The Morning Of Your Wedding Day - Getting Ready
Julia set the scene with this lovely hallway table arrangement.
I always encourage couples to dedicate some photography time to the morning, when they are getting ready. On the morning of your wedding you are surrounded by those closest to you and it’s a wonderful opportunity to capture beautiful candid moments between friends and family. It’s also a chance to get used to being photographed and to lose any self consciousness. By the time we are ready to leave for your wedding ceremony you’ll be very comfortable being photographed.
As an experienced Sydney wedding photographer I hope I can offer some tips and suggestions that will help this busy part of the day go smoothly.
I recommend starting with the boys and the grooms preparations for 30 to 45 minutes. For the bride and bridesmaids I suggest allowing 60 to 90 minutes maximum.
Beau and his brother Tristan with their Mum. I admit I set this up, but I think the expression on Mum’s face is priceless!
Tip No.1: Tidy up the room where you are having your hair and makeup done.
Often friends and family members will have travelled to celebrate your wedding day. That means there’s going to be lots of bags and suitcases everywhere. It’s best to have these in another room, but one that’s easy to access.
When I arrive I like to first start with your wedding dress. I’ll often hang your dress in front of a window or doorway or even outside, to create a beautiful background. I keep a variety of hooks and hangers with me so your dress is safely secured. Have a look around the space where you are getting ready and keep a spot tidy where the dress can go.
At this time I’ll also capture meaningful details such as your jewellery, shoes and heirlooms, such as a piece of jewellery worn by your grandma. These shots add texture and context to your wedding photography and capture your personal taste and style.
Tip No. 2: Natural light is the most flattering light.
If possible I recommend setting up the make up chair facing a window. Once your wedding dress is photographed everyone’s hair and makeup should be fairly advanced and it’s great to capture your look while you are in the chair and everything is perfect. Sydney weddings, especially along the harbour, can be windy, so it’s great to capture your hair and makeup in a perfect state.
Julia’s wedding dress placed before a window. The soft light ensures the exquisite embroidery is captured beautifully.
Tip No.3: Allow enough time to relax and take it all in.
Enjoy a glass of champagne with your besties. Soon it’s going to get hectic and it’s going to be emotional (though it’s usually the guys who lose it). Your wedding day is going to be a busy day and there’s always that final scramble before leaving to gather the flowers and phones and get to the limo.
Petrisha checking out her look.
A quiet moment between Chloe and her daughter Gabbie before leaving for the ceremony.
Tip No 5: Make sure your bridesmaid’s dresses are clearly labelled!
I remember one time four bridesmaids grabbed their dresses and went to their own hotel rooms to change. Two had taken the wrong dress without knowing and couldn’t understand why their dresses didn’t fit. As eveyone was separated it took about 30 minutes to sort out the problem. That’s a lot of time to lose on a wedding day.
Karen had all her bridesmaid’s dresses on personalised hangers
The final shot before I leave for the ceremony (and give you guys a break from the camera) is what I like to call the ‘Princess Shot’. This one is always fun. When we are setting it up it’s going to feel contrived and a bit cringe, but’s part of the magic.
Everyone gets all shy and nervous but it’s always a great image. This is where all our tidying up pays off. Close to the biggest window, we stage you in the centre of the room in your full wedding attire with your Maid of Honour and bridesmaids (Mum sometimes joins in too). Your girls then just make a play of adjusting your wedding dress and veil and so forth. Everyone is always cracking up by the end of it.
Lauren and her bridesmaids adjusting her wedding dress to go marry Jayden!
Hannah doing the Princess with just her Maid of Honour Alice
I hope some of the ideas here are of help. Taking care of the details ahead of your wedding day makes it more fun, more relaxed and just more romantic.
Okay, let’s go get you guys married!
-Brendan
Megan: “Let’s do this!”