Getting Ready: What to Consider for the Most Beautiful Wedding-Morning Photos

Getting ready is, to me, the most honest part of a wedding. Long before the big "I do", the quiet moments happen here: the butterflies, the trembling hands doing up the buttons, the last glance in the mirror. That is exactly why I love documenting the getting ready on a wedding day. So this hour stays calm and the photos turn out beautifully, here is what truly matters.

Why getting ready is so special

When I arrive in the morning, the mood is often a mix of anticipation, excitement and loving nerves. You never get those feelings back later, and that is exactly what makes the images so precious.

Getting ready tells the very beginning of your story that day. It shows you as you really are: surrounded by the people closest to you, in the middle of a moment you have pictured for a long time. Anyone who looks at these photos can feel just how much heart lives in these few minutes.

The right room: light, space and tidiness

The place where you get ready shapes the quality of the photos far more than most people expect. I am often asked whether you need something special for it, and the answer is simpler than you think.

Daylight beats any lamp

Soft window light is the most beautiful light there is for prep photos. That is why I always ask to set up the getting-ready area near a large window. Ceiling lamps and warm artificial light tend to mix with the daylight and create unflattering colour casts.

Picture yourself stepping into your dress by the window, that is exactly where the image becomes magical.

Less clutter, more calm

A tidy room instantly looks more elegant and serene in photos. You do not need elaborate décor, it is enough to keep one corner clear:

• move suitcases, garment bags and empty coffee cups aside
• take cables, make-up kits and packaging out of the main light
• create a bright, free surface for the detail shots

When the background is calm, you and your emotions come through in the image far more strongly.

Plan enough time

Time pressure is the biggest enemy of relaxed getting-ready photos. When time runs short, everything gets hectic, and unfortunately you can see it in the pictures.

As a rough guide, I like to plan it like this:

• 60–90 minutes for the bride, including getting dressed and the details
• 20–30 minutes for the groom
• a buffer of 15–20 minutes, because something always comes up

My most important tip: have hair and make-up finished a little earlier than the schedule says. That leaves room for the beautiful, unposed moments instead of jumping into the dress at the very last second.

Lay out the details, ideally the evening before

The small things tell the big story. So I can photograph them atmospherically, gather everything in one place. That way no one has to go searching in the morning.

This includes, for example:

• the rings
• the invitation and menu card
• shoes and jewellery
• the perfume
• flowers or the bridal bouquet, if it has already arrived
• something personal, something borrowed or a handwritten letter

I like to photograph the rings and the invitation first, while hair and make-up are still in progress. That way we use the time perfectly without it ever feeling like a photo shoot.

What to wear while getting dressed

In the getting-ready photos you are not yet in your wedding outfit, and that is completely fine. Still, it is worth thinking briefly about what you wear beforehand.

Beautiful, matching robes, a soft shirt or a simple top look calmer in photos than a colourful everyday tee. Also make sure the dress is easy to slip over your head or shoulders, a dress that laces or buttons often creates the most beautiful, film-like moments.

Who should be there while you get ready

Getting ready thrives on closeness. It is at its most beautiful with the people around whom you can simply let go, your mum, your maid of honour, your best friend, maybe the children.

My advice: keep the circle small and calm. The more relaxed the mood in the room, the more honest the images become. A crowded, loud room tends to create stress rather than lovely memories.

If you like, we can plan a small, intentional moment in advance, such as doing up the dress together or a shared glance between you and your mum. For me, moments like these are among the most emotional of the whole day.

If you are dreaming of exactly these honest, quiet images for your big day, feel free to explore my wedding photography or take a look at my pricing and packages. If you would like to get into the mood beforehand, you will find more stories in the journal, for example around the bachelorette party photoshoot. And when it feels right for you, I would love it if you got in touch to request your date, let's plan your getting ready together.