Getting Ready to Get Ready: Setting the Stage for Your Closeup | Boston Wedding Photography
A bride peeks out from behind her door while getting ready at a small house on Cape Cod to make sure that the groom doesn’t accidentally see her while she gets ready for the ceremony.
There’s a certain kind of chaotic energy early on a wedding day when everyone is getting ready. As a more documentary wedding photographer, it’s one of my favorite times of the day because there’s so much raw emotion (especially if there are mimosas) and so many visually powerful moments as the wedding turns from this distant idea into something real and present - it’s like a magical girl transformation scene played out in slow motion.
So how do you make the most of these moments? After more than a decade as a wedding photographer in Boston, I’ve got a few tips…
Natural Light - Pouring through windows, natural light can give everything an amazing glow and a well-lit room is going to make things a lot easier for your styling team then working under some harsh overhead fluorescents like you might find in a hotel conference room.
Get Your Details Ready - If you’ve been obsessing over flat lays on Pinterest and spend about half your time wedding planning finding the perfect accessories, then you’ll want to make sure your details are front and center. Have all the little touches like your invitation suite, florals, accessories, and statement pieces ready to go in one place for your photographer.
Tidy Up - Getting ready can be chaotic, especially if you’re in a smaller space. With a dozen people unpacking and snacking, the trash can start to pile up. Designate someone to keep some of the spaces clean so that one bag of Doritos doesn’t show up in every picture.
No Wire Hangers - You don’t have to go full “Mommy Dearest” but if you’re getting shots of your dress or other attire, find some nice wooden or padded hangars. They look nice and they’re kinder to your garments.
Gift Exchange - Many couples will give their wedding party gifts ahead of the event, it can be very fun to make this a moment while getting ready - especially if you want the gifts incorporated into your party’s look.
Expect Delays - Time is probably the most precious commodity on your wedding day, give yourself a little extra room to maneuver at the start of the wedding day. If everything goes smoothly you get a few extra minutes for portraits or just some extra time to breathe and enjoy the time spent with the people that you’re closest to.
A copy of a pawprint from a beloved pet that had passed embroidered onto the train of the wedding dress; an antique rosary passed down from a grandmother. Details can matter when you’re bringing your wedding together and gathering them up makes it quick to capture them on your wedding day.
The right space and the right atmosphere can really make a difference when it comes to getting ready for your wedding - whether you’re looking to have an island of calm before the storm or you’re looking to get hyped up with your best friends. Are you planning your wedding? Where are your parties going to be getting ready?
Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.