The Getting Ready Process

The getting ready process often looks very different for the guys and the girls so we are going to split them up into two different sections for today! Most of the time, Courtney goes with the ladies which Robert goes with the guys! It just makes sense, right! If this isn’t the case then we must have enough time to both see everyone!

We Arrive

When we arrive we come in and meet your bridal party, say hello, and see how everyone is doing! We always arrive at least 10 minutes early and are often there before that just scoping out the space. Once we complete the detail photos (you can read more about that here) then the getting ready part of the day begins. We will locate the best spot for the bride to get in her dress and make sure that area of the room is cleaned up and free of things that could be a distraction in the photos.

The Girls before the Bride is dressed.

1. While we are photographing details we will snap a few pictures of you while you’re finishing up your hair and makeup.
2. We will take pictures of the group of girls if you have robes or special outfits!
3. Then, we will ask the bridesmaids to get dressed first. This way everyone looks GORGEOUS and fits the look of the wedding day when the bride gets into her dress. After this the bride will get into her dress and accessories.

Getting into the dress.

1. We will have all of the girls plus mom and anyone else who is close to the bride gather behind/around the bride in the space where we found the best light. When everyone gathers around the bride it creates a beautiful setting and allows everyone to see those special moments as the bride slips into her dress. (Some brides prefer to slide in THEN come out to get zipped/tied up and that works too!)
2. The dress gets zipped/ buttoned up. We are always photographing BIG first then into small so we will get a picture of everything going on, then go in closer, to just the bride, and then even closer to the hands zipping up the dress. We photograph all of this as it is happening.
3. Following the dress the bride can then have someone special help her put the jewelry, shoes, and veil on. For photographs we think through this the same way as before, big shot, pull in closer, and then closer again.
4. As the girls are helping the bride get ready it always looks awesome if they are all gathered around her. They are welcome to fluff the bottom of her dress, hold her hand in this exciting moment, or stand back and watch!
5. Once the bride is in her dress, if we have time, we will get a few bridal portraits of the bride in the getting ready space and then we head to the next portion of the day!

Guys Getting Ready

Getting ready for the guys often varies since they can get in their suites or tuxes much faster than the ladies and hair doesn’t take nearly as long.

1. Robert will arrive and get some detail shots and
2. Then if there is time get some portraits of all the guys together.
3. He will photograph the groom slipping on his shoes and tying his tie. He looks at this in the same way as above, bigger first then pulling in for details.
4. Once the groom is in his outfit he will pull him close to a window or into some nice light and get some classic groom portraits.

 

I hope this helps you get a feel the getting ready portion of the day! As always, if you have any questions you can send us an email or list it in the comments below! Check back next Wednesday for our Ceremony process!