Question for TOGS - just curious....

It's about the light more than anything else. I've only ever had trouble once when it ws a galley style front room with 4 people and two hair dressers in.

With one window and some really strong overhead lighting. Most of the time I'm outside shooting the details though rather than sharing the same space.

I wouldn't be too concerned either as the house has special importance. Anything you get will have so so much more meaning and relevance to you than a wide open space elsewhere and thus the photos will be great. A good tog will deliver

Not a tog, but I got ready at my parents' house and love the photos I got. It's especially good that our tog got some photos of my family rushing around too... one of my cousins still has the one of him as his profile pic on FB, 2 years on!

A year or two ago I did the getting ready shots for a bride who was in a little house that was overcrowded and I got along fine in the end. As Chris says, it all depends on the light!

I would say it doesn't matter to be honest, if they're a good photographer and know what they're doing, you'll be fine. I'm sure you'll be happy anyway, especially if the house is the house you grew up in and is important to you.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that was thinking about this!! My dresses will be hung on my mom and dads wardrobe. Not grand at all. My TOG said if I wanted to get props, like a coat stand or a free-standing mirror, I could. I don't know anyone with these though and I can't afford to buy one, so wardrobe it is!! I think my parents house is good for light, I hope so!! I know our kitchen at least isn't so, I won't be getting ready there, phew! I'm also worries about space. 4bed house, but only one bit of open space in all the bedrooms, dining room for makeup artist but I have no idea where to stick my hair dressers, should the lounge be used as a lounge or a salon/lounge, I don't want to stick her upstairs because its all a bit seperate, think I have no choice to be honest, but I am worrying about the background bits in the photos. It's all these little things!!

Definitely not ? It's all about telling the story of the day and the emotions, and whether you get ready at home or in a fancy hotel, it'll still be full of excitement and that's what a good photographer will capture for you. The wedding blogs tend to focus on the more "grand" weddings, and less normal ones - so the ones you see on there are often the more unusual!

We've photographed a lot of bridal preps in small houses and they've always been fine. If you can put your dress on in the biggest room that really helps for full length shots, and just be flexible about where you may need to do things to get the best shots, and if the rooms are quite small then try to keep the clutter to a minimum.

Hope that helps put your mind at rest ?

Noooo. I love being in the couples house or at their Parents. A small staircase doesn't mean a rubbish shot, this is one of my favourites....

She also got ready in her kitchen and dressed in a VERY small room, so small I had to stand on the bed ?

Haha, you asked for it... Sorry if they're huge!

A little flash from Emma's, who was also in a 2 bed semi ?

Mine were taken in our house and the background does show things like photos & various remanants of a real house on the morning of a wedding which I love! In the background of one of my shots, you can see my graduation picture on the cabinet & I love it! On the other hand, there is a pic of me 'fixing' my bouquet at the kitchen table & there is some noticeable evidence that my bridesmaids enjoyed the sandwiches, chocolate and tea provided for them! Not bad though but my mum was mortified that the table was messy!

I have mostly shot bridal prep at people's homes and I love the personal element of it, like I'll do some of the detail shots in the context of the family home with their pictures in the background etc. so it's a nice memory of both the wedding day and their daily lives

Not that I overthink this or anything!?

I'm getting ready at home and although my photographer isn't doing bridal prep my best friend is a very keen amateur and will be doing it for me. She loves doing detail shots and will capture it all beautifully I'm sure. I suspect she will also do the embarrassing "look at what a slob she really is" photos too with yesterdays dishes still in the sink but it will reflect us perfectly.

This wedding had some really tiny rooms:

http://chrisgilesphotography.co.uk

Love the shot of the clutch in the dishwasher!

Never underestimate how good home can be........I have been to some less than great hotel rooms and some fantastic homes....Pros get on with whatever and wherever you decide.

Below is a recent image of a bridesmaid (from a hitchers wedding) having make up applied. Available light, so no flash or supplementary lighting and the shot is literally straight out of the camera with no photoshopping.....the eyes though with a big window facing them work well.....

Peter