Wedding Morning Tips: A Photographer’s Guide to Bridal Preparations
When you look back at your wedding gallery years from now, your bridal preparation photos will be some of the most emotional and story-rich images in your collection. They’re the beginning of the narrative – the quiet before the aisle, the laughter with your favourite people and the start of your wedding day story.
Here’s my guide and top wedding morning tips for bridal preparations, to help you get the most out of your photos while fully enjoying the morning too.
Choosing the Right Getting-Ready Space
Your prep location really sets the tone for your photos and the two biggest factors are space and light.
CLUTTER FREE
Hair and makeup will likely want to spread out a little, so it really helps to keep the rest of the room as tidy as possible. Clutter free spaces photograph so much better and, while I will always do my best with clearing space and finding the best angles, starting with a reasonably tidy area makes a huge difference.
NATURAL LIGHT & WINDOWS
If you have the choice, try to choose a room with large windows and lots of natural light coming through. Natural light is always the most flattering and helps create soft, bright photos like the ones you see throughout my work.
CONSIDER ADDITIONAL PHOTO LOCATIONS
If space is limited or lacking in natural light, you might want to consider a second room or additional space purely for photos. This doesn’t have to be a bedroom – it could be a beautiful lounge, hallway or even outside in the gardens. We can then move across into that second location for dress photos, reveals, and bridal portraits.
Details That Tell Your Story
When I first arrive you will likely be deep in hair and makeup. It’s a great time for some candid photos of your wedding party, alongside scene setting photos, your dress and your ‘details’!
BRIDAL DETAILS
If you’d like your bridal details photographed, please keep these to one side ready for when I arrive. Having everything together means I can style and photograph them quickly without disturbing your morning. Consider including your jewellery, hair accessories (including veil) perfume, invitation suite (two copies if possible), rings, gifts and any keepsakes or heirlooms that are special to you. I’ll usually gather your shoes and bouquet if available too. Some brides also ask for additional florals to include too.
THE DRESS
If you’d like photos of your dress hanging, you may want to bring a nice hanger. It doesn’t need to be personalised, but a wooden hanger photographs far better than thin, see through plastic.
CARDS & GIFTS
If you’re planning on opening cards, exchanging gifts or any surprises, please try to save these until I’ve arrived. These are such lovely moments to have documented – although you may want to consider doing them before your makeup is fully finished… just in case there are a few tears.
timing is everything
THE ONE HOUR DRESS RULE
Building breathing room into your morning makes the biggest difference – not just for photos, but for how the morning feels for you too.One of my biggest wedding morning tips for brides is to aim to be putting your dress on around one hour before you are due to leave, with bridesmaids dressed before you as well. I know this may sound far too early, but from experience this final hour is often the most hectic and when the majority of your morning photos are taken, both candids and portraits. You don’t want to feel like you’re running out of time at the last minute.
DON’T FORGET TO PLAN FOR
If you’re being married by registrars, remember you’ll usually need to meet with them around fifteen minutes before the ceremony begins. You’ll also need to factor in any travel time between your prep location and ceremony venue when planning your morning timeline. If you do end up with a little time to spare, you can enjoy a relaxed drink with your bridal party, alongside a quiet moment to pause and take it all in before the day truly begins.
Portraits & Reveals
Once you’re in your dress, the last 45 minutes is when the bulk of your photos will happen.
BRIDAL PORTRAITS
For bridal portraits, I don’t need you for long – just a few calm minutes in nice light to create some beautiful images. I’ll most likely use window light, but if time allows, a staircase or even the gardens can work beautifully too.
REVEALS
If you would like a dress reveal or ‘first look’ with a family member or bridal party, I can help organise this for you. These moments always lead to such genuine, emotional photographs and are really special moments to include in your gallery.
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
If time allows, we can capture a few family and bridal party photos before you leave as well. This can help free up time later, during your drinks reception, and alson ensure we get some beautifully calm photos with your family and bridal party before the pace of the day kicks off.
quick fire tips!
- Bring a speaker and make a playlist filled with songs that reflect how you want to feel on the morning of your wedding day – calm and emotional or upbeat and party-ready.
- Make sure you are not the last person to have their hair and make up done, Incase timings over run, you do not want to be the last in the chair!
- If you have a dress that is open at the back, take your bra off early to avoid strap marks. Same for hairbands on wrists and socks around ankles!
- If your flowers arrive in water, take them out around 30 minutes before leaving to allow stems to dry (or have a small towel handy).
- Steam dresses the night before to avoid heat and humidity in the prep room.
- Drink lots of water and eat something so your stomach is lined.
- Have a practice run getting into your dress with whoever is helping you. Same if you have a veil, although HMUA will often help with this if still around.
- If your dress has lots of fiddly buttons on the back, tack a crochet hook. This can save a lot of time!
- If your shoes are stilettos or very high, I recommend bringing a more comfortable pair of block heels as a backup. They don’t need to be fancy—just something you can change into if your feet get sore or if we need to walk on grass for portraits.
- Pack a small emergency kit (although I carry many of these!). My recommendations include: a sewing kit, safety pins, scissors, heel stoppers, plasters, stain remover, body tape, lip balm and hair grips. Just incase!
above aLL... relax and enjoy!
It’s lovely to plan and think about all the small details I’ve spoken about above but, on the day, don’t stress. You can let it all go out the window. The most important thing is that you enjoy yourself, soak in being surrounded by your favourite people and embrace the anticipation of the day ahead. Put on some great music, pop open some fizz and just enjoy every minute. This part of the day is so special and it goes by far quicker than you realise. So be present and have fun!
all images @lucydarbyphotography
If you’re planning your wedding day and love the feel of these images, I would love to hear from you!
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