The Importance of Getting Ready:

I don't care what anyone says:

where you get ready is important.

Not only will all of your details be photographed there, but you will also be getting ready for your wedding there.

Getting ready is a huge part of your wedding day. You get to be with your closest friends and loved ones, putting on the dress/suit/outfit that you spent time and money on, getting your hair and makeup done, and all that fun stuff! It’s important for your photographer to capture this time beautifully, which is why I'm giving you my top tips for your getting ready wedding photos from a wedding photographer's perspective!

In this blog you’ll find info on:

1. The importance of where you get ready

2. What you get ready in

3. How to get all of your detail photos captured

Where You Get Ready

It is of course important to look for a space with good lighting (discussed below), but if you have flexibility to also choose a space that sets and compliments the tone of your wedding for linear storytelling and cohesion, you should do that. Some venues have limited options and beggars can’t be choosers. But if your venue has a spot to get ready that makes you turn up your nose, feel free to look for an Airbnb or something else close to your venue to get ready at. Yes it will add some costs and time to your day, but your wedding day only happens once. So factor in a getting ready space into your budget if your venue doesn’t have a nice one, or one at all.

Lighting

When looking at getting ready spaces, it is very important to have as much natural light as possible. Natural light is light that comes in the room from outside, through a window or door frame. This is the best kind of light to get ready in because the way natural light shines on skin and the details of your hair, makeup, dress, etc. is simply stunning. This is in contrast to artificial light, which is light that comes from any kind of lightbulb, lamp, chandelier, etc. Artificial light is much less flattering on skin, as artificial light can range from super orange and warm-toned, to fluorescent and much more cool-toned. These orange/yellow/blue tones can make skin tones look super weird. Natural light is always the best way to go when it comes to getting ready, so try to choose a space with as much natural light as physically possible!

Aesthetic

If possible, choosing a place with light-colored walls is the best option. Walls that are painted in a light color such as white, cream, or a light beige, will bring lots more light to your photos and will keep the room looking vibrant. However that is not always possible out West as many getting ready spaces have wood walls. Wood walls are not ideal as the colors in them are the same as skin tones and they often contain a lot of vibrancy in the color of the photo pixels that are read in Lightroom. It is hard to turn down the strength of the wood walls while also not washing out skin tones completely. There are definitely editing tools that we photographers can use to help these issues out, but sometimes it is just best for us to turn the majority of getting ready photos black & white when they are taken in a space with wood walls.

Keep it Clean

Unless you’re okay having a bunch of random food items, half-full champagne glasses, empty water bottles, and makeup tools strewn across the room in the background of your photos, you’ll want to do your best to keep your getting ready space clean. And please don’t think that those items are things that your photographer will remove or can remove from your images while editing. Most removal editing inside a furnished space is very technical, so it is better to just keep the space clean to begin with.

Having lots of clutter can be distracting in your photos, and can really bring down the aesthetic of your getting ready space. So if possible, try and designate one spot in your getting ready room (or in a separate room) where all your trash and random items will go, and make sure it’s out of the way of where your photos will be taken. This makes it much easier to have a decluttered, clean space while you’re getting ready!

What you get Ready In

It is important that you get ready in something nicer and not your regular everyday pajamas. This is the time to buy yourself a cute robe, or a nicer matching PJ set. Make sure that whatever you buy is easy to to get over your head if it has to be taken off that way so that you don’t mess up your hair & makeup.

And to add something a little extra, buy your bridesmaids and anyone getting ready with you matching getting ready outfits! There are TONS of affordable options on websites like Etsy like robes, slippers, pj sets, champagne flutes, and more! You can even personalize them with the names of your wedding party members - think outside of the box and have fun finding a way for you and your best friends to match on your big day!

All the Details

Detail photos are another important part of your wedding day. These are the photos your photographer will take of any little details that are meaningful to your wedding, and that you put money & effort into, such as rings, vow books, invitations, etc. and they are almost always photographed during your getting ready time.

Pack them ahead of time

Packing your details together ahead of time will make detail photos super easy on your wedding day! Instead of asking your bridesmaids/groomsmen/your officiant/etc. to try and find your rings, vow books, and flowers, have them all packed in some sort of bag or box. That way, you won’t need to send people on a wild goose chase across the venue to find everything for you!

Have them ready for your photographer

Once you’ve packed all your details into a bag or box, make sure you place that bag/box in a designated spot in your getting ready room - somewhere where you won’t lose track of it. This will make it easy for all your details to be ready for your photographer as soon as they arrive, and they’ll be able to knock out your detail photos quickly and efficiently.

Detail packing list

If you’re wondering what exactly to include in your detail bag or box, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of ideas of what to include in your detail photos. Be sure to include whatever items are important and meaningful to you, your love story, and/or your wedding day. And feel free to leave out any items that you don’t really care about, or that aren’t a big deal to you!

• Both Rings (engagement rings and/or wedding bands)

• Veil

• Garter

• Ring boxes

• Vow books

• A nice hanger or two for your dress/veil/outfit - e.g. a wooden hanger, a hanger with silk wrapping, a personalized hanger

• Family heirlooms - e.g. your grandma’s necklace that you’ll be wearing, your aunt’s wedding ring, etc.

• Bouquet/flowers

• Stationery - your invitations, RSVP’s, ceremony program, etc.

• Bridal jewelry - necklace, earrings, etc.

• Other small elements of decorations that are a part of your wedding - e.g. a small string of twinkle lights, leaves from your reception table decor

• Wedding favors for your guests

• Anything you had custom-made for your wedding day