Out of all of the thrill and excitement that comes with a wedding day, spending time photographing a bride getting ready for the ceremony is my favourite. What’s there not to love? The morning is usually filled with family warmth, the happy chatter of bridesmaids and all the excitement that comes with last-minute touch-ups leading to a Big Reveal. Whether you’re getting ready in a hotel suite or your apartment, always remember there is a photographer in the room. Here are some things I like my brides to keep in mind to get beautiful getting ready shots:
As a wedding photographer, I pay a lot of attention to light. Make sure that the room you’re getting ready in is naturally well lit and has a large window. The gentle morning light provides for the most tender bridal portraits and brings out that magic glow on the bride’s face. When looking for a bridal suite or choosing a room in your house, look for a window you can stand in front of to get those ethereal, flattering getting ready shots.
Another thing is being mindful of your surroundings. The first thing I do when I enter the bride’s room is ask to clear the clutter or call room service to clean up a hotel suite. Here at MANGO, we pride ourselves on a clean and polished style of wedding photographs, and sometimes I take this extra step to ensure a polished final look. I’m a complete sucker for minimalism and my motto is “if something doesn’t add to the story, it takes away from the images.” Without clutter to draw your eyes in different directions, you look deeper into the moment.
Lastly, sometimes all it takes to elevate those getting ready photos to a magazine-worthy level is to opt for a silky robe as opposed to the comfy, but an old t-shirt & shorts combo. This applies to everyone in the room – even the bridesmaids! So, glam up, pop a bottle of champagne and enjoy your getting ready shots!
