Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer Jen OSullivan » planning

Ilyas and Jenn get married at the Nixon Library

Jen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:18:23 +0000

To have a wedding like Jenn and Ilyas, contact the Nixon Library and make sure you see Ashley with Agape Planning!

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-890-8174 | jen@jenosullivan.com

Are Wedding Planning Timetables a Thing of the Past?

Jen — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:23:26 +0000

Gone, it seems are the days when people get engaged and then plan for a year before the big day. Okay, I correct myself. They ARE waiting a year and sometimes even two, however many a wedding specialist can attest to the odd trend of brides waiting until the very last minute to book major parts of their wedding day. It used to be that we would give deep discounts for brides who booked with less than 3 months to go, however since this seems to be the MO of many brides for the past two seasons the discounts are going away more and more as specialists get more savvy to the times. The true sadness that I am seeing are brides who really wanted to use my services but they waited until too late and I am already booked on their date. Chalk it up to the economy and people’s uneasiness about booking too far out with little security for what the future holds, but I am still a traditionalist. I like my clients to do it right. Why? If you book late AND your photographer happens to have your date available you will miss out on several really wonderful rights of passage as an engaged person. There is little to no time to do an engagement session with an announcement and photo in your local newspaper and what about doing a bridal session? Your wedding gown will likely be the most expensive and beautiful dress you will ever own. Do your hair and makeup trial along with having your photographer capture you in all your glory when you are not rushed on your wedding day. These are time honored traditions that seem to be the first to hit the round file for brides who book late. Here is my recommended time table from the moment he pops the question to the moment you walk down the isle.

TIME TABLE

Immediately After the Engagement:
- Discuss a budget, the size and style of the wedding.
- Decide who pays for what.
- If you will be using a wedding consultant, enlist their services.
- Meet with officiant; schedule pre-marital counseling.
- Reserve wedding/reception sites; make initial catering contacts.
- Register at local bridal registries.
- Contact photographers; hire one.

Six Months or More Before:
- Compile the guest list.
- Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.
- Choose wedding rings.
- Send your engagement announcement to newspapers.
- Select and order wedding gown.
- Select the attendants (bridesmaids and groomsmen).
- Choose and order bridesmaids dresses.
- Select one usher for every 50 guests.
- Check out videographers. Hire one.
- Make arrangements for the music at the wedding and reception.
- Check out bakers for your cake. Get estimates. Book the date.
- Plan beauty preparations (nails, diet, hair, skin care, and makeup).
- Make all transportation arrangements for the day of the wedding.
- Complete all honeymoon plans.

Four Months Before:
- Complete the guest list and confirm final details with the caterer.
- Order invitations and personal stationery or “Thank You” notes.
- Order napkins and purchase any other items needed.
- Check with the caterer to see what he/she includes.
- Get estimates and order flowers and floral arrangements.
- Get estimates and order decorations and favors.
- Book room for wedding night.

Three Months Before:
- Order wedding rings. Allow time for any final engraving.
- Order tuxedos for the groomsmen and fathers.

Two Months Before:
- Mail invitations (6 weeks before wedding; 8 weeks to out-of-town guests).
- Make appointments with the hairdresser for the bride and attendants.
- Buy a wedding gift for your future spouse and gifts for attendants.
- Finalize arrangements of accommodations for out-of-town guests.

One Month Before:
- Choose all accessories, shoes and lingerie for bridal gown.
- Have final fitting for bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses.
- Have beauty consultant do a trial run with bride’s hair and makeup. Schedule this appointment on the day the bridal portait is taken.
- Contact the photographer again to discuss specifics.
- Have bridal portrait taken.
- Have groomsmen registered and measured at the formal wear store.
- Check with the newspapers on wedding announcement requirements.
- Finalize plans for rehearsal dinner.
- Plan seating arrangements for the rehearsal dinner and reception.
- Complete change-of-address information for post-office.
- Keep current with “Thank You” notes.

Two Weeks Before:
- Get the marriage license. Be sure to bring all needed documents.
- Inform those who will attend the rehearsal and dinner.
- Inquire about a dressing room for you and your attendants.
- Walk through the entire event in your mind. Consider things like parking, access for handicapped guests, etc.
- Confirm all transportation plans.
- Check in with vendors to confirm all arrangements.
- “Break in” wedding shoes at home.

One Week Before:
- Appoint someone to be the “organizer” to handle any last minute issues.
- Give a final guest count to the caterer.
- Review final details for those in the wedding party.
- Confirm honeymoon arrangements.
- Pack for the honeymoon. Know what you’ll wear from the reception.
- Enjoy a day with your friends. Visit a day spa and relax.

One Day Before:
- Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and give gifts to attendants.
- Give the rings and officiant’s fee to the best man.
- Organize gown, accessories, etc. to go to ceremony.

Wedding Day:
- Mail wedding announcements.
- Get hair, makeup, etc. done.
- Enjoy the day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copyright © 2010 by Jen O’Sullivan http://www.jenosullivan.com
Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.
Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Picking your PHOTOGRAPHER

Jen — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:53:11 +0000

My top three things I always tell potential clients are:

1. Make sure you like the personality of your photographer. They will be the one service provider that will be with you the entire day!
2. Really LOOK at their work. Can you see yourself in their shots? Scrutinize their photography. If you don’t LOVE it, then keep looking. You want your heart to melt when you see their work. And look at an entire days worth of shots, not just the best ones. You would be surprised at how easy it is to get a few good shots and the rest are terrible.
3. Price is important, but remember, these photographs will be your heirloom! If you need to take small amounts from other categories to beef up your photo budget, do so. It will be the only thing you have left after everything is said and done.

Here is something to consider with price:
For coverage only, no albums. This is based on my experience in Los Angeles only, so please no backlash from other states.

$1,500-$2,000
The majority of photographers fall into this budget range. The photographer will be okay and if they are really talented and good, they may not have a bunch of experience: 1-3 years. If they have a bunch of experience, they may be doing 50-100 weddings per year which means you will not get the best personal service before and after the wedding. You can also find very experienced photographers at this rate but they are only charging you for their time and you will have to pay for prints later. These are the more traditional photographers. These are just facts.

$2,500-$3,000
The photographer will be a good solid investment however they may only have 3-5 years of experience. You can find some artists at the $3,000 range. Mostly photojournalists who will shoot and give you the files and that is it.

$4,000-$5,000
More experience and camera understanding and more artists and portrait journalists than traditional photographers. You will get better service as these shooters tend to stay in the under 40 weddings a year range.

$6,000-$8,500
These photographers are a more full service breed. You start to get into artwork that you will want to blow up on huge canvases in your home. These are the word of mouth, better photographers who average 25-35 weddings per year.

$10,000 +
These photographers do only a select number of weddings per year and have a solid following. You will get impeccable service and photography at this rate (at least you SHOULD!)

$25,000-$50,000
These photographers are celebrity wedding shooters. Strictly word of mouth.

There is my 2 cents.
I fall in the $5,000-$7,000 range and the one thing I consistently hear over and over from my clients and their family is “I cannot believe how beautiful everything came out, you and your staff were so great at the wedding, and I am floored at how your attention to detail, even after the wedding, is so high.”
My biggest concern outside of killing myself to get “the shot” is to make sure my clients are enjoying their day. I am known to cry at the ceremony and laugh out loud during the reception all while shooting away trying to capture every definitive moment throughout the time I am there. My clients become my friends and I love every one of them. It is as important that I want to work with you as much as you want to work with me.
If you are looking for someone that will truly take care of you and give you phenomenal wedding photography, make sure your budget is in the $5,000+ range. You will be thankful when all is said and done.

Jen O’Sullivan
Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography
357 South Robertson Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310-494-6547
http://www.jenosullivan.com
jen@jenosullivan.com

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism. She is known for her beautifully captured emotion filled moments, stunning details, and imagery that has a storybook feel.

Jen O’Sullivan, LLC | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Wedding Advice to Brides: How to Tip

Jen — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:56:51 +0000

Tipping your vendors can be a bit tricky and a lot overwhelming. You have just paid for one of the most intense events you will probably ever throw and tipping after the party seems like an odd way to end the night. There are two options: 1. pre-tip or 2. have your best man or maid of honor dole out the tips in pre done envelopes. The problem with pre-tipping is you never know how the service is going to go. For my wedding we pre-tipped the cake person and our cake was the worst thing (monstrosity) ever! And we paid $10 per slice! I would have never even tipped him had I thought to do it after rather than before. If you choose option number 2, make sure the person doling out the tips knows who the envelope should go to. I have had this happen twice where the envelope was given to my assistant and not me. The first time it happened, my assistant knew better, and handed it right over. The second time, my assistant told me about it, but said that the person handed it to her and told her it was for her. So she kept it. A, hello??? The tip was more than I paid her for the night. Obviously the person who gave it to her was not clear as to who it should have gone to. Here is a list of service providers and the appropriate tips to consider:

Coordinator: 10-15% of the bill.

Caterer: most add in 18-20% and it is up to you if you want to give a tip above that.

Bartenders: 10% but make sure your guests are not tipping them. Place a sign at the bar if need be. It is in bad taste to have your guests tip anyone at your wedding.

Hair and Makeup: 15% of the bill

Limo driver: 15-20% of the bill but not more than $150

Music: $25 per band member or 15% of the bill for DJs

Cake: 15-20%

Officiant: considered inappropriate however a donated gift of $50 – $75 is welcomed.

Flowers: not normally tipped but if they do a really great job, 10-15% is welcomed.

Photographers: since I am a photographer, I will give you the inside scoop. Normally photographers are not tipped, however it is welcomed and I always feel really appreciated when my clients do tip me because only about 10% of them do, so they stand out in my mind. It can get a bit tricky tipping the photographer because it is a larger portion of your bill. You would not do a percentage but rather a flat value tip. $100 to $300 is what I normally get from my clients who want to tip me. Occasionally I will get flowers sent to me or a nice gift card. This is another way of thanking a vendor for an exceptional job done.

With all your specialists, remember, they are your team and without them the wedding would not be the day you dreamed about. If you are on a tight budget, a thoughtful handwritten thank you card after the day will go a long way!

Jen is a boutique wedding photographer based out of Beverly Hills, California.
She specializes in alternative, photojournalistic wedding photography and is known for capturing the unique definitive moments during your event.