3 Tips for Taking Wedding Day Getting Ready Photos That Will Take Your Breath Away
From that first champagne toast with your bridesmaids until your mom helps you into your wedding gown, the time you spend getting ready on the morning of your wedding is filled with memorable moments. Moments you’re going to want to relive for decades to come. So, let’s make sure the photos immortalizing them are picture perfect!
It doesn’t take a lot of money or time to ensure your getting ready photos are beautiful. It just takes a little bit of extra planning. And by following these three tips, you’ll have unbelievable getting ready photos you will be thrilled to print and share!
Choose the perfect spot
Preparation for breathtaking getting ready photos actually starts well before your wedding day! It all begins with the location you choose to designate as the getting ready space. As venues become more familiar with couples’ and photographers’ wishes, they’ve started to select their getting ready spaces more intentionally. But if your coordinator or venue wants to send you into a closet to get ready, just say NO!
Choosing a beautiful space flooded with natural light will make all the difference in your getting ready photos. Photographers have to work with what they are given on a wedding day. So, the best thing you can do is give them a stunning canvas where they can truly work their magic! Choose a hair salon with massive windows or opt for a room at your venue without dark, busy carpeting or wallpaper. Prioritizing light and simplicity when finding your getting ready space are essential to incredible photos!
Keep things tidy
Who wants a pile of purses, coats, and bags in the background of their wedding morning mimosa toast photos? No, thanks! A neat, clean backdrop for your getting ready images elevates them instantly. But you’re definitely not going to want to spend even 10 minutes on the morning of your wedding cleaning up a mess. And neither will any of your bridesmaids. So, skip the need to clean by choosing a Stuff Spot at your getting ready location!
Whether you choose a closet, corner, or separate room, just make sure it’s out of sight as you’re getting your hair and makeup done. And please don’t choose the space with the most beautiful lighting! Once you’ve chosen your Stuff Spot, make sure all the clutter is placed there from the moment you arrive. And just like that, you’ll have mess-free getting ready photos without any extra work!
Schedule some wiggle room
You may have had your hair and makeup done for prom, but let me tell you what…wedding hair and makeup is a whoooole different ballgame! To ensure your stylists don’t have to rush, I recommend scheduling in an hour more than you think you’ll need for hair and makeup. Yep, a whole hour! This way, you won’t have to stress about finishing on time, and your bridesmaids won’t get a hair and makeup rush job. You’ll also be able to fix any makeup mishaps calmly!
Scheduled wiggle room means plenty of time for breakfast, coffee, water, and enjoying the morning with your best friends! And this is when the best getting ready photos are taken. As you giggle, hug, and soak in every precious moment, I’ll be snapping away with my camera. When you look back at these candids, you’ll see joy instead of stress, anticipation instead of worry. And if you finish up early? Great! That just means we have more time to take posed photos with your girl gang! Then, best of all, you’ll get to relax and make some incredible memories with your best friends before the festivities begin!
And as easy as 1, 2, 3, you can have a gallery full of gorgeous getting ready photos without a lot of fuss! All you need to do is choose the right location, keep the space tidy, and schedule plenty of wiggle room in your wedding day schedule.
Want more quick, easy tips like these as you count down to your wedding day? I’ve got so many more to share! I cover everything — from how to create your family formals shot list to how to decide whether or not you should plan a first look — right over here! Enjoy!
