The Getting Ready - the photos from the preparation!
Your big day doesn’t just start in the church or in the registry office – the Getting Ready, i.e. your transformation from an ordinary woman to a radiant bride, is the starting signal for the most beautiful day in your life. Reason enough to capture it forever on natural photos. For this, some preparations must be made. You stand up and know, today you will get married and give up your life as a “single” for the love of your partner. The day does not start as usual and makes you wake up with palpitations. What still needs to be done, what have you forgotten, what still needs to be done and who should be with you before the wedding ceremony? These and other questions occupy you and revolve around the bridal preparations.
It is the most beautiful day of your life and of course there is a lot of preparation behind it to look really good on the way to the altar and not only the handing over of the rings, the first kiss as a married couple and the throwing of the bridal bouquet are unforgettable moments that you want to capture for eternity. After all, the journey is part of the destination – with the right getting ready photos, you’ll also capture those behind-the-scenes moments of your big day for eternity.
Take it easy on the wedding preparations!
Getting ready can be a nice way to get in the mood for the wedding day and should be celebrated in peace. Also for your wedding photographer the day starts with you, as the moments of bridal preparations are for the introduction of your personal Wedding Story. Usually the bridesmaids are present for the Getting Ready and help you into your dress, advise you and take away the nervousness. Since the bridal hairstyle and your makeup are also part of the wedding preparations shortly before the wedding ceremony, the hairdresser of your choice is usually also present. For dressing and hairdressing, as well as all other bridal preparations, you should choose the place where you feel comfortable and which radiates a harmonious calm on you. This can be your own home but also a hotel room.
Very important!
In order for the day to start calmly and for you to walk serenely and happily down the aisle, it is best that your entourage is not too large during the final wedding preparations. It is becoming more and more popular to have the wedding photographer come to you before the wedding and take the first photos while dressing, doing makeup and hair. So you can review the day in its entirety at any time and take yourself back to the moment of the bridal preparations through the pictures.
The timing of Getting Ready - not too long and not too short
Most photographers plan an hour to an hour and a half for getting ready photos. This also depends on how extensive the photo documentation is to be. A picture of the bride just waking up with no makeup on doesn’t always have to be – but a final portrait of the bride all styled up is. After all, right after getting ready everything is still fresh and you can see your anticipation: the eyes are shining, the cheeks are rosy. You shouldn’t miss this chance! If there are also portraits of the groom or a group picture with the groomsmen, you have to allow for more time. When in doubt, rather leave a generous window of time free. After all, your nerves are challenged enough on your wedding day; no one needs time pressure.
The location at the Getting Ready - avoid chaos, set personal accents
The most important question is the location: Do you want to set the scene for the bridal bouquet, garter and co. in your own four walls or would you rather arrange them in a chic hotel room? Getting ready in hotel rooms is very popular, as the mostly minimalist décor provides an excellent and understated backdrop for your grand entrance. If possible, pick a bright hotel room on the upper floors for the getting ready. Furthermore, rooms with bright red or green elements (e.g. curtains) should be avoided, as they reflect the light with their own color and create unattractive effects. Tip: Some hotels even let brides “move” into a suite or a large, empty room at short notice for the Getting Ready so that the photos can be taken there.
Make sure that suitcases, dress bags etc. are well stowed away and do not become unwanted photo subjects. Garter, bridal bouquet or cufflinks, on the other hand, can and should be kept ready. Arrange them before the photographer arrives: that way, he can photograph them in peace while you’re still being styled. Likewise, you can favorably place the wedding invitations, the rings or photos of your time together.
If you want to forgo the hotel stay and prepare at home, the same applies: avoid chaos! Hide clothes lying around in closets and move large items such as the exercise bike or ironing board out of the way. For the getting ready photos, find a tidy-looking, light-filled room with plenty of space and ideally some personal items. If you like, you can additionally enrich the location with floral decorations and thus underline the festive mood.
Meanwhile, what is your future husband doing?
With a wink, you can tell yourself that the groom’s getting ready doesn’t have to interest you. But you can be sure that your future spouse is also busy with the wedding preparations and is standing in front of the mirror, checking his suit and fixing his hair. Here, usually only the best man is present and the groom starts the wedding day without a huge entourage.
For yourself, it must be clear that a little superstition does not hurt and you should attach the greatest importance to the fact that the groom does not burst into your dressing room at the Getting Ready or see you walking down the aisle. Even if you celebrate a modern or individual wedding, this tradition is one of the most beautiful moments on your wedding day. You feel a pleasant excitement and look forward to the moment when your future husband sees you in your wedding dress and styled for the ceremony.
The photo motifs of the Getting Ready - bride, groom & many details
At the photo shoot, YOU are of course the center of attention! Therefore, you should put on clothes that are comfortable, but not too casual. A chic silk kimono or robe is ideal, but a cheerful summer dress is also best to put you in the right light. As an icing on the cake, the color of the dress matches the color of the location and wedding theme!
All the other actors, such as your groomsmen, the mother of the bride or, of course, your future husband, should also be prepared for photos in terms of clothing. After all, getting ready doesn’t mean shooting in your underwear – even if the garter is welcome to be there. Other photo motifs are of course the make-up utensils, perfume, jewelry of the bride and groom, shoes, the bridal bouquet and the outfit of the bride and groom. Your wedding dress will look best on a delicate white hanger.
Alternatively, the groom’s dress and suit can be arranged nicely on the bed; ideally on a beautiful bedspread in matching colors. And as soon as everything is ready and the photographer has arrived, the following motto applies: Just let it be done – and then enjoy the wonderful photos!
Different from wedding photos - that's why Getting Ready pictures belong in the wedding album
At the photo shoot, YOU are of course the center of attention! Therefore, you should put on clothes that are comfortable, but not too casual. A chic silk kimono or robe is ideal, but a cheerful summer dress is also best to put you in the right light. As an icing on the cake, the color of the dress matches the color of the location and wedding theme!
All the other actors, such as your groomsmen, the mother of the bride or, of course, your future husband, should also be prepared for photos in terms of clothing. After all, getting ready doesn’t mean shooting in your underwear – even if the garter is welcome to be there. Other photo motifs are of course the make-up utensils, perfume, jewelry of the bride and groom, shoes, the bridal bouquet and the outfit of the bride and groom. Your wedding dress will look best on a delicate white hanger.
Alternatively, the groom’s dress and suit can be arranged nicely on the bed; ideally on a beautiful bedspread in matching colors. And as soon as everything is ready and the photographer has arrived, the following motto applies: Just let it be done – and then enjoy the wonderful photos!
With Getting Ready photos, there is an opportunity to stage something more than would be the case during the ceremony or celebration.
In the preparations, all this is not a problem, because here the images are not created with the wedding photographer as a silent observer, but here he is a co-speaking actor. This makes it easier to stage pictures, so the bridesmaids can pose one last time with the bride-to-be, or the groomsmen and groom can help each other awkwardly tie the bow tie. Getting ready photos are a very special part of wedding photos and break up the wedding album with pleasant variety.
What goes into getting ready photos?
When you start with the getting ready photos is up to you, of course. Already with the writing of the wedding invitations you create an anchor and a contextual framework for the album. Feathers gently gliding over the cards and invitations to the first guests – the basis is as important for the wedding ceremony as it is for the house.
The bridal styling is also an important part for the getting ready photos, but here it is true that the canvas is most beautiful just before the completion of the artwork. The setting up of the bridal bouquet belongs in the getting ready pictures as well as the wedding dress, the hall, the empty carriage and the last confidential words from the father of the bride.
All the important procedure of the bride and groom, the silent moments in the wedding venue and the decorations carefully prepared waiting for the guests – all this paints a unique picture of the wedding and is a much better and more beautiful representation of the day.
This will make getting ready stress-free for you!
Get your wedding dress, nail polish and accessories ready the night before. Set your alarm clock on time and take a few minutes for yourself before the bridesmaids and your stylist, as well as the wedding photographer, ring the bell and claim your presence. Guests should generally arrive only after showering and, if needed, after the first cup of coffee. Put on something casual and don’t pace around until the time finally comes and your start to your wedding day. Apart from dressing, make-up and hairdressing, there should be no other tasks ahead of you. Any other wedding preparations should have been done the night before. If you are very excited, you can start the wedding day with a few yoga exercises and get in the mood for the now upcoming bridal preparations before the arrival of your getting ready helpers and attendants.
The groom also prepares himself
We also capture the groom’s getting ready!