Wedding getting ready photos capture the most intimate and emotional moments of your wedding day before the ceremony even begins. From the nervous excitement of buttoning up your dress to the tender moments shared with your closest friends and family, these pre-ceremony images tell a critical part of your wedding story that you’ll cherish for decades. While many couples focus on the big moments of their wedding day, the getting ready process is where a lot of the real magic happens—filled with genuine laughter, happy tears, and anticipation that can never be recreated.
Preparing for these photos requires more than just showing up in a beautiful space. The right planning can transform your wedding morning from potentially stressful to wonderfully memorable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create stunning, stress-free bridal getting ready photos that will become some of your most treasured wedding memories.
Planning the Perfect Bridal Suite
Set yourself up for a relaxing morning on your wedding day by carefully selecting the location for your wedding morning photos. I’ve seen couples get ready at a hotel, an Airbnb, a relative’s house, or at their venue if there’s a designated space for it. All of these can be fantastic options as long as you consider a few factors: lighting, space and layout, and organization.
Access to plenty of natural light will not only make for dreamy wedding getting ready photos, but also helps reduce stress. In fact, a 2021 study reviews evidence of the relationship between exposure to indirect sunlight through windows and lower levels of anxiety. Pair that beautiful natural sunlight with an attractive, open space and you’ll be starting your day on a high note.
Remember to select an area that has plenty of room for you, your wedding vendors, and any friends/family members you want there with you. Larger spaces make it easier to find a place for all of the belongings you don’t want in the background of your photos (think coffee cups, duffle bags, half-eaten breakfast trays, etc.). Preventing and containing any mess allows you to relax and allows your photographer to get clean, beautiful wedding morning photos.
Creating Your Getting Ready Timeline
Timing is critical for creating a smooth, stress-free wedding morning that results in beautiful getting ready photos. I recommend allocating more time than you might initially expect. Here’s a strategic timeline to help you plan:
Hair and makeup typically require 1.5-2 hours for the bride, with 1.5 hours per bridal party member. Plan 45 minutes to an hour for the bride getting dressed after the wedding party is ready, and 30 minutes to an hour for the bridal party’s preparation. These timeframes can vary based on hairstyle complexity, makeup look, and dress intricacies. A Bridal Makeup Trial is a huge help when planning your timeline!
Aim to have your wedding party and family members fully dressed before the bride begins her portion of the hair and makeup services. This approach creates picturesque moments when the photographer arrives, with everyone looking polished and ready to assist. Coordinating these logistics with your hair, makeup, and photography teams will help create a relaxed, enjoyable morning that translates into genuine, memorable wedding getting ready photos.
Setting the Right Mood for Wedding Morning Photos
Creating the right atmosphere is crucial for capturing beautiful wedding getting ready photos that feel natural and stress-free. Music can be a powerful mood setter—choose a playlist that reflects your personality and helps everyone feel relaxed. Consider upbeat tracks that create energy during makeup and hair, but also have some softer songs mixed in for more intimate moments. Provide light refreshments like mimosas, water, and small snacks to keep everyone comfortable, but be strategic about timing to avoid spills or makeup mishaps.
Carefully manage the number of people in the getting ready space to maintain a calm environment. Too many guests can create chaos and tension that shows in your wedding getting ready photos. Limit the room to your closest bridesmaids, immediate family, and essential vendors like your makeup artist and photographer. Create designated areas for personal items to keep the space clean and photogenic, ensuring your bridal suite looks as beautiful as the memories being created within it.
Special Moments to Plan For
As a photographer, I always ask my clients for a list of any must-have shots for their wedding day. However, some couples have no idea what they want or know which shots are standard and which shots should be asked for. This list is a great jumping off point when it comes to wedding getting ready photos:
- Pre-hair and makeup champagne/cider toast
- This day should be celebrated! Capture some casual photos of you all in your pre-wedding outfits with a sparkling drink for added fun to your wedding gallery.
- Dress buttoning/finishing touches
- A parent, relative, or bridesmaid/man is a great option to help button/zip you into your dress or help you put on your jewelry. Pro tip: consider doing this in front of a mirror so the camera can get multiple angles with both of your reactions.
- First look with dad/mom/wedding party
- Gift exchange
- I LOVE it when my couples leave gifts/notes for each other the morning of the wedding. Ask your photographer to find a nice, quiet spot for you to open your gift/letter in private.
- Bridal portraits
- Other special traditions
Tips for Natural, Candid Bridal Photos
This is your day and everyone (your friends/family, guests, and vendors) want you to look and feel your best. Once your wedding day officially begins, consider going unplugged. Hand your phone over to a trusted friend or family member and focus on embracing all of the emotional moments happening around you. At this point, you’ve done everything in your power to make sure the day goes smoothly, so let go of the idea of having a perfect day and allow yourself to be present for each moment. That way, when you look back at your wedding albums, you’ll see your most authentic self and a true representation of your wedding day on the page.
The Conclusion to Stress-Free Wedding Getting Ready Photos
While there are many aspects to consider when it comes to wedding getting ready photos, the most important thing is to find the joy in these moments. Select strong vendors who can support you throughout the process and help you plan your morning. Set yourself up for success by choosing the best possible environment for you to relax in. When the day finally comes around, let go of everything else (or hand the reins to a trusted friend/family member/vendor) and be present for your day as much as possible.
About the Author
Thanks for reading! I’m Madi, the photographer behind Essence of Us Photography and the author of this article – I hope you found it helpful in your wedding planning journey! I’m big on making couples feel totally at ease in front of the camera and throughout the planning process. Whether you’re super comfortable in front of the camera or totally nervous, I’ll help you relax and have fun!
Honestly? I absolutely love what I do. There’s nothing better than delivering a wedding gallery that makes my couples laugh, cry, and relive their day all over again. For me, this isn’t just a job—it’s about capturing the most incredible day of your life. My style is all about utilizing true-to-color editing and mixing those classic posed shots with candid, documentary-style moments to accurately portray your personalities and the unique experience of your wedding day.
