The getting-ready time is one of my favorites on a wedding day. This is when the couple gets ready, separately or together, surrounded by their family, friends, and wedding party. No two weddings are the same, and no two preparation processes will look similar.
At one wedding, I might find myself with one partner getting ready with fifteen people, a parent, and all of their family members. The next weekend, I could be at an event where someone gets ready with just a sibling and a treasured best friend. Two partners could be getting ready across the hall from each other, or in separate spaces entirely. Someone could be flying solo, surrounded by friends, or just hanging out with their parents. However you choose to get ready on your wedding day is absolutely your decision.
What will be photographed at this time?
I usually start with your wedding day details: engagement rings, wedding bands, attire, shoes, invitations, and anything else that is small and personal to you. This happens quickly and efficiently, freeing me up to begin documenting the actual getting-ready process.
I know wedding blogs really emphasize detail shots, but I promise that creating these images will not take up too much of your day. It is most important to me to document the relationships and moments, not just the details.
What do we need to be doing at this time?
Having fun. Please do not worry about the photography at all. My goal is to document. You will not be heavily posed or moved into unnatural scenarios. My style is documentary and editorial, meaning the moments you see in my portfolio are real. I want this for your wedding photographs.
If you are getting ready separately, we need to allot time in the timeline for both of you to be documented. This is something we talk about extensively before the wedding. Where will you both be getting ready? Do you both want coverage? Does one of you want more time for photos than the other? We will go over all of this when we finalize your timeline.
Tips for a smooth getting-ready morning
- Allow sixty to ninety minutes for getting-ready coverage. This gives me ample time to document the process without anyone feeling rushed.
- If possible, have both of you get ready in the same venue or hotel. It makes coverage much more efficient. We can make almost any scenario work, but being in the same building is ideal.
- If you want images of all your wedding rings together, have them all in the getting-ready room. This saves us from going back and forth between spaces.
- Allow real time to get dressed. This can take anywhere from five minutes to half an hour or more, depending on the outfit. During your last fitting, note how long it takes. Add a buffer for last-minute adjustments, jewelry, and shoes.
- If family members or wedding party members will help you get dressed, have them ready 15 to 30 minutes before you want to put on your outfit. That way, they are ready to help when it is time.
- If you have videographers, I would love to connect with them before the wedding day. I have worked with many excellent cinematography teams who approach the day the same way I do. I have also arrived at weddings to find teams staging moments in the getting-ready room. The more we can be on the same page beforehand, the better coverage everyone gets.
- If you are exchanging gifts, let us designate a time for that. Ideally, hair and makeup are done, or you are just about to get dressed. We can document it once you are dressed too. Just let me know what you have planned so we can choose the best timing.
- Do not be the last one to have hair and makeup done. Many stylists recommend saving the couple for last, but if anything runs behind, you need to be finished before the timeline shifts. Pad hair and makeup timing by fifteen to thirty minutes just in case. Most of the time, when the day runs late, it starts here.
- Think about the room where you will get dressed. If you are getting ready in a crowded or conference-style room, consider moving to a different space for the actual dressing. Ideally, I am looking for a room with good natural light and enough open space to move around. If you are in a hotel suite, we can use a different room from where the hair and makeup happened. If you are not sure about your room, call or email me, and we can talk through the logistics.
This might seem like a lot, but do not let it be a source of stress. All of these suggestions are just meant to keep your day as smooth as possible. If you have any questions at all, I am always glad to talk through them.
