Preparing for your Wedding Day Getting Ready Photos

The first part of every wedding day is preparing the details and getting ready for photos with your bridal party in a private suite. It’s important to prepare for this so that taking photos feels stress-free.

About the NJ wedding photographer

I am, Miranda Suess, a New Jersey wedding photographer, and one of my favorite parts of a wedding day is photographing the preparations of the bride and her partner before they see each other. Many emotions are happening, and the bride glows with beauty.

My wedding photography style during bride and groom preparations is guided, posed, and candid. Sometimes I add a little creativity if we have the time. I guide my subject on where to stand for the best photo composition and light so the photos look high quality and professional. However, the moment is real. Like when they do first looks, open gifts or when someone is helping put on the veil. I will sometimes guide the bride on where to place her hands and remind her to roll her shoulders for better posture. This is so they feel confident that they look great in their photos!

Watch behind the scenes: https://youtu.be/FWyZ4OgKgmc 

 

The timeline for wedding day getting ready photos

45 MIN | Detail shots of the invitations, shoes, rings, something old borrowed blue & new

30 MIN | Fun matching robe/pj shots with bridal party

10 MIN | Opening gifts/letters & the bridal party gets dressed

30 MIN | Get into the wedding dress

20 MIN | First look with parents & bride portraits

15 MIN | Buffer before the first look

 

Prepare for the photographer’s arrival

One of the reasons why wedding photography runs behind schedule is due to the hair and makeup being delayed. I try to share with my brides to please tell your beauty team to have you ready 30 minutes before we start photos, that way if they are delayed they can relax and have you ready at the right time.

Beauty Team

When the photographer arrives, it can be stressful for the hair and makeup team as they have to complete the beauty work before the photoshoot. However, I usually arrive early on wedding days to set up and take detail shots. I make it a point to reassure the beauty team that they are doing a great job and that everyone looks gorgeous. I also inform them that I will begin taking photos in about 45 minutes. This helps them relax and take a breather. Typically, the hair and makeup team has 45 minutes to an hour to finish up their work when I arrive.

Details Shots

Before a wedding photographer arrives for preparation photos, please have the following items in a labeled box to have photos taken of it.

• Two copies of the invitation suite
• Two sets of stamps/wax seals
• Loose flower petals or stemmed flowers (not the bouquet, but the same colors used on the wedding day)
• Both sets of rings & engagement ring
• Ring box
• Dress hanger
• Anything personalized
• Jewelry
• Shoes
• Cufflinks
• Watch
• Vows
• Something borrowed
• Something blue
• Something new
• Something old
• Perfume/Cologne
• Get more ideas on Amazon

Important reminders

• Keep the area near a window clutter-free. If you see a full-length mirror, check all angles to ensure what is in your line of sight is free of clutter
• Unstuff/steam the wedding dress and veil before hair and makeup
• If possible, plan to have the beauty team set up in a different room – not where you plan to take photos with the dress
• Bring a professional steamer and have someone in charge of steaming the dresses. Preferably before hair and makeup as the steam can ruin the beautician’s work.
• If possible, choose a room without an air conditioning unit in the window
• If possible, have catering setup in a room that’s not in the room where you plan to take photos
• Remind whoever it is (like mother) to be completely ready before you put on your dress
• Limit the use of drinking alcohol, hydrate, and snacks!

How to prevent bloating on your wedding day

• Hydrate
• Avoid carbonated drinks
• Avoid chewing gum
• Avoid fatty fried or salty foods
• Eat ginger
• Take probiotics vitamins or try going all natural: kombucha, yogurt, pickles
• Eat slowly
• Avoid straws

---