Bridal Portraits - What to Know To Make Yours Spectacular

Bridal portraits once a very southern thing has now spread into other parts of the country. Bridal portraits are the photographs a bride has taken in her wedding finery before her wedding day. They used to be of the bride in a photographer’s studio gracefully sitting on a bench or leaning against a chair. They were destined to hang on her mother’s wall. Not anymore. Think model shots, with magazine styling and pizzazz. They are taken outdoors in gardens, in warehouses, at mansions, just about anywhere the photographer can take his equipment and the bride can maneuver her dress. I tell my brides this is your one day to be totally the center of attention, a star with her own entourage and photographers. Enjoy it.

Now what do you need to know to actually enjoy this experience?

Try to book it during warm weather. Even if you wedding is being held in the dead of winter, as soon as your dress is in and altered, set up the portrait session. Spring or fall is your best bet. You don’t want it either too hot or too cold. If it is going to be cool, plan on bringing a wrap to put on your shoulders between shots. If it’s hot, you will need water to drink and powder to touch up shine from sweating.

Have your florist do a bridal portrait bouquet. It should be a smaller version of what you will carry on the wedding day. It is an excellent trial run to make sure you and the florist are on the same page. The same goes for your hair and makeup. This is the time to make sure everything works as you planned.

Bring your wedding shoes, but also bring some comfortable walking shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and you don’t want to get the wedding shoes dirty before the big day.

Be sure someone, the photographer or your planner brings a clean sheet for you to stand on when posing. You don’t want grass stains or mud on the hem of your dress. The sheet will be tucked up under your dress so that it doesn’t show in pictures.

Try to do the pictures in a spot that offers somewhere for you to change in and out of your wedding dress. It is better if you don’t have to wear your dress in the car to your shoot.

Make sure if the pictures are being done in a public park that all the fees have been paid by the photographer. Some photographers have been known to try and sneak by without paying the fee. You don’t want to be all dressed and ready to then have to leave because a fee hasn’t been paid.

The bridal portrait shoot should be one of those special and fun memories. This is your chance to practice all those diva moves you’ve done in front of the mirror for years, a real red carpet moment. Let your inner star shine and get model worthy pictures.