Getting the bride into her gown can sometimes be a hectic part to the day. It can seem rushed and everyone wants to help get her dressed as quickly as possible. But there are a few tips that I've found to help the bride (and the bridesmaids) with "getting ready" portraits. If you missed last weeks "Wedding Walkthrough Wednesday" post, you can find out all about bridal details here.
Wedding Walkthrough Wednesday: Dressing the Bride
1. Have all of the bridesmaids and the mother-of-the-bride dressed when it’s time to get the bride ready. I usually ask the bridesmaids to be dressed about 15 minutes before I have scheduled the bride to begin getting dressed. This way there’s no tie-dyed t-shirts or silk robes(even if they are pretty). In addition, this allows a more cohesive look throughout the wedding day album.
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2. Most people think that you should just step into your dress wherever you happen to be getting ready. As a photographer, I can say that’s just not true. Usually where the bride is getting ready is, let’s be real…a slight mess. It’s not that she’s a slob…but with upwards of 3 or more girls and all of their stuff, it gets a little crazy. When I get to a room the day of, I will either find a wall that is blank (or one that can easily become blank) or find another location altogether for the bride to get in her dress. If the best light is in the room where everyone is getting ready, I may enlist the bridesmaids to help clear a space for “getting ready” photos. This way guys, there’s none of those pesky drink cans or heaps of clothes in that space. And sometimes this means rolling up the carpet, moving couches clear across the room and taking a picture off of the wall (yes, I've actually that).
When it comes to getting ready photos, I look for the location that has the best natural light. Choosing a location that has multiple windows is best. When there isn't an option for natural window light in the getting ready space...I will look around the venue for different options and that sometimes means putting the finishing touches on the bride while we are standing on the porch.
When it comes to getting ready photos, I look for the location that has the best natural light. Choosing a location that has multiple windows is best. When there isn't an option for natural window light in the getting ready space...I will look around the venue for different options and that sometimes means putting the finishing touches on the bride while we are standing on the porch.
3. Another tip for getting into your dress happens before the wedding day. It is simply to PRACTICE getting into your gown. Taking time before the day of the wedding to try on your gown with your shoes and your undergarments first, ensures that everything works well together. There’s nothing more disappointing to a bride than putting her dress on only to realize that her corset is showing or it’s more snug than before because she forgot to make sure that all of the pieces combined still had room for her to breathe. Also, when working together to create a timeline for the wedding day, it helps to know a realistic time frame for getting the bride into her dress. I always build in extra time for this, but practicing can help everyone get the hang of lacing up the back or button those tiny buttons. This is a great way to utilize BRIDAL PORTRAITS. Since bridal sessions are essentially a practice run, it allows the bride to become comfortable moving in her gown.
4. Wait to put on the jewelry and the shoes until after the dress is on. As a photographer, I love capturing the simple everyday task of putting on an earring. It complements the day much more than if she is putting her earring in will wearing a t-shirt or her robe. Sometimes well-meaning bridesmaids try to get the bride in her shoes while the mother-of-the-bride is still lacing the back of the dress and the maid-of-honor is handing the bride her necklace. It’s simply too much at once. Let's go step by step and capture each part of the getting ready process.
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If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy:
Bridal Details (and What not to leave home without)
Tips for Engagement Portraits
