As I prepare myself for the upcoming wedding season and begin scheduling pre-wedding consultations with all of my lovely clients, I find myself answering a few questions over and over again.  Today, I want to take some time to talk a bit about one of those questions….the getting ready process.

This is a topic that doesn’t get a lot of thought, but actually is very important to setting the tone for your day and your photographs.  You hired me to make beautiful photographs of you and your day.  You chose a venue based on its location, its beauty, its importance.  You chose a gorgeous gown and gorgeous accessories and gorgeous flowers and a hair and makeup team to enhance your natural beauty.  So, why in the world would you chose to get ready in a not-so-gorgeous space?  Doesn’t make much sense, does it?!

Here, I’m going to share a few tips with you to help you decide where to get ready so that the beginning of your day is just as beautiful as the end!

Tip 1:  Light

No, I’m not talking about working lights here.  I’m also not talking about yucky florescent or tungsten lights.  I’m talking about NATURAL light.  Natural light is your photographer’s BFF.  It’s also your makeup artist’s BFF.  And soon, it’ll be your BFF after you see the photos from this part of the day and realize just how GORGEOUS natural light is for this type of photo.  Of course, any professional photographer can drag in their equipment and set up a fantastic lighting system, but this part of the day is meant to be fun and carefree and whimsical, and frankly, natural light compliments that sort of environment much better than photography lighting.

So, how do you get this beautiful natural light?  Choose a place with windows!  The more windows, the better.  Just take a look at these photos.  Megan (above) got ready in a room with some beautiful windows on either side of her, creating great, dimensional light.  I mean, is the light here not gorgeous?!

Andrea (below) chose to get ready at her parents’ house, where she spent her adolescent years.  Instead of getting ready in a dreary, dark bathroom, she got ready in the family room, which had huge windows all around.  She chose a spot in the corner, with windows on either side of her, so that there would be plenty of light flooding in from all sides.  Just perfect!

Another benefit of a natural light filled room?!  Happiness and energy….and we all know you need that on your wedding day!

Tip 2:  The Space

Imagine yourself and your best girls all trying to get ready in a room the size of prison cell.  That’s a terrible description, but seriously, can you imagine it?!  NO!  You have too much stuff and too many people and too much energy to be messing with all that.  Ain’t nobody got time for that.

So, make sure you get a space that is big enough to hold you + your girls + your getting ready junk.  Just do it.

Oh, and while we’re talking about space and junk….when we get ready to do the formal getting ready photos (like putting on the dress and such), assign someone to clean up a bit.  Your photos will be one million times better with a nice, clean background (as opposed to a floor full of makeup brushes, hairspray and dress bags).

Next, think about the environment and ambiance of your space.  Does it align with your wedding?  If you’re getting married in a rustic barn with vintage decor, it doesn’t make much sense to get ready in a modern hotel.  Your photos are going to tell a visual story of your day, and they need to represent continuity and a thematic event.  This is especially important if you will be ordering an album, as you’ll want the whole day to coordinate well together.

Tip 3:  The People

It’s inevitable that there will be people in your getting ready photos (besides you, of course).  Your proud mother, your hilarious best friends, maybe even your sweet little niece.  This is great.  Actually, more than great…it’s WELCOMED.

However, we need to set some ground rules here.  Okay, maybe just one ground rule.  And, you’ll like this rule.

Anyone who is going to be in your getting ready photos should look their best.  This means their hair and makeup should be done, they should have their dresses on and they should be ready to go.

Imagine a beautiful photo of you stepping into your dress.  You’re so happy, beaming from ear to ear.  Mom has tears in her eyes watching your sister help you pull it up.  I mean, SO SWEET.  But, wait.  What’s that in the background?  Oh, that’s just the rest of your bridesmaids hanging out in sweatpants.  WOMP WOMP.  Again, ain’t nobody got time for that.

Good rule, right?!  Trust me on this….you’ll be very thankful after the fact when you’re flipping through your album.  And, those girls who are in the background??  They’ll DEFINITELY be thankful that they’re looking beautiful/smoking hot/not in frumpy sweatpants.  Amiright?

Tip 4:  The Groom

Don’t forget about him!  He also needs a nice space that coincides with all of the above tips.  Again, nice light, cohesive space, and sharp dressed men.  All still important.

I hope this is helpful to all of my bride-to-be’s (and even those who aren’t my bride-to-be’s)!  If you have any questions or concerns, you know you can get ahold of me anytime.  Now, let’s rock these weddings!

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