WELCOME GUIDE
Reiley Costa Photography
HI MY FRIEND,
Can I just tell you how dang excited I am to be there on your wedding day? It is an honor and it means the world that you trust me to capture the beginning of your story in a way that you’ll want to remember it. Right now we are officially booked and counting down the days ‘till you’re married! If I were you, I’d be wondering what this whole wedding planning process is going to look like with my photographer. Well, this is what adventure with us three will be looking like for the next little while!
What You’re Doing
Currently - You’re booked! I have a short form for you to fill out so that I can keep your contact information on hand and get to know just a bit more about you and your future spouse
2-3 Months from the Wedding - You’ll get another questionnaire and guide from me to start thinking about you’re timeline! At this moment we will begin to plan a meeting (whether it’s in person or a phone call) to go over what you filled out on my questionnaire.
Wedding Day - You’re getting married!! All there is left to do for you is to sit back, enjoy all the hard work you’ve put into making this the best day ever, and begin the best story you’ll ever tell.
48 hours After - You’re enjoying the sweet married life, maybe you’re on your honeymoon, maybe you’re just at home. Either way life is good and you get a notification from me.
5-6 Weeks After - You’re still riding the high of being a newly wed. What else could you ask for? Other than your full gallery?
50+ years From Your Wedding - You’re still married, life is still good, but now you have your beautiful wedding gallery to be able to look through at any notice. You’ve downloaded, shared, archived, and made an album of your day. You’re looking back at these moments I’ve captured for you and you say, “oh yeah, thats just how I remembered it”
What Im Doing
Currently - I’m waiting for your new client form to come in, and counting down the days right along side you
2-3 Months from the Wedding - I am creating a photo specific timeline based off your questionnaire answers. I’m also organizing your family shot list (which is prompted in the questionnaire), and generally just here to answer any questions or address any concerns you have about the day.
Wedding Day - Today is the day! I show up on your day and serve you in any way I possibly can! Know that while you’re off getting married I am right next to you documenting this story unfolding before me.
48 Hours After - Shortly after your wedding, know that I am working hard to get you a sneak peak gallery of 50+ photos of your day so that you can begin reminiscing.
5-6 Weeks After - While you’re off being a newly-wedded couple I am pouring a lot of love and heart into your photos. Know that while your photos are in my hands, I am probably laughing, tearing up, and getting more and more excited to share your gallery with you. I try my hardest to get my couples their photos as soon as I can, but my guaranteed turn around time is 5-6 weeks.
50+ years From Your Wedding - At this point my work for you is done, but what my greatest hope and desire is that you are able to look back at your photos and have them feel nostalgic, yet still timeless. I want them to fill in gaps about your day where maybe your memory is started to get hazy or maybe you were not there to see that moment. My greatest wish for all of my couples in that in 50+ years when you’re still riding that sweet high from being married to your favorite person, your photos just scream ‘you’.
How and When You Can Reach Me
I have no preference over text or email, so whatever form is easiest for you will work for me!
Phone: (970) 342-4311
Email: reileycosta@gmail.com
(Also while you’re at it, follow me on instagram so I can see what you’re up to during this engagement period! @reileycosta)
March through November ~ 7 am -6pm
During my busier time I try and guarantee I will respond within 24-36 hours of your text or email. However this does exclude my wedding weekends that are spent prepping, photographing, and working on galleries for the couples who are getting married.
If you need anything from me and you happen to catch me during a weekend that I am documenting someone’s wedding, rest assured I will get back to you on the following Monday.
December through February ~ anytime my friend!
During this period of time I am generally more free than normal. I jokingly call it my ‘seasonal retirement’. Typically I am doing admin work, updating my forms, finishing up edits, or doing calls with my couples for that coming year.
During this time feel free to message me at anytime and still be assured that the 24-36 hour response time is true with the exceptions of my Winter/Spring wedding weekends.
A Few Colorado Vendors That I Love
Some Other Notes From Me To You
I could include a lot of things in this welcome guide that I think are very helpful, but as someone who has seen many weddings and also got married, here are some things I witnessed and I wish I would have been told (as a bride) candidly.
SHOULD I DO A FIRST LOOK OR WAIT?
This is totally up to you! Both are beautiful options, so here are some benefits to choosing one over the other: First Look - A first look really allows you to slow down your day and get some one-on-one time with your spouse. It can help calm nerves and also allow for family photos or bridal party photos before the ceremony! Waiting Until The Aisle - This option is most traditional and also tends to be what a lot of brides envisioned for their wedding day. It builds anticipation and all the emotions can tend to come out more authentically when your time to walk comes. It’ll also typically allow for more getting ready photos and detail shots as well.
DOWN THAT AISLE:
Not only have I witnessed as a photographer but I myself wanted to run down that aisle and get married so quickly. However brides, when you get to that top of the aisle, just take a moment to soak it all in. All eyes are on you, but yours eyes on are your spouse. You’re here, you’ve made it, nothing else matters now.
GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME:
Maybe this is just a me thing, but when I got engaged I wanted to get every single detail nailed down as soon as possible. And while you do want to be a bit speedy on some decisions, also know that ultimately your wedding will reflect your desires and personalities in the way that it should with time. Nothing truly good happens overnight, which should take a lot of pressure off your shoulders.
THE WEDDING DAY GOES BY QUICK:
I know, I know you’re so sick of hearing this. Your mom, your aunt, your grandma, heck even a stranger will tell you that your day will go by quickly. I got very tired of hearing this when I was engaged, but come the wedding day I was so naive to how fast it truly goes by. Unfortunately I don’t know how to counteract this, but I’ve been starting to think that maybe that is the point. You’re supposed to have this wonderful and beautiful day all while trying to soak in the moments yourself. But relax, thats why you hired me, so that I can help you re-live those moments later on when you have more time.
WHAT IF NOT EVERYTHING GOES TO PLAN?
As a Type-A girl, things not going according to plan can feel devastating. But what I told myself on my wedding day and what I tell my couples is that there is really only one goal for the wedding day, and that is to get married. You are almost guaranteed to have something not go to plan and that is okay, because you’re going to get married to the love of your life so what else could you ask for!?
I am so honored that I get to capture your day and document your love. I hope the info in this guide is helpful. I am here to help you in anyway I can throughout this process.
here for you always, -r