Bride getting ready for her wedding at Lazy S Hacienda, with bridesmaid helping her put on shoes.

A Fort Worth Wedding Photographer’s Guide to Gorgeous Getting Ready Wedding Photos

Not every bride chooses to have the getting ready moments captured, and that’s totally okay! But if you do, thoughtful planning can make all the difference in preserving the excitement, emotion, and details of this special part of your day. Here are some essential tips to ensure your getting ready wedding photos are as stunning as you are…

Choose a Spacious Room With Plenty of Natural Light

A well-lit room will enhance the quality of your photos. Consider a room with large windows for ample natural light. Also, space to move around allows for more flexibility and creative angles.

Minimize Clutter

While it’s unrealistic to expect a perfectly tidy room on your wedding day, try to minimize the clutter. I will photograph the chaos as is, so if there’s clutter in the background, it will likely be in your photos.

Invest in a Quality Hanger

If you want your dress photographed, invest in a beautiful, sturdy hanger with a swivel hook. I don’t mean to get all Mommie Dearest on you, but NO WIRE (or plastic) HANGERS, as they can look less appealing.

Gather Your Details Ahead of Time

I typically start with detail photos as soon as I arrive. It is super helpful and efficient if you gather your items of importance beforehand. This streamlines the process and ensures we don’t miss anything.

Here’s a checklist of items you may want to set aside for your detail photos:

rings (all three of them)
jewelry
dress + veil or any hair pieces
shoes
invitations
perfume
bouquets + boutonnieres (ask your florist to include a few loose blooms for styling)
vow books or letters
any extra ribbons, accents, or family heirlooms

Stick to Your Timeline

To avoid running behind schedule, double the estimated time for hair, makeup, and travel. This will ensure we have plenty of time for photos before the ceremony and minimize feeling rushed and stressed on your wedding day.