Destination Wedding Checklist: A Comprehensive Timeline
WHAT IS A BRIDAL SHOOT & WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE ONE?
If you have been reading our blog for a while now, you will have noticed the odd Bridal shoot being shared here on occasion. Although at my last count we had only featured 2 (which is just a huge shame!) and I must be completely honest when I tell you that until today, I had never really understood why some brides chose to have a bridal shoot and others didn’t? So for those of you, who like me, have no idea about what a bridal shoot actually is, then you are in luck because today I am dedicating this post to clueing you up on the basics and my top 5 reasons for making bridal shoots more of a ‘thing’ in the UK, because I just love them!
Bridal shoots are way more popular in the US, more specifically they have been hailed as a very southern tradition – although I am not really sure how true that is? Commonly brides would have portraits taken with their wedding photographer a few weeks or months before the wedding in their full wedding attire, complete with hair, makeup, bouquet, veil and of course the dress. The portraits were then given as gifts to the family and sometimes displayed at the wedding. However since doing my research I have realised that bridal shoots have recently taken a little shift. More than ever brides are now using their shoots to step outside of the box and as we are all for that here, I couldn’t pass up on an opportunity to encourage more of you to take part so here are my top 5 reasons for having a bridal shoot.
1. This is your time to get creative!
What I love about the ‘wedding industry’ now, is that I personally feel it has become so much more creative. If you are anything like me you will no doubt have a tonne of ideas of how you want your wedding to look however it isn’t always possible to create absolutely everything you have in mind, so this is where shoots like this come in especially handy. Perhaps you have a location in mind that you would have liked to have got married but logistics meant it wasn’t possible, why not use the location for your bridal shoot instead. Maybe you wanted to include your pets at your wedding but wasn’t sure how? Include them in your bridal shoot of course! Consider the styling, you might have had conflicting styles for the big day and found yourself choose one or the other, so how about using the other in your shoot? That way you have the best of both worlds.The opportunities are endless, so dont hold back!
2. Get comfortable with your Photographer
For many of you, your wedding day will be the first time you experience what it is like to have professional photos taken. For some, the very thought can be particularly terrifying, which is why I would advise that you use every opportunity to get some practice in before the big day. Engagement shoots and bridal shoots are the perfect examples of things you can do before your wedding to build confidence and get used to how your photographer works. They can also give you hints and tips on how to look more natural in your photographs and what better time to give it a go. By the time your wedding day swings around you will be a pro!
3. Use it as a Sneak Peek
Very often the wedding day will be the first time that a bride sees herself in all her full wedding attire glory. Although the notion is very romantic, I’m not sure I am brave enough to leave this to the last day, personally I like to try things out beforehand. It might seem a tad controlling but I like to be prepared what can I say. Use your bridal shoot as a practice run, schedule in your hair and makeup trials for the same day so that you have a better idea of how everything will look together. You never know after seeing the images you might decide you would like to wear your hair differently or perhaps you think the makeup needs to be toned down for the photos, unless everything is spot on, in which case you will glide down the aisle with the confidence that you are hot to trot!
4. Do yourself a favour
Im sure there are many brides out there that will agree with me when I say, your wedding day will flash by in a whirlwind of strict timelines and schedules, which is why I am fan of getting as much done before the day as possible. If you want to spend your day totally relaxed and having fun the key is organisation. So instead of scheduling in extra time for portraits on the day, why not do them beforehand? Thats not saying you can’t have any on the day, of course you can! It just means you will get a large chunk of photos done previously, in a more relaxed and natural setting.
5. Treat yourself
Last but certainly not least, use the day as the perfect excuse to pamper. Enjoy having your hair and makeup done, wear your fave dress and play model for the day. Go on you deserve it after all the hard work you have put in!
Super Suppliers: Photographer: The Art & Photography of Candra George//Equipment Rentals & Event Venue: Ardor // Submitted via Two Bright Lights//
xxx
Amazing photos! I especially love the one with the bride on the bench!
I like the wedding dress, it looks so beautiful.
Helpful tips, and get it!