Preparing for your Bridal Session | Raleigh Bridal Photographer

Raleigh Bridal Photographer

I have some bridal sessions coming up this month and as I started writing emails to my clients about how to prepare I realized that this content would be a great blog post!! Bridal sessions can be more complicated than other sessions for a couple reasons. Often you’re waiting for your shoes or jewelry to come in and you’re trying to coordinate with your hair stylist and/or make-up artist. Sometimes there are last minute dress alterations. There’s just more moving parts than normal! Here are 6 tips to help you prepare for your session that will reduce stress and help your portraits be the best they can be.

1. Start planning early – It can be tricky to find a day that works for you, your hair/makeup people, and your photographer, so if you’re planning to do a bridal session, start planning it a couple months ahead of time. If you want to display a print or canvas from the session at your wedding, make sure there’s plenty of time to get it ordered!
2. Build in a buffer – Hair and makeup can often take longer than expected. Whether you’re doing your own or having it professionally done, build in some buffer time before your session. About 30 minutes is a safe bet.
3. Don’t forget about the bouquet – Bridal portraits look incomplete without one, and this is a great opportunity for a trail run! If a second bouquet from a florist isn’t in your budget, get creative by wrapping your own with fresh flowers from the farmers’ market.
4. Get your ring cleaned – If you already did this for your engagement session, you probably don’t have to do it again, but if you notice the ring needs a little shine, make sure to do it before your shoot. Most jewelry stores (especially the one you bought the ring from) will do it for free!
5. Bring comfortable shoes – We may be doing some walking between locations, so if your wedding shoes were made for beauty rather than comfort you’ll want something else to switch into between photos.
6. Bring a friend – It’s super helpful to have your mom, maid of honor, or another friend there to carry extra lipstick, your train, or the bouquet (and those comfortable shoes!) for the shots we don’t use it for.