September 19, 2017
Preparing for your Bridal Portrait, on top of everything else, can be overwhelming! Sara and I wanted to share some words of wisdom when it comes to your Bridal Portrait!
The dress might get a little dirty, but that okay!
It is a part of your bridal portrait – accepting that your dress will get dirty. Not rolling-in-the-mud, rips-up-the-side dirty, but yes, the hem will get a little dusty. Even with drop-cloths, tarps, and towels to try and protect it, it’s inevitable that the hem will get a bit dingey. Accept this, embrace it, and add time in your schedule for a dress cleaning before the wedding.
Make sure you’re the bride, not vendor + bride!
We would recommend that you don’t do your own hair, makeup, or flowers yourself. Half of the point of a bridal session is to test out your wedding day look, so make sure that the same people who will be doing your wedding day hair, makeup, and flowers will also be a part of your bridal session.
Bring your mom, sister, etc!
It is a wonderful thing to bring a sister, bridesmaid, or friend to help you during your session. Every regal woman needs a lady in waiting to fluff their train, fetch them water, and help them up and down stairs, and you my dear are no different!
Make sure you have a solid meal!
Please eat a good, solid meal before your session, and bring some cold water bottles (straws too) and a bag of healthy snacks such as fruit or granola bars. This is especially important. You probably won’t be hungry on the day of your session, but it is VERY important that you eat a good, big meal and bring water and snacks regardless. Modeling is hard work, doubly hard when you’re doing it in a heavy, thick dress outside in the sun. Fainting during sessions is common, so avoid that by taking care of yourself on the day of.
Communication is key!
Don’t try to “tough it out” if something feels wrong during a session. If you feel like your veil is off, or you start to feel lightheaded, or the poses just aren’t “you,” please please please SAY SOMETHING. This is YOUR session, and you make the rules. Communicate with me, let me know how you’re feeling and what you want, because the most important thing to me is making sure that you enjoy the experience as well as the end result.
Don’t be afraid to make this session yours!
Do bring props, if that’s your thing. Some girls like to include their pets in their session, or perhaps an item that is special to their fiancé, or some beautiful vintage headpiece or parasol, or a few fun pairs of shoes. If you want to mix it up a little bit, go for it!
When purchasing your dress, consider your bridal session in the process!
Consider your bridal session when purchasing your dress and having alterations done. Most dresses take 6-8 months to come in once purchased, and then require another 1-2 months for alterations. Ideally your dress should be finished and ready to go no later than two months before your wedding, which will give you time to do your bridal session (and reschedule it, if bad weather pops up), get the dress cleaned, and have any final alterations done.
Some weather conditions just won’t work!
We would recommend not to photograph your bridal during the extreme weather months – extreme heat or cold can really put a damper on your session and make you miserable. If possible, aim for Spring, early Summer, or Autumn for your bridal portraits. Also, wind and rain can make it nearly impossible to shoot, so be prepared to be flexible and reschedule if necessary.
If you are interested in learning more about how we can serve you on your wedding day, contact us!
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