Getting ready photos

I'll be having them but a friend I was bridesmaid for didn't and we all just took photos amongst ourselves which, while not as arty as professionals by any means, are lovely and candid. There's still ones of trying out the veil, lacing up the dress etc. Do what's right for you within your budget.

Never really understood why people want/need photos of themselves getting ready...

This seems like a much better use of your tog.

H definitely didn't want any of him getting ready. Coverage of me getting ready was part of my package so I had them.

I'm a firm believer in getting what your budget allows and photos of the day are obviously more important if your budget doesn't stretch.

Just as an aside, my favourite photos from the morning aren't of me - they're of the reactions of my mam and BMs when I was in my dress and the pictures of my dad seeing me for the first time.

e.g.:

Bridal preps are one of my favourite parts of the day. Just seeing the excitement and then the realisation of what is about to happen.

Mum or Dad's first look always makes my eyes leak too.

Lovely photo's Kharv. ?

@Op

I think it depends. Not always, but sometimes there is quite allot going on during the morning. If this is the case then there is allot for the photographer to capture.

This is all part of the story and to me no less important.

Have a chat with you photographer about it. He/she doesn't need to be stood there pointing a camera at you the whole time, instead he can capture all the things you miss and that H never get's to see.

If you check out the below link, it may give you a different perspective from what you might necessarily expect from getting ready pictures.

Link

ps

Also, it allows you to get acclimated to being photographed while you are not under so much pressure.

Ive just thought of somthing else, somtimes the weather forcast will be rain later and the morning could be the only chance you get for some photos outside

Go with with what's important to you!

As a photographer, I like this part of the day as it's a time to get to know people who are close to the couple a little bit, and it's quite an intimate part of the day. It's also a time to get a few creative shots too.

Depending on how your photographers packages work, it may be a case of choosing between bridal prep photos or extra coverage of the reception so choose which you feel you would most like to look back on.

Although they won't be up to the professionals standard, your friends and family are bound to take plenty of photos, especially once they see you in the dress so these will still be treasured photos! :-D

All the key stuff has been covered really but having been present at so many prep sessions and seeing the outcome I really couldn't imagine my wedding photos without it. The beautiful photos posted above demonstrate why. I think i'd feel I was missing out or that I had an incomplete set otherwise.

Obviously be guided by your budget and what it will allow for, but I wouldn't have thought you'd get much of a discount for giving prep a miss prep. As RR said, you may be able to switch that time for more coverage later on, or swap for something else if that's more your thing? Unless the discount was quite hefty, i'd be inclined to go for prep included myself.

Personally I;m going to go against what most of the photographers opinion on the "bridal prep" part.

It's included in what I provide and I always think it looks good and helps to tell the story but in all honesty it rarely makes the album, or if it does then it only gets one spread at most.

A lot of people have it because it's kind of expected and they go with what others have done but the brides of mine who didn't want it - never missed it.

That being said. I do think it can look great

Our togs include bridal prep in their price and isn't costing anymore, but we'd have paid a bit extra for it anyway as I want the pics of those moments in the morning having some fun with BM's and my mum etc, plus i'm looking at it as having some "comfortable" time in front of the camera before the walking down the aisle moment etc ?

We did without the engagement shoot and cut costs that way, but its whatever you want on your day and if they're not important to you and you can cut costs with it then you could go without.


Love that last pic Kharv

Depends on what is important to you, do you want the whole story of your day recorded or just a part, think ahead for one minute, open up your album or run that slideshow that has no morning of the wedding photos, would you mind that, I know I couldn't and would want the whole wedding day recorded but then that's just me.

I love the morning/prep shots, its a good time to get to get some stunning photos & also get to know people and who is who and it always relaxes the parents who believe me are more nervous than you are.

I have just moved my site to a new domain and so far I think have uploaded about 15 weddings which start from getting ready to past the first dance, take a look if you want, just click the image in my sig.

I had them for my photos and they are some of the best photos... I love the little moments caught in the middle of everyone running around trying to getting ready. Even down to my Dad cooking bacon and bacon sarnies on the BBQ for breakie. Would you agree Nicola (Daffoldil Waves) ?!

xx

I am having the photographer in the room with me, I also want the shot of my dad's face when he first sees me x

Thank you for all of your replies. I've just met with the photographer and seen the most beautiful albums - including getting ready shots. They really do start the story. I think I may have found my photographer! How exciting!!!

I think my problem is I've never spent as much money on one single thing as I am for the wedding and it makes me nervous, but I can totally appreciate that it is worth spending the money on some things and this is one of them.

Brilliant, you won't regret it and glad we can help.?

All I'm thinking now is how good those bacon sarnies were!

A big yes from me.

Your day will fly by in a blink of an eye its great to have lots of pics to look back on throughout the whole day.

As I often say, you should love your photographer's work more than his price. Sounds like you've found the right photographer for you and glad it includes the bridal prep because from the sounds of things you wanted it and was trying to talk yourself out of it. It rarely works.

From a different perspective, one Fellow of the BIPP commented to me once that the point at which the dress has gone on and the hair and make up is perfect, is a great time to get great photographs because everything is pristine and the bride is perfect. There will be nerves and emotions going on and a good photographer will capture these ranges of emotion through to the joy of being married.

Peter

Good call I think! I find some of the loveliest shots come from this part of the day. It also gives everyone in the room a chance to get used to having lenses around and a bit of practice at ignoring them which makes for much more natural shots as the day goes on.

I know it is often on of the biggest single expenses but it's one of the only things you'll be left with in years to come, so it's more of a long term investment in the long run I reckon.

Glad you have found your photographer

I'm not having prep photos because our house is small enough with me, 5 bridesmaids and a Best woman all getting ready/making bouquets/icing cakes wihtout having a third party there possibly photographing the clutter!

...and to say; I got married in 1991. It was unheard of for prep photos then. The look on my Dad's face when he saw me in my dress for the first time is something I'll never ever forget and no picture of it will make that memory clearer.

Spend your money on what is important to you. Never mind what anyone else has done or will do: make it your day, not the suppliers'.

Go with your gut girl, maybe nice to have a few getting ready shots but wouldn't go overboard.

Ouch, I feel old now......I was doing Bridal prep shots back in the 80s.......

Peter

I'm not having prep shots because most of my girls would be uncomfortable with someone else around while we're getting sorted.

Controversially, I'm also not a fan of the so called "classic" shot of the dress hanging up - to my eyes they always look a bit sad and forlorn. Personal opinion obviously.

I'm having two togs so one will be with me and the girls and then my son. The other with the boys and spending some time with the guests while I make them wait

At the end of the day - if it's part of a package there's nothing lost. You don't have to have them taken if you don't want to, or use them if you don't like the end result, but I'd feel it was a lost opportunity.

I totally agree with this. I will photograph it as part of the coverage although prefer to see the dress on the bride rather than a hanger.

Peter

I think it's really love;y to have them and it was a non-negotiable for me. I'm really looking forward to getting a few shots of myself with my best friend and my Mum getting excited as I'm not sure there will be the same opportunity later in the day when there are far more guests about.

I've been planning outfits I'm that excited about it! I know what you mean about the empty dress shot too but no harm in doing it. Same with the perfume and shoes thing.

I wasn't too fussed about having them but my TOG is my dads Oldest friend and has known me since I was born so he wanted to do them more for my parents really. He is going to head of before we all leave to get got shots of the guests arriving etc xx

I think getting ready is very important part of the day.

In my opinion the anticipation and emotions are absolutely precious to capture. As being wedding photographer for many years, these moments are my most favorite. It's just a Cinderella story unwrapped in real life every time. Nothing can be compared to the first tears when your close ones see you for the first time in a beautiful wedding gown.

Also this is very important moments for the photographer, as this is when you get used to the camera and build rapport between you and your photographer.

In many cases the full coverage packages already include the bride preparations with no extra charge.

Best of luck!