6 Reasons Why Not to Skip a Bridal Shoot

As a fine art wedding photographer, the images I help create are rooted in storytelling. Not just the story of your wedding day, and how your dad gave the cringiest speech at your luncheon but you couldn’t stop laughing. Or how you were nervous your dress wouldn’t fit, but of course it did, and you’ve never felt more beautiful. Or how your new husband broke out a secret waltz he had been secretly practicing for months, when all you expected was bruised toes after your first dance.

My goal is to tell the stories leading up to your special day, too. The story of how you treat each other, how you look at each other, and everything that made you fall so deeply in love. The shoots we do together prior to your wedding day help tell these stories. From your engagement shoot to your formals or bridals, everything I do as a photographer is to allow your love story to shine through.

I am available for Bridal shoots and full wedding packages worldwide. Click here to learn more about my pre-wedding shoots.

Formals vs. Bridals

Formals = photos of the bride and groom taken together prior to their wedding day, in their full wedding attire. Bridals = just the bride!

Formal photos of the bride and groom are becoming more and more popular. And I love both kinds of shoots for different reasons! You can check out galleries from formals I have shot here.

However, there are still many reasons why I love a more traditional bridal shoot instead of a formal shoot with the groom present, too. One reason being that this way you don’t spoil your wedding day first look. Of course the trendy solution is to photograph a “first look” during your formals, but nothing will ever be as special as the first time a groom seeing his future wife in her white dress for the first time when she is walking down the aisle.

A bridal shoot allows you to get those special detail shots, and capture you in all your glowing bride-y-ness, while not spoiling the moment for your fiancé.

Keep reading for more reasons why you should include a bridal shoot in your wedding plans!

You Deserve this You Time

I know they say the wedding is all about the bride… but honestly with invitation lists to consider, lodging to find for your out of state relatives, and trying to mesh your mom’s ideas with your mother-in-law’s taste - it starts to feel like it’s all about everyone else. Your bridal shoot will be the only part of wedding planning that truly is 100% about you, and you deserve that! Your bridal shoot will be the perfect time for you to pause for a moment on your own and take it all in.

The photos you receive from your bridal shoot will remind you of a time your felt beautiful, special, and oh so happy. And amid the stress of wedding planning, this is a precious gift! A gift to give yourself!

Treat This As Your Practice Run

Wearing your wedding dress is never going to be as comfortable as wearing your favorite pair of sweat pants, but a bridal shoot is the best time to get more used to it. Trying out your make up, hairstyle, and newly fitted dress in advance will allow you to see if there is anything that needs adjusting before the big day comes. Make sure there aren’t any bobby pins sticking into your head, practice giving hugs without getting makeup on your white dress, and get all your picture wiggles out in advance. Not to mention, you have to break in those new wedding day heels.

Get Detail Shots You May Not Have Time For on Your Wedding Day

On your wedding day, you and your photographer should absolutely take time to capture shots of just you and your new husband. However, I hate to break it to you, but unforeseen things are very likely to cut into this time.

Planning a bridal shoot or formal photos will guarantee you have all the photos you could ever want of your wedding day attire. Get shots of those amazing shoes, your hair all done up, and every other detail you may not have time for on the big day. Not only will these leave you with precious photos, but you will feel a lot less stresses and rushed on your actual wedding day. And anything that makes your wedding day schedule less tight is 100% worth it, trust me.

Spend Valuable Time with Your Mom

Often brides bring their mom along to their bridal shoot to help out. Having an extra hand to carry the bouquet, lay out your dress, and forge a clean trail through that mountain meadow you picked as your location will make the shoot run that much smoother! And more than just an extra hand, your mom will treasure your invitation to come along. She deserves to be the first to see you all done up in your beautiful dress, bouquet in hand, finally a bride. Cue the tissues.

Chances are, among the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, your mom is quietly feeling unexpected emotions at this sudden new phase of life. Letting her know you would like her to join this special shoot will make her day. It will give you and her a chance to pause and really take in what is happening. Her little girl is growing up! The day you’ve dreamt of is finally here. Now instead of looking at your parent’s wedding album, you will soon have your own photos to treasure.

This time with your mother is priceless. In fact, this may be some of the only time you two get to really spend together during wedding planning, before wedded bliss takes up even more of your time. I am always happy to snap a shot of the two of you during your bridal shoot!

Head to multiple locations

On your wedding day, the only shots you will get without your entire wedding party present will be around your venue. An experienced photographer will still steal you and your new spouse away for a few moments, and find great angles and spots for some quick shots of the two of you alone. However, planning a bridal shoot allows you to choose a location that means something special to you. You won’t be limited to only the photo ops surrounding your ceremony space.

Just like with my engagement photo shoots, I love to hit multiple locations during bridals.

Want more info on bridal shoots?

I have worked with many brides during the past 5 years spent photographing weddings, and all of them who have planned bridal shoots were grateful they did. That shoot will give you time to reflect on this special time of life. And you will go into your wedding day much more comfortable and confident if you have already had a chance to take pictures in your dress. I believe a bridal shoot is something every bride should prioritize in their wedding plans!

Whether you are still looking for a wedding photographer, or you didn’t include a bridal shoot in your plans and want to add one, click here for more info about working with me!