Tips for the Best Getting-Ready Captures

Most brides will say that getting ready with her ‘maids was one of the most memorable parts of the entire wedding day. On the morning of, there’s nothing more fun than gathering your girls for breakfast, cocktails, primping, and quality time. To make this time even more special, you’ll want to ensure that you’re getting ready in a way you’d want to be captured on camera.

How you do that is entirely up to you. For some brides, asking their bridal party to dress in coordinating attire is the ticket. For others, it means gifting everyone a personalized shirt or robe to wear while they have their hair and makeup done. Others, still, may choose to get glammed up in a unique place, like the bride’s childhood home or her favourite spa. No matter what you wear or where you get ready, it’s important to remember that this will be a highly-photographed time. After all, you’re not just creating memories on your wedding morning; you’re saving them, too. That’s why it’s so important that you all look and feel great by the time the photographer enters the bridal suite.

Since your pro will be documenting the wedding morning, you should do a few things to ensure these getting-ready snaps are as stylish as can be. To be sure your pre-wedding photos are worthy of a spot in your album, we asked photographers and planners to share their top tips for the bridal suite. From removing hair elastics and ensuring there’s great lighting to cleaning up the space and steaming everyone’s attire, these expert-approved pointers will guarantee your day is flawless from start to finish.

Dress Your Bridesmaids First

Always dress your ‘maids first! That way, the photos of you stepping into your dress are free from distractions and everyone looks their best!

Make it Personalized

There are many options available for personalized getting-ready attire, and it can be such a special touch for you and your bridesmaids! I love this element because I’m always looking to tell a story through my work, and I look for these personal details to play a role in the visual story.

Clean it Up

Clean up the room! Everything from water bottles to yesterday’s outfits adds unwanted clutter to the background of your pictures. If you are getting dressed in the bedroom, make sure the bed is made and the room is tidy.

Remove Extra Accessories

Don’t forget the little things—remember to get rid of hair ties on your wrists, fitness watches, and funky jewelry that you won’t actually be wearing during the ceremony.

Break Out the Steamer

Make sure to have all getting-ready outfits pressed, ironed, or steamed before putting them on. Having the clothing on hangers with name tags corresponding to appropriate sizes for each person also increases the presentation of these items as a gift to your bridal party. This small detail makes a big difference—you don’t want wrinkled clothing to distract from the beautiful people in the photos!

Light it Up

“Lighting makes all the difference, so be sure to discuss your options with your photographer and planner. For example, if you are drawn to natural light photography, make sure the getting ready rooms provide enough light for the type of photography you are looking for.”

Credit: Martha Stewart