Choose a large, well lit space
Light is your biggest friend! Large windows with plenty of natural light will make for the most gorgeous photos! And your MUA will be grateful for it too!
If you’re planning on getting ready at your venue then check out the room that you’ll be using. Ideally you want a big enough space so there’s plenty of room to easily fit all of your bridal party and space for your hair stylist and make up artist to work.
Bridal party’s can vary in size remarkably so bear in mind how many of you there will be on the morning and plan for a getting ready space that can comfortably fit you all.
Would you like to do a reveal to your bridal party?
A reveal to your bridal squad is such an incredible moment, one that you will not want to forget! It makes for such a special photograph of you with your loved ones.
There are a few different ways that we can arrange a reveal, so let me know if this is something you'd like to include in your wedding morning.
Try keep the space tidy and free from clutter
Now the last thing you want to worry about on the morning of your wedding is tidying. But ask your bridesmaids to help try keep the prep space free from clutter. Dirty plates, piles of clothes and bright orange Sainsbury’s bags tend to ruin the aesthetic of your beautiful prep photos!
Consider what you would like everyone to wear for getting ready
If you are choosing to have photos of your bridal prep then it’s worth having a little think about what you’d like everyone to wear whilst getting ready. Not everyone needs to be in a matching outfit but it’s worth thinking about how you will all look together for those photos. There are so many lovely options out there for bridal and bridesmaid pyjamas, robes etc. Just remember that you don’t really want anything like a tight t shirt as you need to be able to remove it without ruining your beautiful hair and make up.
Have any details ready that you’d like photographed
Have a think about any extra details you’d like photographed and have them gathered together in advance so your photographer can play around with creating some beautiful detail shots and flat lays. Things you may want to include are: your perfume, shoes, any jewellery that you’re planning on wearing including your rings, your veil, wedding stationary such as your invites, your flowers and any hair pieces.
Remember to remove bra straps and watches
Remember that strap marks can show for quite a while after you remove the items, so it’s best to remember to remove bras, watches etc in advance. Remove anything that might leave a strap mark that will show up when you’re wearing your dress, especially if your dress is strapless or backless.
Consider getting some pretty hangers for yours and your bridesmaids dresses
It’s always lovely to capture some shots of your dress hanging before you wear it and all the bridesmaids dresses too. Wooden or painted white hangers look much more pleasing to the eye than the cheap metal or mismatched hangers. You could even choose to get personalised hangers for you and your bridesmaids.
Steam any dresses the night before
Steaming dresses is not something you want to be worrying about on the morning of your wedding. If possible try and steam any dresses the night before. Not only does it take up precious time on your wedding morning but it can also ruin your beautiful hair and make up!
Give yourself plenty of time
Bridal prep takes longer than you think. Your hair and MUA will be able to advise you on specific timings depending on the size of your bridal party. You generally want to aim to be getting into your dress around an hour before your ceremony starts.
This may sound like a long time but it’ll give you a chance to get plenty of photos in your dress with your bridal party and any other family members. You will generally need to speak to your registrar briefly, prior to the ceremony too. It will also allow time for any last minute touch ups of hair and back up. Finally, it gives you a chance for some breathing space to calm any nerves before heading down the aisle.
Relax and enjoy it!!!
And most importantly relax, take it all in and enjoy it! Now this is far easier said than done, but enjoy the process and the big build up to your wedding day. Enjoy being pampered and having your favourite people around you hyping you up. Put on a playlist of your favourite music to set the vibe, pop some fizz and enjoy this special moment.
But I can’t talk, I was a nervous hot mess who was forcing down plain bread to settle a nervous tummy and I forgot most of these tips listed above 😅
Devon venues with great bridal prep space...
If you’re looking for a Devon wedding venue with a great space for bridal prep then check out some of these wonderful venues:
Upton Barn
A lovely barn venue a short drive from Exeter
Rockbeare Manor
A gorgeous manor house on the outskirts of Exeter
Watermouth Cove
A stunning coastal venue in North Devon
www.watermouthcoveweddings.co.uk
All images by Claire Rivers Photography