10 Tips for getting ready -  How to Start Your Wedding Day with a Bang

Hey lovely brides-to-be! I’m so excited to be sharing some tips with you on how to make your wedding day even more special and memorable. I know that with all the planning and preparation, it can be easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed, especially on the morning of the big day. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing the most important moments of many couples’ lives. And I always aim to create the best possible photos for my clients. That’s why I’ve come up with some tips that will not only help you feel more relaxed and confident but will also make for beautiful, natural-looking photos.

On every wedding morning, I like to take a documentary approach to my photography, capturing real moments as they happen. So, it’s important for me as well that my brides are relaxed, happy and enjoying this special moment. Let’s get started and make the most of your wedding morning!

So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and let’s get ready to make your wedding day the absolute best it can be!”

Getting ready for the big day is one of the most exciting parts, but it can also be a bit stressful. To make sure everything runs smoothly and you’re ready to walk down the aisle without a worry in the world you should think about a timeline. This will help you keep track of time and avoid any last-minute stress. Make sure you’re realistic with how long everything will take, and give yourself some extra time just in case something unexpected comes up. And speaking of the unexpected, make sure you have a backup plan in case your makeup artist or hairstylist is running late.

• Plan ahead for hair and makeup to ensure sufficient time.
  Makeup: 30–45 minutes per person | 60–90 minutes for the bride
  Hair: 30–45 minutes per person | 60–90 minutes for the bride
• Begin with the bride’s makeup application before moving on to others.
• Have the photographer arrive an hour early.
• When traveling to a salon, keep in mind that it may take twice as long, so plan accordingly.

The bottom line is, getting ready for your wedding day should be a fun and stress-free experience. By following these tips and allowing yourself enough time to get ready, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the lead-up to your big day.

If you’re getting ready at your parent’s house or at home, make sure to tidy up the room you’ll use for hair and makeup. Most homes have clutter that could end up in your wedding photos, so take 5 minutes to remove any unnecessary items the night before. This will help your wedding photographer take great shots without having to crop out clutter or only shoot from certain angles. Also, make sure to create enough space for your hair and makeup artists to set up their products.

The same goes for getting ready in a venue room. Give it a quick tidy-up before your hairdresser, makeup artist, and photographer arrive. Hide your luggage, ask the personnel staff to clear breakfast dishes and any leftover drinks and glasses.

A good night’s sleep is essential for feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your wedding to ensure you wake up feeling your best.
Don’t drink any alcohol before sleep. Alcohol is a sedative, and although it can help you fall asleep faster, it also causes disruptions in your sleep patterns, leading to lighter, less restful sleep. This can leave you feeling tired and groggy the next day.

Start your day with a nutritious and calming breakfast. This could be something as simple as a smoothie or avocado toast, or a more elaborate spread with your bridesmaids. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will fuel you and set a positive tone for the day ahead.

Don’t try to do everything alone. Get your bridesmaids or pro stylists to help with hair and makeup so you can kick back and relax. This will keep stress low and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Your girls got your back: Remember, you’re not in this alone. Your bridesmaids are there to help with everything wedding-related and they want to be involved. Don’t be shy to ask for their help. Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to lend a hand. Assign tasks like organizing the room, chatting with makeup artists, or moving your dresses, shoes, and other stuff to one room. They’re eager to help make your day as seamless as possible.

Wherever you’re getting ready on your wedding day, make sure all your important details are together so I can snap pics of all the thoughtful touches. This includes invites, rings (don’t forget the groom’s!), a veil, shoes, a dress, perfume, jewelry, flowers, and any other little things you want to be captured. Pro tip: having two sets of invites makes my job easier and lets me take pics of both sides at once.

Take off all the tags, including on your jewelry, veil, dress, and shoes. A cute hanger can show off your dress before you put it on. And last but not least, have your bouquets and boutonnieres delivered to the getting-ready spot for when I arrive so I can capture them before the first look!

It’s important to have someone you trust, like a bridesmaid or coordinator, carry a kit with essentials that you may need during the day. A well-stocked emergency kit should have items like stain removers, scissors, a mini sewing kit, hairspray, safety pins, bobby pins, energy bars, gum, breath mints, q-tips, band-aids, tampons, deodorant, makeup remover, and pain relief medication. Having these items on hand can help you handle unexpected emergencies and make the day less stressful. You never know what kind of spills or mishaps may happen, so it’s always best to be prepared.

When getting your makeup done, it’s crucial to choose a location with ample natural light or makeup stations. While many makeup artists prefer using a ring light, it can produce harsh, unflattering light that accentuates skin imperfections and leaves an unnatural orange tint on your makeup. The harsh light from the ring light can also cause technical difficulties for cameras and be an unwelcome distraction in photos. To ensure beautiful, soft light in your photos, have your makeup done near a window where natural light can shine through. Make sure that the location you choose has enough space for both the makeup artist and your bridal party to get ready comfortably, without having to compete for natural light.

When getting ready for your wedding, wearing matching outfits is a fun and practical way to create a cohesive look while you’re getting your hair and makeup done. Consider matching robes for the bride and her bridesmaids. Not only will it add to the special ambiance of the day, but it can also make for a memorable and photogenic moment, like a champagne toast in matching attire. Choosing coordinated outfits for the morning of the wedding can be a great way to bond with your bridal party and create lasting memories.

To avoid ruining your hairstyle, it’s best to wear something that can be easily taken on and off, like a robe or a button-down shirt.  Additionally, if your wedding dress is strapless or backless, it’s recommended to not wear a bra on the morning of your wedding to prevent strap marks from showing in your photos.

Practicing putting on your wedding dress is a crucial step in the preparation process, yet it’s often overlooked. It’s important to choose someone to help you with your dress, who will stay with you until you are ready to walk down the aisle.

This person should practice putting on your dress, even if it’s just on the hanger, to familiarize themselves with the process. Some wedding dresses have intricate bodices, delicate buttons, and unexpected loops that can be difficult to manage. To ensure a smooth process, consider bringing the person who will help you get dressed to the bridal shop or dressmaker, where they can receive instructions on how to properly put on the dress and pin the skirt in place. It’s especially challenging to put on dresses with small buttons on the back, so it’s important to consider the length of your helper’s nails.