Bridal Prep Photos | How to Ace Them

HOW TO ACE YOUR BRIDAL PREP

The morning of a wedding is beyond exciting, but also super busy! If you’re not careful, it might not go as you planned! So, if you want to ace your bridal prep and enjoy it to its fullest, take note of these easy tips and tricks!

CREATE A BRIDAL MORNING PLAYLIST

Your bridal prep is all about getting in the zone, right? Well, here’s the secret sauce – music! Pump up the excitement by borrowing a portable speaker and blasting a playlist of absolute bangers. (Psst, a little Vengaboys never hurt anyone!) The last thing you need on your wedding morning is to worry about what to listen to. So, a couple of days before the big day, whip up a killer playlist (or snag one from Spotify), and watch as the good vibes roll in. Pro tip: the longer the playlist, the better! And make sure it’s on a loop, so those tunes keep the candid moments and energy going without a dull moment. Let’s turn that bridal prep into a party!

KEEP ALL YOUR BRIDAL DETAILS TOGETHER

You’ve scoured Instagram, Pinterest, and every wedding magazine for those perfect touches that complete your wedding look. Let’s ensure these details are not just noticed but forever remembered in your photos! I’ve got a little pro tip for you – the night before your wedding, gather all these precious items in a box. Designate one of your bridesmaids as the guardian of this treasure trove, and voila! No morning chaos, no frantic searches. It’s all about stress-free elegance!

In that magical box, toss in your engagement ring (and its box), jewellery, shoes, perfume, hairpins, your wedding invitation, and anything else sentimental you’d love to see captured in your wedding photography collection. This becomes my first mission in the morning – capturing these details so that after I work my photography magic, they’re ready for you to rock! Let’s make sure those carefully chosen details shine as bright as your love story!

DITCH THE BRA AND SOCKS

Ah, the age-old battle of bras and socks on the wedding morning – they can be the sneakiest foes! Those pesky marks they leave behind can linger for hours. Here’s a game-changing tip: embrace the comfort of PJs for as long as you can, and trade those socks for snuggly slippers. Voila! No more worrying about unsightly imprints on your skin, and your feet stay toasty warm. It’s the little things that can make your wedding morning extra cosy and stress-free!

KEEP HYDRATED

Here’s a gem of a tip to kick off a few days before your wedding: stay hydrated! Downing plenty of water works wonders by flushing out impurities, leaving your skin looking and feeling its best. It’s not just a boon for your makeup artist; it also ensures your makeup stays put without needing constant touch-ups.

But, hold on, don’t forget to keep the hydration train rolling on the morning of your wedding! With all the excitement and the whirlwind of activities, your wedding day can be a marathon. Task one of your fabulous bridesmaids with the mission of keeping your glass full – and I’m not just talking about prosecco! Trust me, you’ll appreciate this little boost as you soak in every magical moment of your incredible day. Cheers to staying refreshed and fabulous!

LIGHTING IS KEY

A little photography secret – light is everything, and natural light is our absolute best friend, especially during your bridal prep! Whether you’re getting ready at home, a hotel, or a venue, scout out that spot flooded with natural sunlight. Opt for those big windows over dingy artificial lighting any day. Why? Because us wedding photographers are head over heels for natural light!

Not only does it work wonders for your skin, giving you that radiant glow, but it also sets the stage for the most breathtaking photos. So, embrace the sunlight, and let’s make sure your bridal prep is not just a routine but a radiant experience filled with stunning moments!

TEARS BEFORE MAKEUP, LADIES!

The wedding morning is an emotional rollercoaster. Letters from parents, kind words from siblings, and hugs from loved ones – you’re bound to shed a tear or two! Now, as someone who thrives on capturing emotions, I absolutely adore these moments. However, I understand that waterworks can wreak havoc on your makeup. That’s why I have a little suggestion: schedule these heartfelt moments before you sit down for your makeup.

Typically, the bride has her makeup done closer to the end of the bridal prep to ensure it lasts longer. This also means you have more time to embrace those emotions without worrying about smudged makeup. It’s a perfect blend of heartfelt moments and flawless makeup – the ideal combination for an emotionally beautiful and picture-perfect wedding morning!

KEEP TRACK OF TIME

No matter how early you rise for your bridal prep, the morning has a knack for slipping away in the blink of an eye (picture me clicking my fingers right about now). Time can easily slip through your fingers, especially with the hustle and bustle of makeup artists and hair stylists working their magic. Now, if you’re getting ready at your venue, the presence of a wedding planner can be a game-changer in keeping things on schedule.

But what if you find yourself at home or a hotel? Fear not! Instead of turning into a bridal party of headless chickens, why not designate one of your bridesmaids as the official timekeeper? (Pssst, go for the bossiest one, but shh, let’s keep that between us.) They can keep you posted on the ticking clock, ensuring you stay on track while you focus on savoring the morning, stress-free! Because let’s face it, the last thing you need is a time-related headache on your wedding day.

Oh, as a wedding photographer, I could chat about wedding mornings all day long, but let’s wrap it up for now. I truly hope these tips sprinkle a bit of magic to help you create the wedding morning you’ve always dreamed of! If you ever want to dive deeper into wedding day wonders, I’m just a message away. Wishing you the most beautiful and dreamy wedding day, filled with love and joy! Isabelle xx

In keeping with the autumn season, Katie & Paul chose a colour scheme that matched beautifully! The flowers for the bouquet, button holes and the flower arch included autumn tones such as burnt auburn and deep green. It was a perfect choice which elevated the already stylish venue. These flowers came from the prestigious Chatsworth House gardens, which is only a matter of miles away from the venue. Chatsworth Floristry did an absolutely superb job!

“Thank you so much! They are amazing! I’m so so happy!” Katie & Paul

What a beautiful and peaceful wedding this was! It was such an honour to photograph an adoring Bride & Groom on their special day. It goes to show you, a wedding doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful… Isabelle xx

The day finally arrived… in the heatwave of August 2022. But the heat didn’t stop them! If anything, it added to the wonderful and whimsical festival vibe they had crafted with their abundance of beautiful homemade decorations. My senses were filled to the brim with colour. Whether that be from the freshly picked heather from the Peak District, the bright bunting in the garden (made specially by the students at Holly’s school), or even the bright red jars of jam made by Holly’s own Grandma! It was a feast for the eyes.

“OH MY GODDNESS!!!! We LOVE them! Absolutely want we wanted and more. Can’t stop looking at them! Can’t thank you enough!” Holly & Craig

Even in the 30-degree heat, this had to be one of THE coolest weddings! Goes to show, you don’t need to follow traditions to make it the best of days. Holly & Craig showed this in the brightest and most beautiful way… Isabelle xx

Their love of art and family brought them together, and in turn, they decided to include it in their wedding celebrations. Dedicating their special day not only to themselves but to their family too. Beginning with a traditional catholic service at St Marie’s historic and awe-inspiring church, they were then whisked away by an alternative wedding car – a vintage VW Beetle (supplied by Vintage Volks Weddings). Cruising the Sheffield city streets, these two know how to ride in style! Next stop, an absolute Sheffield highlight – “The Snog” Pete McKee mural. Not only is this an iconic feature in Sheffield, but it also holds a special place in Lizzie and Rich’s hearts. This and many other Pete McKee pieces hang proudly in the family home. If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it for yourself, what are you waiting for?

“OH MY GOD they are amazing! Thank you so much! Couldn’t have asked for a BETTER photographer and person to be at our wedding.” Lizzie & Rich

I absolutely LOVED Lizzie and Rich’s wedding day! With some traditions followed and others turned on their head, they crafted a day just for them! They certainly celebrated to the fullest… Isabelle xx