This part of the wedding day is a part that some brides really like to have in their collection of images, while others don’t really care for them much.  It’s definitely not a vital part of the day, but if it can be fit into timeline of events, and if you don’t mind the photographer being there – then it can add to the overall story of your wedding day.

Personally, I didn’t have any getting ready images of my wedding day.  I was a little self-conscious about having my photographer there while I was getting ready – but then again, my photographer was a man.  I actually had to drive to the hair salon to get my hair done (as well as my bridesmaids and my mom), and I did my own makeup (as well as my bridesmaids and my mom) – and we started really early in the morning, so I didn’t feel it was necessary to have him there at that time.  I also knew we would be too rushed and I didn’t really want him getting in my way (not that he did, but I know how I am – the more people are in a room when I’m stressed… the more frustrated I can become).  So that’s why I decided to forego any getting ready images on my own wedding day… but it is definitely something every bride should consider. 

So what does the getting ready include?  Well… that’s entirely up to you .  It can be everything from the beginning of the makeup/hair, or just the last few minutes, or just the putting on of the dress, or just the getting out of the house.  I have done each one of those scenarios at one point or another.  I always recommend to think about what you really want pictures of.  Do you want pictures of you without your makeup on at all?  Do you want pictures of the play-by-play process of your hair getting done?  Remember that getting your  hair done can take a while – and you really won’t have much variety of images (they’ll all look similar since there really isn’t much movement).  So would you like a ton of images of your hair getting done? Or just a few final shots (like the last steps of the hair do?).  Same thing goes for the makeup… you can have  your photographer be there the entire time… or just the last few minutes – when you’re getting you’re  putting on your lipstick and possibly blush.  Then you can decide if you want to have the photographer shoot the putting on of the dress… these are the most popular (and can be the most beautiful) shots of the getting ready portion of the day.  Here, you can also decide what part of the putting on of the dress you would like to have.  Do you want him/her to shoot you putting on the undergarments (like the corset/bra/petticoat)? Or would you like to start once you’re putting the dress over your head (or walking into the dress)? Or until after it’s on… do you want just the zipping up of the dress?  I always tell my clients to call me in when they’re ready and comfortable with us starting to shoot.  Some brides are very open and comfortable from the beginning, while others just want the zipping up of the dress – and either way is perfectly fine.  So definitely think about what you are comfortable with…and discuss it with your photographer.  Remember that if you will be getting an on-line gallery, all of these images will go on there as well… if you would like to shoot from the beginning, but don’t want some of these on the gallery – make sure to tell your photographer so that they exclude them from the gallery. 

During this time before the ceremony, if you have some extra time, you can always take advantage and shoots some family portraits that you can take off your list of formal shots. 

So how long do you really need for getting ready shots? Typically I recommend about 1 to 1.5 hours tops – but I have done getting ready shots in as little as 15 minutes (when the bride has a limited timeline but still wants these shots).  Typically I start the day one the hair has been started, so we capture the last phases of the hair do process, and plenty of the putting on of the makeup.  I usually don’t recommend starting earlier than that because typically you will not want to see hundreds of images of the play-by-play of each strand of hair being put in place.  In the couple of occasions when I have had to do them in 15 minutes or less, that’s usually because we are low on time – so the bride and I have discussed ways to be efficient during this time.  This means that their hair and makeup are totally done – I shoot her putting on her lipstick and touching up her blush – this creates the look of those shots and only takes a few seconds.  Then we shoot her putting on her jewelry (also just a few seconds).  Then the dress, and the shoes … all done the last 10 minutes (since the dress can take a while to put on depending on the number of buttons or lace-ups).  Then we’re off to the ceremony!  I know it seems quite rushed, but it can be done!

So make sure you discuss your getting ready needs with your photographer…you guys can come up with a good timeline and discuss what you would like to capture. 

Getting Ready series...