Small Intimate Weddings for the most romatic couples
Hey Friends, My name is Janel and I am so glad that you have made it to this page. Let's start off with a little about me. The most important part of picking your elopement/wedding photographer is finding someone you can vibe with. Here we go! I am a huge advocate for all-day coffee. Yassss! If I can get away with wearing pajamas believe I am going to do it. My best friend is my dog, yeah he is a little spoiled. I love eating potatoes any kind of way you could imagine, Being outdoors in nature surrounded by wilderness is my favorite thing. I have never felt more at peace than I do when I am by myself in nature, exploring new areas. It is truly my happiest place. I am a huge introvert and need time by myself to reset. I am such a nerd and love laying around reading a good book. I love watching funny TV sitcoms like Friends, New Girl, and Schitt's Creek. Well enough about me, let's get to the part that is all about you. I can't wait to get to know you!
Janel
I'm
Get to know me!
You can expect me to help you with making a handcrafted timeline and and shot list to make sure that we get everything fit into the day that you are wanting. I offer many resources in the welcome packet to help you plan the rest of the day as well.
I will be there with you every step of the way helping to answer any questions that may come up along the way. I want to help take the stress off of you and reassure you that everything will work out just the way it is supposed to.
you expect?
What can
we're ready to book!
-Kacy Elder
“Janel has worked with us on two occasions now. The first was a random project for fun, and the second was our engagement photos. She gives great direction, is great at making even the most awkward and shy feel comfortable, and has exceptionally quality work!
Both David and I love the time we have spent working Janel, and we look at/look back at the photos she has done for us all the time! We can’t wait for the actual big day next year to work with you again. I just wish we lived closer together, so we could join in on the fun with her mini sessions from time to time! “ Alexandra Photography!”
Reviews
Raving
“Janel captured the joy of our wedding day perfectly! She caught the smiles, genuine reactions of our family, and somehow managed to get everyone's good side. My favorite thing about Janel's photo editing style is that nothing looks over processed or like it is following a photography trend. The photos and the people in them look natural and radiant. The greatest challenge yet was getting my photo-shy husband comfortable with having his photo taken. He has been telling his friends that she (Janel) made him look good. Janel has quickly become a friend, our family loved working with her and are looking forward to our next photo session. There is no one else I would trust to capture our most precious memories!”
-Hilary Dove
Reviews
Raving
“Janel, did a wonderful job. We used her talents for family photos and also our wedding. Myself and my family felt so comfortable on the big day. Janel went above and beyond to make sure we had all questions answered before hand. Helped me with organization of the day and did it all with enthusiasm and a smile on her face. We LOVED the final products of both shoots - the color enhancement and attention to detail was outstanding. Family photos, individual shots, weddings, or shots for whatever you want to celebrate and remember - go Janel Alexandra Photography!”
-Rachel Whitley
Reviews
Raving
ready to make some magic?
100% let's do it!
How the Magic Happens
01
Reach out to me
02
03
04
Schedule a Date
Session Day
Gallery Delivery
Simply click the button above and fill out the short questionnaire form so thata I can get to know more about what you want and need.
We will secure your date with the retainer fee, signing the contract and picking a date and time for your special day.
You just show up with a smile on your face and let me handle everything. You shouldn't have to worry about a thing.
You can expect sneak peeks as early as two weeks after your day and the full gallery delivery as early as 4 weeks.
What is a Small Intimate Wedding?
I often refer to Small Intimate Weddings as having no more than 50 guests, include a small bridal party and still have several events throughout the day. This can include things like the ceremony, dinner, reception, a small bridal party, etc. They usually last about 6 hours in total. The main difference in a small intimate wedding and a regular wedding is a smaller guest list so the couple can really upgrade their guests experience and spend some more intimate time making memories with just their closest friends and family. Usually these are held at a wedding venue as opposed to an adventure elopement on the side of a cliff or somewhere more exotic. This is such a great way to create an unforgettable experience for your wedding day.
What is a Micro Wedding?
Micro Weddings are…
These types of wedding generally have no bridal party, just a ceremony and some portraits and usually less than 20 people in attendance. These types of Weddings are generally to document your special day in front of a few loved ones while skipping most of the other traditional activities. They usually last around 2-4 hours. Most of people who choose this kind of wedding want to get married now without all the fuss or might even be planning a larger wedding for later on, after the world has calmed down or they have saved enough for their dream wedding. While these weddings skip most of the traditional things they can still include things like a toast, cutting of the cake, first dance, etc. Though these weddings skip a lot of things they are not any less of a wedding. You still get all the edited photos with the option to add on a video snapshot of the images to music of your choosing.
Who are Small Intimate & Micro Weddings for?
People generally spend more money on food and beverages at weddings than anything else. This allows people to upgrade the experience for a smaller amount for their closest friends and family.
You also, get to spend more time with each family member and guest. This creates more treasured memories for you and those in attendance.
Both these types of weddings are becoming increasingly more popular since the pandemic that turned the world upside down. Venues have put limitations on the amount of people allowed in one place and the amount of space they need to be able to have between them.
Who are Full Weddings for?
Full Weddings are for the couples that want the whole package. These usually include larger wedding guest lists, larger bridal parties and more family portraits, 6-10 hours of coverage, with all the traditions included and lots of coverage of the reception.
This type of wedding is for the couple that doesn't want to compromise on anything, they want the whole traditional package and lots of images of their loved ones having a blast dancing and hanging out at the reception.
What is a Pre/Post Wedding Day Session?
Unlike getting an engagement session 3-6 months before your wedding, a pre/post wedding shoot is where you do bridal portraits in your wedding attire in a more relaxed setting, usually outdoors in an epic location.
Most people opt for the post wedding day shoot because they prefer not to see each other fully dressed until after they have said their vows, traditionally. The other bonus for doing it after your wedding is that it won't matter if your dress gets a little dirty, you would have plenty of time to dry clean it, and your flowers are still fresh so you can use them again.
Either way you choose to do it, this is a beautiful way to have literally the best of both worlds. You can have your formal wedding with all your friends and family and you can have epic wedding pictures with more intimate moments between just the two of you.
Some couples even prepare more personal vows to read or have small traditions that are meant for just the two of them. There are so many things that you can do differently to totally maximize your wedding photos and you can even relive some of the best parts of your day but once again with just the two of you, this makes it even more special. All in all it really is a beautiful way to make the most of your wedding.
Most people opt for the post wedding day shoot because they prefer not to see each other fully dressed until after they have said their vows, traditionally. The other bonus for doing it after your wedding is that it won't matter if your dress gets a little dirty, you would have plenty of time to dry clean it, and your flowers are still fresh so you can use them again.
Either way you choose to do it, this is a beautiful way to have literally the best of both worlds. You can have your formal wedding with all your friends and family and you can have epic wedding pictures with more intimate moments between just the two of you.
Some couples even prepare more personal vows to read or have small traditions that are meant for just the two of them. There are so many things that you can do differently to totally maximize your wedding photos and you can even relive some of the best parts of your day but once again with just the two of you, this makes it even more special. All in all it really is a beautiful way to make the most of your wedding.
Unlike getting an engagement session 3-6 months before your wedding, a pre/post wedding shoot is where you do bridal portraits in your wedding attire in a more relaxed setting, usually outdoors in an epic location
What would we even do during a pre/post wedding day shoot?
You’ll smile. A lot. You’ll laugh, maybe cry (I usually do). You’ll have a whole adventure together that you enjoy every minute of.
Why should you do a pre-post wedding day session?
The biggest bonus of doing a pre/post wedding shoot is not having to cram all your bridal portraits into 30 minutes in the middle of your wedding day. Bonus you get more photos in a whole new beautiful location. It can cut down on so much stress and anxiety over little things not panning out the day of, which almost always happens. Then you can truly relax and enjoy the best day of your lives.
Plus you get to maximize those beautiful wedding clothes that you spent so much money on. You can even decide to go with an alternate style for your hair and make-up.
You can get adventurous photos as well as your beautiful wedding day photos. You can also get more creative with your poses to have way more variety without sacrificing any of your time with your guests. The best part is that in case of bad weather you can reschedule your bridal pictures so nothing gets sacrificed.
"yours is the light by which my spirit's born: yours is the darkness of my soul's return -you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars"
-E.E. Cummings
Back
At the end of the day it really is less about the amount of guests that you have and more about the activities you want to include. This just ensures that I will have enough time throughout the day to shoot everything that you are wanting. You can look at the general timeline to have a guide to decide how much time you will need. We can always add hours on later if needed.
How do you decide which session is the best option for you?
01.
Back
Generally no, the Micro Weddings are all about the ceremony and capturing those details with some pictures of your closest family and friends. The Small Intimate Wedding would work a lot better with all the extra traditions and bells and whistles.
Can I have a reception with a Micro Wedding?
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Yes absolutely, no matter which type of wedding package you choose you will get all the edited photos, with the option to add a video slideshow with songs of your choice. You get a print release form which gives you full rights to your photos once delivered. They will all be high-resolution digital images delivered in a password protected gallery.
Can I add a video snapshot for each type of session?
03.
Back
Yes and I highly suggest doing so! These sessions will give you the perfect mix of a wedding day with your family and friends while still giving you some epic photos with all the elopement vibes. They are the perfect addition to every package, especially if you have been on the fence about whether to scrap it all and elope.
Can I add a pre/post wedding day shoot to any package?
04.
Back
No these sessions just need to be done within a year of your wedding date to be valid. I know that you are busy and stressed prepping before the wedding and after the wedding usually headed for your honeymoon. I don't want to add fuel to the fire. You could even use this as a sort of 1 year engagement session for afterwards.
Do the pre/post wedding day sessions have to be the day before or after?
05.
Back
That is so simple just click the contact button and fill out the very short questionnaire and let me know you are wanting to hop on a consultation call. From there we will have a conversation where I can help you deduce the things that are most important to you and your partner, while helping to drown out the voices of those around you.
What if I am not sure what I want or need?
06.
asked questions
Frequently
What to expect
A walkthrough of the day
Here is an example of a timeline of a general wedding with some simple explanations of why I like to do things in this order. Keep in mind this is your day and you can arrange the timeline anyway that you like. Some of the things in this timeline you may not even be doing which is totally fine, this is just a general guideline. I customize every couple's timeline for the events they are doing and the order they want to do them in, with the time they need allotted for each event!
11:30- Photographer arrives and scouts the location
I like to arrive early and get acclimated to the location and find places to do big group shots and first looks.
12:00- Detail and dress shots
I like to have all these details in one place ready to go when I arrive so I can get started.
12:30- Groom Preparation shots and Groomsmen
The groomsmen can already be ready we will just recreate some of these shots. If we have time we will do some of the groom and
groomsmen here as well.
1:00- Bride Preparation shots and Bridesmaids
The bride will be ready to go except dress, shoes and jewelry. We will take shots of the bride putting all of these things on and the
bridesmaids and mom helping her.
1:30- First Look
I like to do first looks even if they are a little non traditional because we really get to focus on the grooms reaction here. Plus it
gives us time to get most of the portraits done right after that way the guests aren't waiting forever after the ceremony and we
aren't feeling rushed. This can be a super private moment.
1:45- Vows and Gifts
Some people opt to do their vows privately and share gifts during this time. I think this is super sweet.
2:00- Bride and Groom Portraits
We will do the bride and groom photos first to get them done and taken care of.
2:30- Bridal Party Portraits
Then I like to do the bridal party shots. I usually do the bridesmaids and then add in the groomsmen.
3:00- Family Portraits
A good way to get the family portraits done before the ceremony is to just ask the family members to be included in the photos to
arrive a little early. This takes the pressure off of having to get these done after the ceremony. I usually create a detailed shot list
of all the combinations that you want and have a volunteer call the names out to make this process go smoothly and quickly. Plus
it ensures we don't miss any photos that you want.
3:30- Ceremony
Ceremonies vary in the length and things involved during them. I always get all the major moments during this time. There is a
detailed list of things I shoot in the big questionnaire that you will fill out. There is a spot for you to add anything not mentioned
so that I don't miss a thing.
4:10- Bridal Party Announcements
The DJ will announce the bridal party entering the reception as I capture their entry.
4:20- First Dances
I will capture the bride and groom first dance, father and bride, mother and groom, and any other first dances you would like.
4:30- Speeches
I will capture any special guests giving speeches and the priceless emotions on your faces.
5:00- Dinner
For any wedding 6 hours or more I do require a dinner to keep my blood sugar from getting to low. I usually get served directly
after the bride and groom. I then scarf my food down (I promise it's not pretty) and then I take shots of all the decor, tables, cake,
gifts, signing book and all of those details.
5:30- Cake Cutting
We will get shots of the cutting of the cake and give people time to eat their cake, I will continue with decor shots.
6:00- Bouquet Toss
We will align everyone for the bouquet toss. I always do a few practice shots just to make sure we get it before you actually throw it.
6:15- Garter Toss
We will then do the garter toss, I also do practice shots before the garter is actually thrown.
6:30- Anniversary Dance
The DJ will usually announce the anniversary dance to get people on the dance floor. This is where all the married couples go on
the dance floor and dance until he announces how long they have been married. I have seen this go as far as 60 years which is just
beautiful.
8:30- Sunset photos with the bride and groom
I usually like to steal the bride and groom away for sunset photos. This gives the two of you a moment to yourselves in an already
hectic day. Plus the sunset is just so beautiful for photos.
9:00- Capturing all the fun on the dance floor
I don't mean to toot my own horn but I have a knack for being in the right place at the right time in these situations and get some
awesome shots. You will see me weaving through the dancing people on the floor to get the best shots.
10:00- Sparkler exit
If you plan on doing an exit this is a cool way to do it and always gives us some awesome shots. I will line up all the people in
position while someone hands out sparklers. I usually do a couple test shots with the first sparkler to make sure my settings are
correct. Then we have guests help light each others sparklers with the lit ones. Once they are all lit I instruct the couple to come
down. These are like walking shots where you look at each other, look at me, look at your guests. Then I will have you randomly
twirl, kiss and dip. We will do this several times until the sparklers burn out to get the best results.
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