We’re here to tell the story of your wedding day. But that story doesn't begin with the ceremony; it starts the moment you begin preparing! Here are a few important tips to help us make stunning photos of you during this special time.
1. Keep the Rooms Tidy
It's important to have both the bridal suite and the groom’s room clean and ready before we start shooting. If possible, ask the hotel staff to tidy up and make the bed before we arrive. A neat, clean space ensures there aren’t any distracting items in the background and helps us focus on capturing your big moments. Plus, a freshly made bed gives us a great chance for creative shots.
2. Gather All Your Details in One Spot
Make sure you’ve gathered all the key details — dress, rings, shoes, and any other sentimental items — in one place before we start shooting. This helps us capture everything quickly and efficiently, without scrambling to track down different items from various rooms. Having it all in one spot allows us to create a cohesive set of beautiful detail shots.
3. Use a Nice Hanger for the Dress
If you want that perfect shot of your wedding dress, make sure it’s hung on a beautiful hanger rather than an unsightly plastic one. Bringing your own decorative or custom hanger ensures your dress looks its best and makes a big difference in those close-up shots.
4. Schedule Hair and Makeup for the Bride First
To avoid any time crunches, we recommend having the bride’s hair and makeup done first. When hair and makeup run late, it cuts into your photography time and limits how many beautiful photos we can take. Staying on schedule will allow us to capture every precious moment without feeling rushed.
5. Limit the Number of People in the Room
Too many people in the room can add unnecessary stress and make it difficult for your photographer and/or videographer to capture everything you want. Besides your bridesmaids, a few immediate family members, and your wedding vendors, try to keep the room quiet and intimate. Everyone else can join you later, but keeping the early moments peaceful helps everyone stay focused and calm.
6. Have Immediate Family Nearby
This is a great time to take intimate photos with your immediate family. You can also plan a private reveal or first look with important family members and/or bridesmaids during this time. These little moments will feel extra special when you look back on your album, so don’t hesitate to have your family nearby during bridal party preparation!
7. Allow Enough Time for Prep
We recommend setting aside at least 90 minutes for preparation and detail shots. This allows us to take our time capturing all those beautiful, candid moments without feeling rushed. A little extra time can make all the difference in getting a variety of stunning photos that truly reflect the excitement of the day.
