How to Get Gorgeous Getting Ready Photos on Your Wedding Day
Getting Ready Photos: Why They Matter & How to Set the Scene
As a wedding photographer, I totally get why couples often overlook the importance of getting ready photos. But trust me—they play a huge role in telling the full story of your wedding day. This part of the morning is filled with excitement, anticipation, and some of the sweetest moments with your closest loved ones.
If you want your getting ready photos to feel intimate, authentic, and beautifully you, here are a few things to consider when choosing your space and setting the scene for this first chapter of your wedding day.
1. Choose a Space with Plenty of Natural Light
Lighting is everything in photography, and natural light is always the most flattering. When picking your getting ready space, look for a room with at least one large window—the more, the better! I always position my couples near a window for soft, even lighting that enhances skin tones and creates that gorgeous, natural glow.
Bonus tip: If your venue’s getting ready space lacks natural light, don’t stress! We’ll scout a spot the morning of your wedding to find the best lighting for details and portraits.
2. Keep the Space Free of Clutter
I get it—the morning of your wedding is a whirlwind. Between hair and makeup stations, dress steaming, and last-minute touches, things can get messy fast. Water bottles, makeup bags, hairspray, and… bras on the couch are totally normal—but they don’t belong in your photos.
Keeping the space near the windows free of distractions will save valuable time and make your images look clean and polished. The last thing you want is to see a half-eaten bagel in the background of your bridal portraits! If possible, designate a bridesmaid or family member to help tidy up before your photographer arrives.
3. Gather All Your Details Ahead of Time
Before the wedding morning, collect all the important details you’d like photographed—your gown, veil, jewelry, perfume, vow book, invitation suite, and any sentimental heirlooms. Keeping everything in one place makes it so much easier for your photographer to grab and start shooting right away.
I personally love to start the day by capturing these details first, so being prepared helps keep the timeline running smoothly. Pro tip: Let someone in your wedding party know where everything is so they can direct your photographer if you’re busy getting your glam on!
4. Keep All Three Rings for Flat Lay Photos
For those dreamy detail shots, make sure all three rings—your engagement ring and both wedding bands—are in the getting ready room. Often, the best man already has the groom’s ring, but if you want a flat lay shot that includes all three, plan ahead to keep them with you in the morning.
Once detail photos are finished, you can pass the groom’s ring back to the best man for safekeeping.
5. Ensure Hair & Makeup Are Finished Before Photos Begin
I don’t know about you, but I definitely wouldn’t want photos taken before my hair and makeup are completely done!
Some couples initially think their photographer should arrive at the same time hair and makeup begin—but in reality, I typically arrive as things are wrapping up. If you’d like a few “getting ready” shots of your glam team in action, we can capture some finishing touches (like a final lipstick application or setting spray spritz) once you’re nearly photo-ready.
Most hair and makeup artists will time their schedule to ensure the wedding party is glammed and ready by the time photos begin—so be sure to coordinate with them to plan backward from our start time!
Quick Recap:
✔ Choose a space with plenty of natural light
✔ Keep the area near windows free of clutter
✔ Gather all your details ahead of time
✔ Keep all three rings for flat lay photos
✔ Make sure hair & makeup are finished before photos begin
