Top 8 Getting Ready Tips for Wedding Photography

Getting ready pictures..some of the sweetest moments before getting married. But usually this is the least planned out part of the wedding as well. We all want those amazing pictures but don’t exactly know how to get them. So I took some time to collect the top 8 tips to help you get those awesome getting ready pictures. I thought that I would share some of these tips for all brides out there for getting ready pictures.

1. Wear something you would want to be photographed in! If you are wearing an old stained sweatshirt then that’s going to be in all of your pictures! A nice white robe or dress looks great in pictures. Also find something that is not going to ruin your hair and makeup when you take it off!

2. Think about the space where you are getting ready! The more natural light in the room.. the better! If you are picturing very elegant getting ready pictures..then look for an elegant space to get ready in!

3.  Keep the room as clean as you can! Some brides assign a bridesmaid to be in charge of that. If there are water bottles all over the room, they are going to be in pictures!

4. Have all your details together in one spot. Have your shoes, bouquets, rings (all 3!), earrings, necklace, veil, dress, bracelets, garter, hairpieces, full invitation, and any other details in one area. Ask a bridesmaid to take the jewelry out of the little bags and boxes so they are ready to be photographed!

5. Get a nice hanger for your dress! Even a nice wooden hanger looks nicer than the plastic hangers that the dresses come on. Or even get a specialized hanger for your dress if you wanted (check Etsy!)!

6. Make sure to plan for time for these pictures and time for a few pictures of just the bride. The last thing you want to feel is super rushed right before your wedding. So plan enough time to get all the pictures you want. Talk to your wedding photographer about how much time they recommend! I usually want a bare minimum of 45 minutes-1 hour  to shoot details/candids and 30 minutes for getting the dress on (depending on the style of dress and more time is always welcome!).

7. By the time you are getting your dress on, everyone should be ready. Your mother should be in her dress for the day and all of your bridesmaids in their dresses. This way when we get pictures of you getting into your dress, everyone is all set to go!

8. If you want photographs of the guys getting ready, most hire a second shooter for the day. This way I can focus all my attention on the bride and my second shooter can focus all his/her attention on the groom.

I have really come to LOVE the getting ready pictures. To me those shots of the dress hanging and all the other details add so much beauty to the day. It does require a bit of thought beforehand to make sure you get the most amazing shots possible!