Why getting ready photos are important

There are so many moments to capture on a wedding day. From the little details to portraits, to the first kiss, these are all important. An incredible day like your wedding day deserves to be photographed from start to finish! One of the most important times of your wedding day starts before guests even arrive- while you are getting ready. Getting ready photos are not only one of my favorites to photograph but are so important!

Getting ready photos are when the photographer captures the bride and groom getting ready. This works best when you have a second-shooter since they can be capturing the groom, while I capture the bride. But you can also have us start with you, and go to the groom’s room after. Your getting ready photos are more than just hair and makeup, it is a bonding moment between you, your bridal party, and your family! As a photographer, I really enjoy these moments that help to tell the complete story of your wedding day.

 

Getting Ready Photos capture the quiet moments + the little details.

Some of the best candid moments come from getting ready photos. Not only do I focus on capturing your stationary, your accessories, and even your dress, but I also focus on you surrounded by your loved ones. This is a time where you are truly glowing, and it really shows! Some key moments also happen during this time. Your mom or family member might be helping you in your dress. You might have your grandmother finish the last buttons on your gown. Or you might do a father-daughter first look! All of these moments are so important and deserve to be captured.

I also love when I can capture the bridesmaids seeing the bride all dressed up for the first time – there are often so many tears! Even the moment where you see yourself with your dress on can be an emotional time. Everyone around you is so happy, so excited, and the energy is contagious! By having getting ready photos, you are able to capture some of these important details, that you will remember forever.

It is also important to have us photograph the little details during this time. These are intimate pieces you fell in love with! Pieces like the flowers in your bouquet, your hair, your manicure, and the details of your wedding gown. These little details often make for our couples favorite images.

You can do a first look with your dad, or bridesmaids.

When you take some time to do getting ready pictures, you can have some more special moments planned. One of my favorites are doing first looks! One option is to do a first look with your dad, where you can show him you in your gown for the first time. This lets us capture his sweet reaction, with some privacy before guests arrive.

Another fun moment is the first look with your bridesmaids! As the bridesmaids change, you can change into your gown, so they see your complete look for the first time with you.

Getting ready photo’s allow you some time to warm up.

If you chose not to do an engagement session with your photographer, you might be extra nervous! It can be nerve-wracking to get in front of the camera for the first time. When you have getting ready pictures, you can have some time to warm up with the camera. This way your first time in front of your photographer’s lens, isn’t with the most important ceremony or portraits. This helps calms your nerves about being photographed and gets you comfortable with your photographer

They give you a moment to slow down.

Your wedding day will go by so fast! Having photographs before you arrive at the ceremony site, or do a first look, will allow you to take some time to breathe. Your wedding day goes by so fast, it’s important to remember these little moments. And, it will allow you to really spend time with those closest to you. Getting ready photos help us take a step back and remember the little things that make up what the wedding is all about – the people.

Everything is perfect.

The morning of your wedding is when everything is pristine. Your dress is perfectly steamed. Your hair and makeup are flawless. And your flowers are at their peak. This is the best time to get some gorgeous portraits, and capture those small details! This is the best time of the day to capture not only your gown, but your stationary, your rings, and details of your bridesmaids.

When creating your wedding photography timeline, we will often arrive an hour or so before you put on your gown, so we can make sure to get the final touches, and an image of the gown hanging. This will also allow us to get some intimate interaction between you and your bridesmaids before the formal dresses are put on.

You can take boudoir portraits

When you have some additional time for getting ready photos, your photographer can capture boudoir style photos! This is a great alternative if you are looking for boudoir images, but do not have the time prior to the wedding. We can focus on you getting ready, with a beautiful robe, and hair and makeup. You are already getting your hair and makeup done, so why not take some time to get beautiful boudoir style images!

Getting ready photos complete your wedding album.

When designing our client’s wedding album, we make sure to include the complete timeline. Your album story needs to have a beginning, middle and end! By having getting ready photo’s you are able to complete your wedding story. By including these images, your wedding album will tell a more complete story of your day, from start to finish. Our clients often love getting ready photos the most!

This is also a great way to show guests or close family who couldn’t be there your complete day. If that person was not at your wedding day, then they will feel like they were after seeing photos of your entire wedding day unfold, from start to finish.