We love getting ready photos. There’s so much to document… Details, smiles, tears, laughter, an emotional moment between Mother + daughter, Dad peeking in to see his beautiful daughter in her dress for the first time. It’s different at every wedding. The people that are closest are there to share in the excitement of preparing for your special day and we love to document that. Here are four tips you should consider about getting ready on your wedding day.
1. Choosing The Right Location
Planning for the perfect location to get ready should play a big part in your planning. Location, sentiment, space, the available light + clutter are all part of the big picture.
Location, location, location. You’d like to prepare for your big day at your parent’s house, a beautiful suite in a high end hotel, or even your own home, but what if it’s an hour away from your ceremony? Whatever the location, it should ideally be within a reasonable distance to the ceremony sight. If not, you may have to consider adding additional photography coverage as well as transportation service.
How about the light? Is the area bright and filled with natural light? We mean window light. Not light from lamps. In fact, we’ve been known to turn all the lights off in a room if there is enough available light. The room doesn’t have to be flooded with natural light, but sufficient light to not require artificial light. Natural light is what makes the magic happen.
And then space… Bridesmaids, Mothers, the flower girl and her Mom, stylists, the excited well-wishers… Is there enough room for the people that will be involved? It’s nice to have some elbow room. It allows for better angles and more opportunity for your photographer to capture those special moments.
Is there an adjoining room? Shoe boxes, suitcases, makeup bags and blow dryers can clutter the room when they are in the background. An adjoining room or even a room large enough to put everything to one side is a big help.
Does it have to be fancy? We don’t think so, but it should just make sense. We’ve created some beautiful images in a business travel hotel. They were clean, roomy, had some great window light, a mirror and were within a reasonable distance to the ceremony.
2. Planning
How long do you plan for getting ready? Enough. With some time to spare. All too often we see brides rushing around after hair + makeup is done to try to stay on schedule. You want to enjoy your day, not feel rushed like you’re late for work.
Who is going to be there? Be sure to let everyone know what the plan is. We find it best if the Bridesmaids are dressed and ready when we arrive. It’s a lot less hectic and it allows them to be available to help you.
If your Mom is going to help button or lace your dress, or help you with your jewelry, make sure she knows when to be there and to be dressed for the wedding. We’ve seen it, Mom’s been busy overseeing last minute details at the reception site and shows up with curlers in her hair, no makeup, jeans and tells us we better not take any pictures with her in them.
What should you have with you? Everything you might need including the dress, all your accessories… Jewelry, shoes, garter, something borrowed, a wedding invitation, and wedding bands if possible. Your photographer will most likely take detail pictures of these items in between capturing important moments of interactions in the room.
3. What to Wear
Weddings are an elegant affair. When your pictures are put together to tell a story, whether it be an album, slideshow or any other format, you want the getting ready pictures to compliment the story. Sweatpants, a hoodie with a logo or some old tee shirt (no matter how comfortable) are probably too casual. A pretty dress or robe which add elegance. Don’t forget to consider how easy it is to remove without disturbing hair + makeup.
4. Letting Go
So you don’t like your picture taken? Don’t like to be the “center of attention”? Well, it’s too late for that. You’re getting married. It’s your big day. It’s all about you and your fiance. Just be you. Ignore the fact that you are being photographed. The best pictures will be the ones you didn’t know were being taken.
Enjoy the people you have chosen to surround yourself with. Laugh, even cry a little. Have fun. Cherish every moment. Enjoy your day.
Planning a wedding is a huge task. As photographers, we feel there is more to it than being there to take pictures of those special moments at a wedding. We want a couple to get the most from their investment. The timeline is a big part of that. Take the time to plan the day out. Get in touch. Run it by us. We’d be happy to help.