We recently connected with Jackie Reinking and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jackie, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for our business really grew out of a deep love for New York City and the shared passion Sascha and I have for orchestrating pivotal, intimate moments in people’s lives. We’ve lived in NYC for 25 years, and over time, we fell in love with the idea of the city as the perfect backdrop for love stories. It’s a place where anything feels possible, and eloping here really embodies that feeling of something truly personalized with a new feeling of freedom and excitement.
Jackie & Sascha, the New York City Elopement Team, was born from a combination of our talents—Jackie’s award-winning experience as an officiant and planner, and Sascha’s as a renowned wedding photographer. The idea struck us when we saw how many couples were looking for something personal, something that could take the stress out of planning their elopement in NYC. We realized we could offer them more than just services—we could offer an entire experience.
We base our entire approach on something Maya Angelou once said: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote perfectly encapsulates what we strive for with every couple. It’s not just about the logistics or even the beautiful photos. It’s about how we make them feel on one of the most important days of their lives—seen, understood, and celebrated. We want them to look back and remember the joy, the ease, and the magic of their wedding day.
Sascha’s award-winning photography, has long been known for capturing the essence of a couple’s relationship and love against the iconic streets and landmarks of New York. His eye for detail and ability to make couples feel at ease in front of the camera is what sets him apart. Combining that with Jackie’s passion for storytelling, officiating, warmth and logistics, we knew we had something special to offer. Couples from around the world dream of eloping in New York, but they often don’t know where to start with all the details—photography, officiating, flowers, location, makeup, transportation. It can be overwhelming, especially from afar. That’s where we come in, offering everything in one place with over 20 years of experience behind us.
We were solving a problem that no one else was fully addressing—creating a stress-free, all-inclusive elopement experience that truly reflects the couple’s personality. We take pride in not only simplifying the logistics but also crafting an unforgettable day. Whether it’s Sascha capturing those magical candid moments or me helping couples navigate their vows, we both play a crucial role in turning their elopement dreams into reality.
What excites us most about this business is that it’s not just about offering services—it’s about creating experiences that celebrate love in one of the most iconic cities in the world. The energy of New York, combined with our unique touch as a husband-and-wife team, makes what we do incredibly rewarding. We’re not just solving problems; we’re helping couples write the first chapter of their marriage story in a way that feels magical and effortless. That’s what gets us up in the morning—knowing we’re making a difference in people’s lives, one love story at a time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who may not be familiar with us, we are Jackie & Sascha, the New York City Elopement Team—a husband-and-wife duo who have spent over 20 years building a life, a family, and a business together. We specialize in creating unforgettable elopement experiences in New York City for couples from all around the world. Our story began with a shared love of NYC and all things love, and our partnership has grown into both a personal and professional journey. Together, we’ve built a life we love, complete with our wonderful daughter, Lucy and our dog, Walter.
Our elopement business is a true reflection of who we are. Sascha’s passion for photography and my love for officiating and planning weddings are the perfect blend for couples seeking an stress-free, personalized elopement in the heart of New York City. We fell in love with this city years ago and knew it was the perfect place to help other couples create their own love stories. Sascha’s skill in capturing candid, heartfelt moments and my dedication to ensuring every detail is handled combine to make us a dynamic team that creates seamless, beautiful experiences for our clients.
One of the things that sets us apart is our focus on making the entire process effortless and enjoyable for the couples we work with. Our all-inclusive packages cover everything—photography, officiating, flowers, makeup, transportation, and even help with the legal paperwork. Although, it’s so much more when you book with #TeamReinking. We also invite you into our lives and make you part of the family.
We’re most proud of the connections we build with the couples we serve. We’ve received countless heartfelt messages from couples who tell us how effortless and magical their day was, and how much they’ll treasure the memories and photos for years to come. Knowing that we’ve played a part in their special day, and that they’ll always remember how it felt, is what keeps us passionate about what we do.
For anyone considering working with us, the most important thing to know is that we’re here to make your elopement as personal and stress-free as possible. We bring our years of experience, our love for New York City, and our family values to every elopement we plan. Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet, intimate ceremony in Central Park or a vibrant celebration in the middle of Times Square, we’ll be by your side to ensure it’s everything you’ve envisioned—and more.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Our story feels a little different, but since our business is all about love, it seems fitting to share how we met. Like many of the couples we marry today, we met online—but with a twist. We found each other on Craigslist, back before things got a little sketchy on there! In fact, Sascha loves to joke that he found his first apartment in NYC, his guitar, and his wife on Craigslist.
It didn’t take long for us to fall in love. It was like a real-life movie moment where my world turned upside down—and as it turns out, Sascha’s world turned upside down too. He often says, “That redhead was the best thing that could have happened to me!” Two years later, we tied the knot in a tiny church in Germany, after first adopting our sweet puppy. A few years down the line, our daughter Lucy came into our lives, completing Team Reinking.
There’s a particular memory that stands out when we talk about how we got here. One day, while we were still dating, I asked Sascha how much he loved me. Without hesitation, he said, “To the moon and back.” As our relationship deepened, his answer evolved: “Three times to the moon and back,” he’d say. “Four times!” The numbers just kept climbing. One day I asked him how much he would need to love me to marry me. Without missing a beat, he answered, “85 times to the moon and back.”
Fast forward to August 2004, when Sascha flew out to visit me in Los Angeles. After a wonderful day together, we found ourselves at a quirky restaurant on the beach in Malibu. We decided to take a sunset stroll along the water. As we sat on a blanket watching the sun dip below the ocean, Sascha, always full of surprises, hid a small glass bottle with a message inside in the wet sand. With a little nudge from him, I discovered the bottle and uncorked it to reveal the scroll inside. It read, “I love you 85 times to the moon & back.” By the time I looked up, Sascha was on one knee, holding a ring. And of course, I said yes.
On November 3, 2006, we became husband and wife, and since then, we’ve built both a family and a business rooted in love. To this day, Sascha still tells me he loves me 85 times to the moon and back, and now he gets to tell our daughter Lucy the same thing. This story, filled with love, surprises, and laughter, shapes everything we do. And just as we’ve lived our own love story, we cherish helping couples create their own unforgettable memories, whether they’re getting married in the city we love, New York, or wherever their love takes them.
So, that’s our story.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media is definitely a journey, but sometimes, opportunities just fall into your lap. One of our most unexpected social media moments was “The Zach Braff Photobomb”—yes, really!
It happened during the photoshoot portion for a lovely couple we planned an elopement for, Verena and Michael. As we toured the city, they asked for one of Sascha’s signature street shots in Times Square. Little did we know, the shot would have an unexpected guest: Zach Braff. Sascha didn’t even realize it at first! It wasn’t until he was editing the photos later that night that he noticed a familiar face in the background. To confirm, Sascha posted the photo in some photography Facebook groups, and the consensus was clear—it looked like Zach Braff. So, he decided to tweet it to him, playfully saying, “Sir, I think you photobombed my newlywed couple the other day in New York. :) Well played…”
That’s when things went wild. Zach Braff himself retweeted the image to his 1.3 million followers, and Sascha’s phone started buzzing like crazy. The photo went viral—thousands of retweets, shares, and comments flooded in, and even BuzzFeed, The Today Show and FStoppers picked it up. It was an unexpected whirlwind, but an amazing example of how social media can amplify those serendipitous moments.
While there’s definitely more to building an audience than viral moments like this, the key takeaway is to take advantage of every opportunity. You never know what might take off, so put yourself out there, engage with your followers, and have fun with it! Consistency, authenticity, and seizing those unexpected chances are all crucial when you’re building your presence. And who knows? Maybe your next big moment is just around the corner!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jackieandsascha.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saschareinkingphoto?igsh=NzZ3cWxrNWhlYXFh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackieandsascha
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JackieandSascha
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@newyorkweddings?_t=8qSVxdEZhU6&_r=1
https://love.saschareinking.com
Image Credits
Sascha Reinking Photography