Hey there - I’m Jordan, a professional wedding photographer and I love weddings! One of my favourite times during the wedding day is, without a doubt, the bride getting ready photos. With the hair and makeup artist perfecting the look that is just you, the bridesmaids buzzing around with excitement, and the anticipation building up for the big moment, there is so much emotion and beautiful moments to capture. In this article, I want to share some tips on ensuring your bridal party getting ready photos turn out amazing.

Top Tips from a Professional Wedding Photographer

A Tidy Room

Wherever you decide to capture your getting-ready moments, let's make sure your photos are picture-perfect by tidying up any stray socks or shopping bags! I always suggest having your friends do a quick sweep before the wedding photographer arrives - trust me, you'll be glad you did! It's all about those beautiful, authentic moments, and a little prep goes a long way.

Light-filled Rooms

When you're picking your wedding venue and can't quite decide which one you love more, think about how much natural light fills the rooms—whether it's the ceremony spot, the getting-ready room, or the wedding breakfast area. Trust me, light is a photographer's best friend, and its difference is like night and day! I've seen it firsthand, and the glow it brings to photos is simply magical. For the best wedding photography bride getting ready photos, you'll want to position yourself as close to natural light as possible to get those light and airy shots.

Allow More Time

I've seen it time and time again—getting married is such an exciting journey, and a bride getting ready should savour every moment. Trust me, deciding when to start your bridal prep can set the tone for the entire day. Get this right, and your big day will start smoothly. There's so much to enjoy—catching up with bridesmaids you haven't seen in ages, marvelling over the dress, the hair, the makeup, the finishing touches. And let's not forget those precious getting-ready shots! To allow yourself to embrace the process, give yourself an extra hour to ensure unrushed candid moments.

Getting Ready for Wedding Photos

But don't Rush!!

I usually arrive about two hours before your ceremony kicks off to capture those special getting-ready moments of both the bride and significant other. So ideally, save some of the final touches for when I get there! Sure, we can stage some shots, but I truly love capturing those real, spontaneous moments as they unfold. Instead of focusing on taking many traditional and staged photos, I emphasize the importance of capturing genuine and candid moments that reflect the true essence of your day.

Champagne

Get your bridesmaids to pick up some cheap bottles of fizz so we can spend the morning toasting and cheering; they make for great photos before you slip into your wedding dress. Be sure the flower girls aren't sneaking a sip!

Extra Details

If there are certain details that you'd like to capture, don't forget to let your photographer know! We always make sure to get the essentials like the shoes, the wedding dress, and the engagement ring, but there may be a few photos that hold a special place in your heart. Maybe it's your grandmother's handkerchief, the earrings you've worn on every special occasion, or a secret message stitched into the groom's suit. For my blog on fine bridal details, click here.

Getting Ready for Wedding Photos Playlist

Set a playlist in the background as you prepare for the wedding day. It can help set the tone, ease the tension and create a fun atmosphere. Trust the chief bridesmaid to put one together, or do it yourself.

Wedding Gifts

Surprise your bridesmaids with thoughtful gifts, which can make for a lovely photo. Of course, there's no need to be too extravagant, but beautiful small trinkets to say thanks will go a long way in those bridesmaid photos.

The Big Reveal: for the bridesmaids

Finally, don't forget about the big reveal! Whether you're doing a first look with your significant other or sharing a special moment with your parents or bridal party, this is a great opportunity for some emotional and candid shots. Make sure to communicate with your photographer beforehand so they can capture these moments perfectly.

The Big Reveal: for the Father of the Bride

This is a moment where tears WILL flow but one of my favourite moments in the whole day. A real sense of pride and emotion is in the air as a father sees his little girl grown up on her wedding day.

Wedding Dress Getting Ready Photos

Your hair and makeup look fabulous, your bridesmaids are absolutely stunning, and you feel like a million bucks. You've exchanged heartfelt gifts, and now the spotlight is on the star of the day - your wedding dress. But wait, it's hanging next to your gorgeous shoes on a plastic coat hanger from Matalan! If you have a moment and a bit of creativity, consider getting a beautiful, bespoke hanger that matches the rest of your aesthetic. These little finishing touches make such a difference to your wedding photography bride getting ready photos.

Wedding photography bride getting ready photos with Mom

A few candid or posed portraits with your mother are a must. Helping the bride put on the dress, touching up her makeup and sharing a few quiet moments make for great getting-ready photos.

Groom wedding Photography: Getting Ready

It's no secret that guys can get ready in a heartbeat – it's a skill that always amazes us girls! Because of this, I don't need as much time with the groom and his crew, but I truly enjoy the relaxed vibe of their prep time. Honestly, I haven't seen a stressful session yet!

Since they'll be in suits all day, I love to capture a few photos of them in their casuals before they get all dressed up. Whether they're having a drink at a fancy hotel, chilling around a snooker table (seriously, how dare they?!), or grabbing a stiff drink at the ceremony venue, it’s wonderful to mix candid moments with some stunning shots as they suit and boot.

Getting Ready Photos Final Thoughts

If you're after a bit of wedding inspiration of wedding photography bride getting ready photos,

hopefully, I've provided you with many photos to add to your photograph list. Taking your time on the morning with a little planning with your girls can create the most wonderful pictures full of bridal detail, fun and emotion. Whatever the location, you can create the perfect scenes surrounded by friends and family.

Related Reading:

Wedding Venues in Stow On The Wold
Wedding Detail Photos
Birmingham Wedding Photographers
Questions To Ask Your Photographer
Wedding Trends
Hyde House Wedding Photographers

Brides wedding photography getting ready photos
Wedding photos: getting ready
Wedding photography bride getting ready photos

About Jordan

Jordan is mad about weddings, taking her camera up and down the country to capture wedding day pictures. Her style is relaxed and informal, and a few posed photos combine to create a lovely, balanced wedding gallery that you'll love.

If you'd like Jordan to help tell your story, get in in touch to discuss all your wedding details.

Start a conversation!

If you’re getting married then a big congratulations. Get in touch to discuss your wedding photography