Bridal Prep Photos and Tips for Your Inspiration

On a typical day, we don’t put much thought into documenting our routine for getting ready. Sure, we might snap a quick selfie of a cute outfit to share on social media, but that’s about it. On a wedding day, however, the otherwise mundane act of getting ready takes on a new level of significance. This is especially true for brides. Wedding photographers use their behind-the-scenes access to brides and their bridesmaids to capture everything from the dresses, shoes, and jewelry to candid interactions between the bridal party as they put the finishing touches on hair & makeup, share a sip of champagne, and prepare to walk down the aisle. These photos tell the story behind the story, and it’s worth telling. To help you make the most of your bridal prep photographs, we included some tips and compiled inspiring photos from our community of incredible photographers.

Tips for Amazing Bridal Prep Photos

Making the most of your bridal prep photos requires a bit of planning and preparation. With help from the bridal party, you can create an opportunity to capture great bridal prep photos. Here are some tips to help ensure you capture images you'll love.

Wear Your Dress Early for Bridal Prep Photos

Getting into your wedding dress early leaves the photographer ample time to capture your elegance in it. Your photographer can capture moments from when your parents see you for the first time and even mingle with your bridal party.

Keep the Room Tidy

As much as possible, keep the room tidy at all times. When it’s time for your photographer to capturing memories, you don't want to focus on the clutter in the back. Keep the room clean and the resulting images will look that much better.

Remember the Small Details for Bridal Prep Photos

Your photographer wants to capture every small detail that makes your wedding unique. As such, give your photographer ample time to capture details like wedding dresses, shoes, wedding rings, bridesmaid dresses, invitations, and flowers. To save time, you can always take photos of most of the details when you're already wearing them. Some photographers (and their clients) prefer to shoot the details this way.

Have Fun and Let Your Emotions Show

No matter how chaotic the day gets, always remember that this is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the start of something wonderful and everlasting. Remember to stay calm and have fun! If you do, your authentic happiness will show in your bridal prep photos!