How to get amazing getting ready photos in your wedding

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I often get asked about getting ready photos – are they important, why, and how are they important? Well, as a dedicated storyteller and passionate documentary wedding photographer, I can safely say that this part of your day is special, memorable, and absolutely iconic! Trust me, there is a lot going on in the morning that is worth being captured. The key to amazing images, in general, is knowing their worth and having a clear understanding of the process, so here are my tips that will definitely help you get some amazing getting ready photos.

The importance of capturing getting ready images and including them in the wedding album

From the anticipation of the big moment to all those heartwarming emotions and events in between – this is a beautiful prequel and you don’t want to miss out on having it included in your album. To put it plainly, being the most experienced wedding photographer in Chicago has taught me something – when it comes to visually presenting the love story of a couple, I need to have every chapter covered. What would be a movie without an intro leading to the main event?

Think of it this way, when you take your beautiful album and open the first page, you will see a progressive visual narrative leading to the ceremony. You will be able to relive all those amazing emotions that you felt before you walked the aisle and said I DO. It is not every day that you are getting married, so the morning will be beyond special, and you will be showered with so much love and care from your loved ones. Having all of that immortalized is a precious keepsake. For example, I design bespoke wedding albums with 10 pages, and the first two are always dedicated to this part of the day.

How much time do I need as a professional wedding photographer to capture the getting ready photos?

First things first, let me ease your mind and tell you that all of my packages come with a second photographer. That means that I will cover the Bride’s getting ready images and my second shooter the Groom’s morning. For both, we need 1 hour – at least. I would always recommend having your details ready, such as having the dress hung and prepared, accessories, stationery, etc; so that we can have a head start. Also, here’s another handy tip – schedule some cushion time for the mornings because you never know what might be running late. Having extra 30 minutes planned can be a lifesaver!

Ideas for getting ready photos

When choosing a wedding photographer, it is important to see whether they pay attention to their part. Also, draft a list of your priorities and write down what are some of the getting ready pictures that are a must on the day of. This will help your documentary wedding photographer cover all of the important aspects seamlessly. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Detailed shots of the dress, various accessories, meaningful heirlooms, and ring;
• Getting pictures while reading the love letter;
• Getting images of mom/sis/friend who is helping with the dress;
• Room shots and who is doing what – ironing the veil, doing makeup, entertaining kids, popping a bottle of champagne, etc.

Of course, everything can be personalized to your preferences. The most important thing is having every part of your story covered so that you can have everlasting memories. Need an experienced Chicago wedding photographer to document your special day and tailor an artful album of your memories? Don’t hesitate to contact with me!