After last week’s post about “6 Reasons Why to Include a Bridal Shoot in Your Wedding Plans” I have bridals on the mind! Once you have your bridal shoot booked, there are some important ways you will need to prepare. Keep reading for the tips I have gathered while shooting brides for the past 5 years.

If you are still planning your wedding photography, click here for more information about my work!

Plan a Bouquet For Your Bridal Shoot

You will need a separate bouquet just for this shoot! Some brides choose the largest most intricate bouquet for their bridals, while opting for a matching but smaller and more manageable bouquet for their actual wedding day. Carrying a heavy bouquet throughout your entire wedding day is surprisingly hard! So I think this makes the most sense. However, the choice is yours! Just don’t forget to plan with your florist for a separate bouquet to be delivered for your bridal shoot as well.

Plan Your Shoot Location

As I talked about in this blog post, bridal shoots are a great opportunity to shoot photos in your wedding dress at multiple locations. Unlike the few shots you take on your wedding day, which will be limited to your venue and maybe the surrounding area, you can plan your bridal shoot anywhere!

Are you an adventurous bride who doesn’t mind hiking a bit in your dress for the perfect mountain backdrop? Or do you prefer the look of a natural light studio? The location you choose should reflect the overall feel of your wedding and personality, and match the look of your wedding dress. If you are planning to display prints of your bridal photos at your reception, consider what location will compliment your wedding venue and decor.

For ideas on what location to choose, head to my Pinterest for plenty of inspiration!

Make Sure Your Dress Will Be Ready in Time

Bridal shoots usually take place 6-10 weeks before your wedding day. This gives your photographer time to edit your photos in time to be printed for display at your reception! Plan the date for your bridal shoot as early as possible, and consider when your wedding dress will be ready when scheduling.

To learn more about my upcoming schedule and how your wedding photoshoots can fit in, contact me here. I am always happy to discuss your needs and timelines, and make a plan that works well for everyone!

Guests will love to see your bridals and formal photos on display around your reception. They may only get to see your beautiful dress and bouquet up close for a few moments, so give them another look through photos! These photos give guests who may not know both you and your new spouse well a chance to see more of your relationship.

Invite an Extra Hand Along

Inviting your mom or a good friend along to your bridal shoot can be a big help. They can help carry the train of your dress, make sure the path is clear, and be there to fix every out of place hair.

I love it when brides bring their mom’s along on their bridal shoot! As you can read more about here, I think this is a great chance to spend quality time with someone you love, in the middle of wedding planning craziness.

Bring Your Wedding Jewelry, a Copy of Your Invitation, and Any Other Special Details to Photograph

I love to include detail photos of your rings, invite, florals, and any other small wedding pieces, as you can see in this Mountainside Micro Wedding shoot. These items tell the story of your wedding, and I love to immortalize them through images you can keep forever.

Consider incorporating personal momentos such as your mother’s veil, your grandmother’s pearl earrings, a wildflower you pressed after your fiancé picked it for you - anything that means something to you - into your bridal shoot. These heirlooms add a touch to your photos that cannot be replicated, and that you will treasure.

I take any moment I can during your wedding day to shoot these sorts of small items and memories, but a bridal shoot can be the ideal time to get these sorts of detail photos. So plan to bring these items, and let your photographer know ahead of time if there are any specific shots you are hoping for.

Book Your Bridal Shoot

If you want detailed, timeless, and heirloom bridal photos, I would be honored to work with you! I am dedicated to helping brides feel and look elevated beyond belief. I want you to feel comfortable during your bridal shoot and to create images you feel beautiful in!

Click here to learn more about my wedding photography and contact me to plan your bridal shoot.

How to Prepare For Your Bridal Shoot