6 Tips for Awesome Bridal Preparation Pictures!

Morning preparations are some of our favourite shots on a wedding day, there’s so much anticipatory energy, excitement, joy, and big emotions. We think that it really helps to form a full and rounded story of the day when you can see all the way from preparations, through the ceremony, and into the reception and party scenes in the evening.

There are a few simple things that you can do in the morning that’ll massively help both yourselves and us when it comes to capturing these moments and they’re pretty low effort - so well worth doing!

1. Tidy the house before everyone gets there!

I know, I know, I’m not your mum - but seriously, doing a quick once over of the places you’re likely to be hanging out in the morning could make a massive difference to how your pictures end up looking.

I’m definitely not talking ‘deep clean’ levels of effort… but clearing kitchen surfaces from dirty pots and pans, throwing away empty pizza boxes, picking up dirty clothes on the floor, emptying the bins, and having a quick wipe down of the mirrors that people are likely to use for makeup/doing ties will have a big impact on how we are able to compose shots and what we will have in frame.

Also - a tidy space is just much more peaceful… and you don’t want to be feeling any more stressed than you need to on the morning of your wedding!

2. Choose the right location

Choosing the right location for your preparation location is crucial. We love shooting with natural light, so big windows are perfect to set up in front of. Make sure that the room you choose is spacious and has plenty of natural light so that we can get the best out of our cameras. If that isn’t possible then don’t panic, there’s a reason we aren’t shooting on our telephones after all!

We might have a chat with your hair and makeup on arrival to shift things around if they have already gotten started, but most of them like the same things about good lighting that we do!

3. Involve your bridesmaids!

You’ve invited some of your best mates along for the morning, so hang out with them! Do your best to set yourself up in a room that will have space and light for at least a couple of you to have hair and makeup done at the same time. And if there’s only room for one seat, then make sure the girls follow you and have space to sit on a bed or a seat with you! We can’t capture some of these heart-touching moments like the one below if you aren’t even in the same room with each other!

4. Get ready early, and plan some down time at the end!

Don’t be that bride that’s late fashionably late for the ceremony… or do… I don’t really mind. But definitely leave yourself at least 15 minutes before you absolutely need to leave in order to grab some pictures with the team before you’re walking down the aisle. You’ve all just spent the morning getting ready, so it’s the best time to grab a couple of group or individual pictures while you’re all looking incredible and pumped with anticipation!

This is some of my favourite time on a wedding day to capture those last moments of quiet interaction with your support squad, maybe a shot or two with your dad, a final reveal with the girls - whatever it is, it’s much easier and more fun if you aren’t desperately racing against the clock and being super stressed by the arrival time at the church.

5. Don’t forget to eat something!

Hooooo weeeee, the number of times we’ve seen this. I know it’s hard to eat when you’re full of nerves, and while it might not necessarily help the pictures, it’ll definitely help you feel better during the day if you set yourself up for success! I’m not saying you have to have a full english, but please, please, please have at least a bite of toast.

Especially if you’re having a few glasses of champers in the morning!!!!

Or just cook up some nuggets like Alex…. I’ll finish them off if you don’t!

6. Be yourself!

Lastly, the most important tip for getting the best bridal preparation pictures is to be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not, and let your personality shine through in your pictures. We don’t like to fake things, so just have fun and roll with the experience! Before you know it you’ll be walking down the aisle looking amazing!!!!