One of the biggest parts of your wedding day is the morning spent getting dolled up with your bridal squad. Sadly, it is also a portion of the day that is, more often than not, overlooked when it comes to photos. There are so many golden photo opportunities between waking up and heading to the altar, so why not put in a little time and effort into making sure your bridal suite is just as photo-ready as you?
Here are my 7 top tips for nailing those Pinterest-worthy photos.
Tip #1 - Location Matters
Where you're getting ready is probably the most important of all. You could be wearing a luxury designer dress with your hair and makeup looking absolutely fire, but if you're getting dressed in a cramped, dimly lit room with yellow carpets and granny wallpaper, you aren't doing yourself any favours.
Natural light and quiet, uncomplicated backdrops are the key criteria when selecting a getting-ready location. Think big windows, white walls and clean lines.
If you don't have a traditional bridal suite at your disposal, I would recommend booking a cute Airbnb in the area. You could also go the less traditional route and opt for something creative, like a natural light studio, a beauty salon or a restaurant with cool decor.
Tip #2 - Keep It Clean
With so many people sharing a space, things are bound to get messy. And while I’m all for embracing the chaos of the day as part of the story, I think we can agree that plastic cups and discarded undies don’t belong in a wedding album.
In order to avoid a cluttered background, designate a specific room for everyone’s bags, makeup and toiletries to be stored in (even if you just shove it behind the bathroom door). You can easily make a busy backdrop a bit more gentle on the eye with a few simple hacks. Remove any pillows and blankets with loud and distracting patterns from the beds, keep food and platters in the kitchen, unplug charger cables where they are visible and swap out plastic water bottles for reusable ones or matching mugs.
Tip #3 - Set the Mood
On one of the biggest days of your life, you want to be surrounded only by the people who are going to bring positive vibes, make you feel calm and relaxed and shower you with compliments all day long. You also want to create an environment where everybody is in high spirits, which can easily be achieved with a killer soundtrack.
I always recommend creating a getting-ready playlist and have music playing throughout the morning. You can start off with some lo-fi jazz to make you cool and calm and build up to your favourite 80's anthems to get the dance party going.
Tip #4 - Keep Some Moments Private
Pre-wedding jitters are real. You absolutely have the right to select only one or two people to help you get in your dress, for example your mom, sister or MOH. Make sure you let your photographer know who you would like to have present for this intimate moment, so that they can kindly ask anyone else to wait outside for the big reveal. I can guarantee that the photos will be worth it.
Tip #5 - Make Time for Bridal Portraits
The first half of your wedding day is by far the most relaxed and slow-paced. Once your dress is on and the nerves start setting in, it’s a whirlwind of events and before you know it, you’re sitting at your reception table with a glass of bubbly in hand. For this reason, I love to make time to get a few bridal portraits of you before the ceremony, while your hair and makeup is still on point and your mascara isn’t runny from all the happy tears.
Tip #6 - Snap a Few Lingerie Pics While You're At It
A full-blown boudoir shoot may not be for you, but I’m willing to bet that you’ve got one or two gorgeous pairs of intimates packed in your honeymoon suitcase. You’ve gone to all the trouble and paid top dollar for it, so why not show them off? I can guarantee your S.O won’t complain either.
Tip #7 - Prep the Night Before
Lastly, preparation is the best way to avoid last-minute rush and missed photos. More than anything, you want to wake up feeling calm and collected knowing that everything is all set and ready to go.
Make sure that dresses are steamed and hung on hangers. Pack a separate bag specifically for all the goodies you will need the night before and morning of your wedding. If you're a sentimental soul, remember to pack any stationery and/or heirlooms that you would like to have photographed.
And most importantly - don't leave the fake tan until the last minute! Patchy skin and orange hands are *not a vibe*.
I hope these tips have sparked some excitement in you for your own getting-ready photos! What are some tips you have from your own experience as a bride or bridesmaid? Leave a comment below.