Wedding Morning
Getting ready
Here's a little secret: planning is the key to unlocking the most incredible wedding experience. We'll be your trusty guides, making sure every detail is on point, so you can relax, have a blast, and create memories that will make your heart sing. It's going to be one heck of an unforgettable celebration!
1. Level up your energy.
Munchies for the win: Keep your energy levels up by having some delicious snacks on hand. You wouldn't want a grumbling tummy stealing your spotlight! A little treat here and there will keep you fuelled and ready to rock the dance floor.
2. Sewing kit
Emergency kit to the rescue: Pack a handy emergency kit filled with essentials like safety pins, tissues, breath mints, and a trusty stain remover. You never know when a little mishap might occur, but with your superhero kit in tow, you'll be ready to save the day!
3. Stay Hydrated
Hydration station: Stay hydrated, my friend! With all the excitement and bustle, it's easy to forget to sip some water. Make sure you have a hydration station with refreshing drinks to keep you and your guests cool and hydrated throughout the festivities.
4. Bubbly
Get ready to pop the champagne and celebrate in style on your wedding morning! It's a time to raise a glass and toast to the beautiful moments ahead. As you embark on this incredible journey, let the fizzy bubbles of joy and excitement fill the air. The clinking of glasses will be music to your ears, a delightful symphony of love and happiness. So gather your loved ones, sip on that sparkling goodness, and let the festivities begin.
Cheers to a day filled with love
Here are a few things to consider...
Travel Time:
If you are not getting ready at the venue. How long does it take to get to the venue from where you are getting ready? People often forget the importance of transportation and traffic etc.
Hair & Makeup:
What is the one thing that will be most appreciated by friends and families when they look at the images captured from your special moment?...Your face!
People often prioritise bags and shoes over Hair and Makeup. They may not realise that apart from beautiful outfits, what is most likely to be captured by your photographer and admired by friends and families while you are having your special moment... is your facial expression, it is the most visible feature that people should not neglect. You will see people’s faces on 90% of any event images.
As a makeup artist myself I would suggest giving yourself plenty of time for makeup and hair. Lighting is important for both photographer and makeup artist, if it’s possible ask your artist to sit you near a window or natural light source. To avoid any panic I often ask the bride to not leave her makeup till last, ask your makeup artist to put you on priority. Nobody likes their picture taken when they are half done.
It would be best to at least have your makeup done before I start as I would love to have plenty of shots of you. For example if you have to leave for ceremony is at 1:30 pm your Hair & Makeup should already be done by 12pm, This will give you some time to get Champagne and Bridal Rope snap and into your dress. The later you finish your makeup, the less bridal portraits you will get so please spare me plenty of time.
Groomsmen prep
If you would like groomsmen prep I would normally suggest that you take our second shooter options, especially if you are getting ready in different locations. My second shooter will be with your groom and his pals to make sure you don’t miss the moment.
Get in that Magical dress/suit
At this point your best girls will already be in their dresses and ready to help you step into your beautiful gown. If they are not, it’s alright your mother can take a lead in this important role. Natural light makes your white dress stand out so I often like to capture you getting into your dress as close to the window if possible. And groom if you never wear a tie before you might need some assistance from your peers!
PJ Snap!
Whatever you decide to wear, make sure you and your bridesmaids wear something that you are happy to be photographed in. The more comfortable you all are, the more relaxed you will be and the more fun you will have. It doesn’t have to be a silk rope, although they do look amazing. It could be that you treat yourself to a set of beautiful but fun and quirky pyjamas, remember it should be something that buttons up or zips up and doesn’t need to go over your head when taking off.
Lighting
It is likely that you and your bridal party will all want to get ready together. When planning where to get ready, it’s really important to make sure that you book somewhere that has plenty of light or good space near windows with natural light or has make-up stations.
It’s most likely that the biggest window will be taken by the make-up artist, so you don’t want your bridal party to have to fight for the remaining natural light, if they are doing their own make-up.
Keep the room tidy
The room can get crowded pretty fast, your bridesmaids, family and suppliers, and it gets cramped quickly. It’s very easy for things to go missing and for the room to get chaotic and out of control. Try to keep the room as tidy as you can, as photographing in a tidy environment is far more pleasant. You really don’t want panties, bras and left over breakfast flying around in the background or in the shot.
Don’t do this without me!
I always advise you (the bride) and the person who will help you into your wedding dress, finish your hair and makeup 1:30 hr before you are due to leave. Why? This is to allows a photo opportunity such as bridesmaids gift opening, Bride opening her gift or reading lovely messages from her husband to be, or one from a friend, and family a champagne pop shot in your bridal robe. Remember to call for me so you can do this when I’m around, I would love to capture these emotional moments for you.
And get it on early!
Then it’s time to get your dress on, possibly dress revealing with bridesmaids/ Parents or son/ daughter first look.
It may seem like being overly cautious getting into your dress so early, but often planning to get into it earlier means that you won’t end up in a total panic, and you will have plenty of time for last minute pictures and a glass of bubbly or two. Remember all these wonderful shots need time.
Practice putting on the dress
Think about who would like to help you into your dress. This is often something that isn’t thought about until the last minute, but make sure that person stays with you right up until you’re about to walk down the aisle. Let that person practice doing up your dress, even if it’s just on the hanger. Some dresses come with complex bodices, fiddly buttons and loopholes where you wouldn’t expect. You could bring that person to collect the dress with you, as the bridal shop or dress-maker will often talk you through how it goes on and how to pin the skirt up. Possibly the hardest dresses to do up are the ones with hundreds of small buttons on the back, especially if your chosen person has long nails.
Your story, your details
Every tiny details...
This is one of my favorite parts of your big day. Timing is key to a stress-free wedding, trust me time flies by like a blink of the eye. If it’s possible get into your dress early, as we love to capture you and your bridal party without feeling rushed. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Take advantage of this down time to relax while having your hair and makeup done. A few things to consider, some brides love having their families around. it’s entirely up to you but if possible please try to limit the number of people you see on your wedding morning to just only your bridal party, as having many wedding guests pop in and out to say hello while you get ready will be exhausting. Greeting guests while you get ready could take away that spare time you have from ticking off those final important tasks. This can be hectic before the main part even begins.
Hangers for your dress, plastic hangers are not too photogenic, if you have a chance please bring wooden or padded hangers with you for your wedding gown. Please have your mother or your bridesmaids with you when you are about to get your dress on, as I love to capture this precious moment. Leave your jewelry until the end, those will be wonderful shots to take x
While you're getting all dolled up and ready to shine, I'll be there capturing some amazing shots of your beautiful dress and those lovely details that make your day unique. So, how about preparing a super fun and fabulous detail box for me? It'll be like a treasure chest of enchanting items that I can use to create stunning photographs. Let's make every detail shine and sparkle together!
Details box* For Bride
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a copy of Your invitation or Save the date card
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Dress
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Hair accessories
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Rings (All rings if possible, if not no worry!)
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Shoes
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Bouquet
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Jewellery
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Perfume
For Groom****
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Tie & Cufflinks
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Shoes
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Perfume/ Aftershave
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Pen
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a copy of Your invitation or Save the date card
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Rings (All rings if possible, if not no worry!)
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Suit
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anything that you like me to capture
the following are not essential but we could use it to do something creative for you
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Ribbons (could ask your florist to spare half metre of same colour ribbon as your bouquet or you could prepare on yourself)
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loose flowers or leaves
Bridal Bouquet
When it comes to Photography I would highly recommend investing in your dream bridal bouquet and less on bridesmaids bouquets, since those won’t be photographed nearly as much. Your gorgeous bouquet can make a great impact in your wedding photographs.
Veil or not?
Veils are not for everybody. This is just a small recommendation that a simple veil blown in the wind has a bridal statement of its own. You don’t necessarily need to wear the veil all day, you could put it aside after you’ve had your brides & groom portrait done. Take a look at some of the shots below and decide for yourself if you would like to have a veil or not.
Dress reveal with parents/ bridesmaids
This part always brings tears to everyone’s eyes, his baby girl is getting married. The father of the bride is often the one to escort his baby girl to the church/venue and walk her down the aisle. This is one of the most emotional moments so you definitely don’t want to miss this beautiful opportunity. Make sure dad is dressed and ready before the brides, and is on time for his first look so I can snap away at this very precious moment.
First Look or not?
These are alternative options, it is not exactly traditional. So If you are not keen on First Looks you can go straight to the ceremony. First, let me explain what a First Look is? This is a special intimate moment in which the soon-to-be-wedded couple see each other for the first time before the ceremony, just the two of them. The reaction on the groom’s face leaves us speechless every time. Those who are not interested in First Looks seem to assume that it will not be as emotional as it would be when the groom sees his bride walking down the aisle, but that is not the case.
These are alternative options, it is not exactly traditional. So If you are not keen on First Looks you can go straight to the ceremony. First, let me explain what a First Look is? This is a special intimate moment in which the soon-to-be-wedded couple see each other for the first time before the ceremony, just the two of them. The reaction on the groom’s face leaves us speechless every time. Those who are not interested in First Looks seem to assume that it will not be as emotional as it would be when the groom sees his bride walking down the aisle, but that is not the case
Is First Look worth the trouble?
This is your only alone time together before the party begins and it can set the perfect mood for your romantic portrait. You can enjoy the surprise freely, just the two of you, and it will give you more Bride and Groom portraits where both of you look fresh and dapper. Cast away the nerves.
