Let The Day Begin!
The Getting Ready part of a wedding day really sets the stage for the entire celebration. That’s why I love sharing my favorite tips: to help couples plan a seamless morning for both the bride and groom while ensuring gorgeous, meaningful portraits.
The Getting Ready part of a wedding day really sets the stage for the entire celebration. This blog post will share Wedding Getting Ready Tips that will ensure a seamless morning of bride AND groom preparation and beautiful portraits!
There are a few important Wedding Getting Ready Tips to consider during this part of the day:
-Do you want to share a “first look” with a parent, grandparent, or any other person who plays a huge role in your life?
-Will you be exchanging gifts with anyone during this time?
-Are there certain women in your life who would appreciate seeing you get into your dress or suit?
-Where will your parents be during this portion?
-Do you want photos of you & your bridesmaids in your cute pajamas or robes?
The Details
Getting Ready details are the best! You’ve spent months, maybe even years, curating the perfect wedding day — from jewelry to your invitation suite, your “something borrowed,” to hair accessories — every little piece tells your story. That’s why I always share my favorite Wedding Getting Ready Tips with my couples, so they can have photos that feel as beautiful as the day itself.
Here’s a list of details I photograph most often:
-dress
-veil / hair pieces
-rings (all three)
-shoes
-bouquet
-jewelry
-perfume (bonus points if it matches your colour theme!)
-invitation suite
-old, new, borrowed & blue
Collect all of your details and put them in a box or bag before I arrive so that I can begin quickly and have more time for some “getting ready” shots of you and your girls!
Sometimes, depending on the theme and “look” of the wedding day, there may be some extra elements that you could include when you gather your details.
If you’re having a rustic themed wedding that includes some wooden elements, maybe save a small piece of wood for me to use when I’m shooting your rings and jewelry. This REALLY makes for beautiful, consistent album spreads!
Location Matters!
The location you choose to get ready in makes a HUGE impact on how your photos look overall — which is why it’s one of my top Wedding Getting Ready Tips.
Choose locations that are large enough for everyone to be comfortable, brightly lit with lots of windows, and light, neutral-coloured paint (no crazy bright orange or green walls!)
Take Madison and Richard’s wedding day for example! Both of them chose large spaces with a ton of windows. Their photos are bright, light and airy, which is exactly what we want!
When it comes to photos, light is everything. Bright, airy rooms make your skin glow, colours pop, and create that dreamy, fresh look everyone loves. Dark or dimly-lit spaces, on the other hand… not so much. They can make your photos look flat, dull, and sometimes even a little gloomy—no matter how stunning your dress or hair looks in real life.
So, when picking where you’ll get ready, look for rooms with lots of natural light: big windows, light-coloured walls, and open spaces. Even a simple change from a cozy dark hotel room to a sunlit suite can completely transform your photos. Think “sunshine” not “mood lighting.” Your photos will thank you!
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