.
You want your wedding photographer to like you because you’ll get better photographs. Plain and simple. You don’t want someone who’s just showing up for the paycheque.
(For the record: if I don’t think you and I are a good fit, I won’t sign a contract to shoot your wedding. The photographer/bride connection is vitally important to the creation of magnificent images.)
In case we haven’t officially met yet… hi! I’m Jennifer AKA Jenni Marie of Jenni Marie Photography.
I’ve photographed weddings for the last eight years and built my business while working a desk job and living in North Carolina. For the past six years I’ve lived in the Fraser Valley and learned to love its beauty and variety. (My love story is a crazy one and is the reason I moved from North Carolina to British Columbia – you should ask me about it when we meet for coffee!)
I believe you are beautiful and deserve to look and feel your best on your wedding day.
But I also know you don’t always feel that way. So maybe you’re not a Hollywood icon. And maybe you don’t fit the idealized version of beauty the media portrays. Maybe you hate your nose and your weight isn’t where you’d like it. But here’s the thing.
You. Are. Beautiful.
You are, I’m convinced of it. And I’m committed to tell your unique love story in a way that’s true to you and showcase how stunning you are.
Jenni Marie Photography is for you if you…
- Are in love with a great man
- Want great photos filled with real life and emotions
- Know you are created in God’s image
- Love juxtaposing rugged adventure and femininity
- Celebrate marriage, not just the wedding day
- Don’t accept norms “just because”
- Think outside the box
- Find art in everyday life
For more about my bridal packages and availability please email me. I look forward to hearing about your vision and bringing your dreams to life for generations to enjoy.
Book Your Fraser Valley Wedding Photographer Now
Email today for Jenni Marie Photography wedding coverage.
I can’t wait to chat with you! I pride myself on speedy responses so if you don’t see an email from me within twenty-four hours, please check your spam filter. =)