If you’re newly engaged or starting to plan your wedding photography timeline, you might be considering bridal portraits. What are they? When is the best time to schedule them? And most importantly, why you should add them to your wedding photography collection.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about bridal portraits so you feel confident and informed for your wedding journey!
What Are Bridal Portraits?
Bridal portraits are a dedicated session focused entirely on you in your wedding dress, separate from your actual wedding day. This moment is meant for you to shine in your wedding look without the time constraints, emotions, and logistics of your wedding day. It’s just you, your dress, and the camera, creating stunning photos that celebrate this incredible milestone in your life.
Why You Should Consider Bridal Portraits
You’ll have more time for creativity. On your wedding day, there’s a timeline to follow and a million things happening at once. A separate bridal session gives us the freedom to explore different poses, locations, and lighting without any pressure.
Your hair and makeup will be flawless. Let’s be honest, by the end of your wedding day, you might be a little windblown and tear-stained (in the best way!). Bridal portraits capture you at your absolute freshest.
It’s a dress rehearsal. Getting comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day means you’ll feel more confident and natural when it’s time for couples portraits with your partner.
It’s an experience just for you. Your wedding day is about celebrating with everyone you love. During your wedding day, you want to be as present with your new partner and family as possible. Taking bridal photos before the big day allows you to maximize your time to celebrate with loved ones!
When to Schedule Your Bridal Session
Here’s what I recommend:
Two to three months before the wedding is the sweet spot. It’s close enough that your dress alterations should be complete while also giving you enough time to receive your images back before the wedding so you can use them for added decor on your wedding day or to have them printed out as an album.
Consider the season. If you’re getting married in winter but want outdoor portraits with greenery, consider scheduling your bridal session for the fall. The beauty of a separate session is that you’re not limited by your wedding date!
Time of day matters. Golden hour (the hour before sunset) provides the most romantic, flattering light. If you’re shooting indoors at a venue like The Grand Lady, you have more flexibility, but I still love to incorporate natural window light whenever possible.
Where to Take Your Bridal Photos
Sometimes the best place to take bridal portraits is your wedding venue, depending on availability and whether they allow bridal portrait sessions. If you are eloping or having a wedding out of town, it may not always be a feasible option. The Grand Lady in Austin was a perfect venue for taking these bridal photos. This historic mansion is an absolute dream for bridal photography, and here’s why:
The Grand Lady features gorgeous architectural details, from the staircase to the crown moldings and vintage-inspired interiors. Every corner of this venue photographs beautifully. Whether your aesthetic is classic and romantic, modern and editorial, or somewhere in between, The Grand Lady offers so many pretty backdrop options! The indoor spaces allows you to get those classic bridal portrait shots, while you can get stunning photos in front of the venue outside or in the garden if the flowers are in bloom. The Grand Lady has some of the best windows that allow for some beautiful natural light to pour in, creating that soft, romantic glow for your bridal portraits.
Best Way to Prepare for Your Bridal Portrait Session
Bring your full look. That means your dress, veil, shoes, jewelry, and any other special accessories you plan on wearing on your wedding day. If you’re wearing a garter or special undergarments, bring those too.
Consider a trial run for hair and makeup. One of the tips I tell my brides is to use their bridal portrait session as an opportunity to do a full hair and makeup trial. This way, you’ll see how everything photographs and can make any adjustments before the wedding. You can make a full day out of it from getting your hair and make up done to dressing up in your wedding dress!
Steam or press your dress. Make sure your gown is wrinkle-free and looking its absolute best. Many bridal salons or dry cleaners offer steaming services.
Bring your bouquet (or not). Some brides bring their actual bouquet or a practice version, while others prefer to focus solely on the dress. Whether or not you bring a bouquet your photos will be gorgeous, it’s truly personal preference! Pro tip: If you haven’t booked your florist yet I recommend asking the florist’s you’re considering if a practice bouquet is something they offer for bridal portraits.
Pack touch-up essentials. Bring blotting papers, lipstick, a small mirror, and any other items you might need for quick touch-ups throughout the session.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking. You’ll want your wedding shoes for photos, but bring comfy shoes to change into between shots, especially if we’re moving between locations.
Eat beforehand and stay hydrated. You’ll be in your dress for a couple of hours, so make sure you’re fueled and feeling good.
Bring a helper. Having a bridesmaid, your mom, or a friend along can be incredibly helpful for adjusting your dress, holding your bouquet between shots, and keeping you relaxed and having fun.
Tips for Looking and Feeling Your Best
Trust the process. If you feel awkward or uncomfortable at first, that’s completely normal! I’ll guide you through poses and help you relax into the session. Some of the most beautiful bridal portraits come from movement from twirling, walking, and playing with your veil. Don’t be afraid to move and play, this session should be fun!
If you have a ceremony dress and a reception dress, or if you want portraits both with and without your veil, we can capture various looks during your session. When brides have two dresses on the wedding day there is always one that get a bit more photo coverage so a bridal portrait session is the perfect time to make sure we get photos in both! Bridal portraits are also a great time to capture those family heirlooms that you might be incorporating on your wedding day from a special piece of jewelry, or your grandmother’s veil, these personal touches can add that extra emotion to your photos making for the perfect gift to that family member in the future!
What to Do With Your Bridal Portraits
Once you have these stunning photos, there are so many ways to appreciate and showcase them. Here are a few of the most popular ways that people utilize their bridal portraits:
- Create a gallery wall or large canvas print for your home
- Display them at your wedding reception entrance
- Frame one as a gift for your parents or future spouse
- Keep them as an heirloom to pass down
Making the Most of Your Session
The key to amazing bridal portraits is choosing a venue and photographer who understands your vision. Bridal portraits are about more than just the photos, they’re about the experience. It’s a chance to slow down and be present during wedding planning, put on your dream dress, and feel beautiful! It’s your moment to shine, and I’d be honored to capture it for you. Ready to plan your bridal portrait session? Whether you’re dreaming of a classic indoor bridal portraits at The Grand Lady or looking to do bridal portraits at your wedding venue I’m here to help you create something beautiful! Contact me today to start planning your own bridal portraits!
