Today I wanted to give my gorgeous brides some advice on wedding mornings. The morning of a wedding is such an exciting time of the day, your wedding day is finally here and everyone is so excited and happy that they get to watch you walk down the aisle!

In my 10 years of photographing weddings every morning of a wedding is different. There is so much going on depending on how many people are getting ready with you, and the more people the more you need to be organised. In my experience I have always noticed the same things that could have run a little bit smoother if some of these tips were put in place, regardless of how many people are with you in the morning.

The morning of the wedding is when your bridesmaids should be working the hardest. They are there to help you, keep you calm, make you laugh and help with any last minute jobs that need to be sorted. They are they to make sure your dress is hung properly so there is no creases, getting your details together and making sure you eat and drink something. So girls (or male bridesmen) here are some tips to make sure your best friend is having the wedding morning she deserves.

MAKE SURE THE ROOM IS TIDY

There is nothing worse than having distractions in the background when there is a beautiful opportunity for a getting ready shot of the bride or putting her wedding dress on. Please remove baggage, plastic bags and maybe furniture out the way which taking up too much space. Keep all your belongings at one side or corner of the room.

bride putting on her shoes at Findon Place

THINK ABOUT YOUR MORNING VENUE

If you are looking for a stunning venue to get ready in then think about the amount of light that will be in that room at the time of day you are getting ready at. To get those beautiful light and dreamy photos, light is so important. The last thing you want is a dark and dingy room with horrible colours which can reflect on your skin. Make up artists will work at the window light, so consider if the room is going to be light enough and if the light is going to reflect around the room ok. White and pastel colour walls will work the best, especially for fine art wedding photographs. If you are wanting to get ready at the venue, please consider the room where you will be getting ready with everyone, this is the time when things can get busy so lots of photo opportunities will be happening.

Bridesmaids sitting on bed at Goodnestone Park

PUTTING ALL YOUR DETAILS IN ONE PLACE SO GORGEOUS FLAT-LAYS CAN BE PHOTOGRAPHED

So what exactly is a flat-lay? Flat-lays are what you may have seen on wedding blogs or Pinterest, which capture all your details in one beautiful display photo. This can include, shoes, veil, engagement ring, chosen perfume, other sentimental objects, your something borrowed, something blue and something new. I have a styling kit that I bring with me in the morning at every wedding, to add some finishing touches. So the night before, collect all your pretty items and put them in one place, so when I arrive in the morning I can get everything together quickly before getting your make-up and hair photos started. I especially love creating flat-lays as I think it is important to remember what perfume you wore on your wedding day, what jewellery you wore and what sentimental objects you had with you to remind you of the people who you love, who may not be there on your wedding day. Also, don’t forget to keep one invitation suite so I can photograph this with all your lovely details.

Fine art wedding photography groom flatlay

Fine art wedding photography bride flatlay

CHAMPAGNE, MACAROONS AND OTHER DELICIOUSNESS

Remember to think about what you are going to eat and drink in the morning of your wedding! Opening bottles of champagne (come on, your not just going to have one bottle are you?) or having your favourite cocktails is a good way to celebrate in style and also makes great, fun photos of your bridal party! How often is it that you are getting married? Make the most of it with a special drink and some delicious eats. Also, make sure you eat breakfast, it will be a long time until you sit down for your wedding breakfast and no one wants a bride to pass out on her wedding day!

THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN HANG YOUR DRESS FOR STUNNING PHOTOS

This might sound like a small detail, but really think about where you can hang your wedding dress so you can get some beautiful photos of THE dress! You have spent hours looking for the perfect wedding dress and it would be such a shame not to get some detail and full length shot of your dress. You want to see it in it’s full glory. One of my pet hates is hangers on wedding dresses, please think about getting a pretty hanger for your stunning dress, there is nothing worse than a cheap, plastic hanger on a stunning thousand plus pound dress. There are some stunning ornate hangers available like stunning vintage inspired hangers, to create a timeless look.

wedding dress hanging up at Goodnestone House

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Timing really is everything in the morning of the wedding. I cannot stress enough that you need to give yourself plenty of time to get in your wedding dress before leaving for the ceremony. Also, makeup and hair artists need time to do your wedding hair and makeup as well as the bridesmaids and other bridal party members. Even if you feel like you are going to be early, make sure you put on your stunning dress at least an hour before leaving for the ceremony. This may sound a bit dramatic, but sometimes it may take longer to dress you, or someone may forget something, and also, I really want to spend some time with you to get some gorgeous bridal portraits as well as some family and bridesmaid photos. This is just when you have had your hair and make up done and you will look at your very best.

When you are getting in your wedding dress, make sure you have lots of space around you, so that you have room for both you and whoever is helping you get in to your dress. Also, you don’t want to be rushing this moment and you do not want to be hot and flustered. Try and get little jobs done the night before, so you are not spending your morning doing everything, you have been planning and organising everything for months, this is the time for you to enjoy every aspect of your day. Bridesmaids, make sure all your bags are packed and clutch bags organised before putting your dress on and also if you are helping the bride in to her dress make sure you are all ready before her. Also, make sure all your tags have been removed from your shoes, bags and clothes and remember to bring some scissors with you in the morning, trust me, there is always a tag that has been forgotten!

Close up of bride looking down at her wedding dress

If you are getting ready at your own home and you are a bit of a “hostess with the mostess”please reframe from doing housework on the morning of your wedding, designate someone to help with some jobs if you are worried about the house being messy or you are a bit of a clean freak.

If you get ready in lots of time, we can get some wonderful photos of you and your bridal party. These are more relaxed photos as its just you and your best friends and the people who mean the world to you (besides your partner). These can be some fun photos in your gorgeous robes, have some fun with confetti or just laughing about the events of your hen do. Pretty robes are great for a consistent look for all of you in the morning photos and make great bridesmaid presents.

BRIDAL PORTRAITS

Once you are already and have about 30 minutes before leaving for the ceremony I will pull you aside for some portraits. This is the time for some classic shots of just you in your stunning wedding dress to remember for a life time. I always make my brides at ease for this and will show the images I take on the back of the camera (if shooting digital) to see how gorgeous you look. This is always a confidence booster for brides who are little less confident in front of the camera. If you have an outdoor area which no one can see you, I might take you outside, or alternatively I will find an area near some beautiful window light.

If you have an outdoor area which no one can see you, I might take you outside, or alternatively I will find an area near some beautiful window light.

HAVE A WONDERFUL MORNING

The most important thing is to have a fun, relaxed morning, with no rushing around getting flustered. Enjoy being pampered, be with your favourite people, soak up every moment because the wedding day is going to fly by! Reminisce about your hen do, the times you have shared together, talk about your wedding, how you will always be the best of friends and how important today is going to be that you are all sharing it together.

I can’t wait to meet your bridal party, to hear about your stories and memories that you have shared. I will shoot the moments that unravel and I may step in to move something out the way or direct you so you get the most elegant, timeless photos. So, when you are all old friends you can look back and laugh and cry about the wonderful day you shared together.