1) Timeline

Why Time Your Dressing?

So you know your ceremony starts at 2pm and your reception starts at 5pm, but what time are you supposed to put on your dress? What time should your hair be finished? This segment of the day, can almost set the mood and timing for the rest of your big day. If things fall behind in the segment, you may find yourself rushing through other parts of the day, or missing lighting. Of course this post is from the perspective of a photographer, but I have seen it so many times over the years, everything else is planned to a T and then the dressing, throws off the plan. So lets plan for the prep. As a photographer I divide this segment into three parts: THE DETAILS, THE PREP and THE PORTRAITS

THE DETAILS

Here we capture your ring, dress, shoes and other details, Ceremony & Reception Venue if at same location:

Ideal Time Allotment – 30-45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

CEREMONY DECOR

BRIDE DETAILS

GROOM DETAILS

THE DRESS

TIPS & SUGGESTIONS: DETAILS

Tips for Detail Prep

- Set aside items for detail shots dress, rings, shoes, bouquets, invites, letters, perfume, and the other details of the day.

- Keep room where bride is dressing tidy, store bags and suitcases in cupboards, keep make-up station tidy

- Have the smallest crowd as possible

- Wear a nice robe or matching robes with your bridal party

- A nice sturdy hanger for the dress, or even something custom if you wish

Shot List of The Details

Bridal Details:
-Wedding dress (hanging, draped)
-Something old/new/borrowed/blue
-Bridal shoes, jewelry, veil displayed
-The Veil
-Bride with bouquet
-Bride and Groom Rings

-Groom Details
-Grooms Tie, Shoes, boutonniere
-Grooms Perfume, Watch and other accessories
-Venue Details
-Wide Shot of Venue
-Wide Shot of Room with Items

-Bridesmaids Details
-Bridesmaids Box
-Bridesmaids Robes
-Bridesmaids Bouquets
-Bridesmaids Dresses

THE PREP

Here we capture Bridal Party and Family Moments, Brides Make Up, Candid Moments and the finishing touches

Ideal Time Allotment – 60 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite

BRIDAL PARTY MOMENTS

BRIDAL PARTY OR FAMILY FUN

CANDID MOMENTS

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

TIPS & SUGGESTIONS: THE PREP

Tips for THE PREP

- Keep room where bride is dressing tidy, store bags and suitcases in cupboards, keep make-up station tidy
- A clean mirror in the dressing room is a huge plus
- Have bed made-up before photographer arrives
- Create some moments, pillow fights, champagne, jump on the bed etc

Shot Lists of THE PREP

-Bride hairstyling
-Bride makeup application
-Bride Watching Dress
-Zip or buttoning of bridal gown
-Bride putting on veil
-Bride looking in mirror
-Candid photos of bride leaving for ceremony

Groom Prep
-Groom hairstyling
-Groom makeup application
-Groom & Suit
-Zip or buttoning of suit
Putting on crossage
-Groom looking in mirror
-Candid photos of groom leaving for ceremony

Family Prep
-General Shots of family members present to capture portraits

Bridesmaids Prep
-Bridesmaids getting hair done
-Bridemaids in Robes
-Bridesmaids on Bed
-Bridesmaids in robes with bouquet
-Bridesmaids make up

THE PORTRAITS

This segment is important because it's the freshest look, both the bride and groom will have for the day. This also helps to cut down on time in the photo shoot segement of the wedding.

Ideal Time Allotment – 30-45 minutes
Ideal Time of the Day – Morning or Early Afternoon
Ideal Location – Bridal Suite or Hotel Suite, Lobby Areas and Environs

BRIDAL PORTRAITS

FAMILY/BRIDAL PARTY PORTRAITS

GROOM PORTRAITS

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS, GROOM & HIS MEN

TIPS & SUGGESTIONS: THE PREP

Tips for THE PORTRAITS

- Get ready 1hr advance of your ceremony time, this leaves ample time do a 30min shoot and refresh yourself

- Include the bridal party and parents in the last 10mins to help cut down on photo shoot time

- These can be done indoors to avoid sweating

- Hey if you are up to it, even do a first-look and shoot with your groom

Shot List of THE PORTRAITS

Bride
-Full Length Shot of Bride (Front)
-Full Length Shot of Bride (Back)
-Brides hands with bouquet
-Bride with shoes on
-Close up face shot on bride
-Close up hair shot of bride
-Close up eyes shot of bride
-Torso shot of bride
-Bride sitting

Groom
-Full Length Shot of Groom (Front)
-Full Length Shot of Groom (Back)
-Boutinniere on Jacket
-Groom with shoes on
-Close up face shot of groom
-Close up tie shot of groom
-Close up eyes shot of groom
-Torso shot of groom
-Groom sitting

2) Location

HYATT Hotel

LA SOLEDAD ESTATE

CARA SUITES HOTEL, LOBBY

Why Dress At A Hotel?

When you dress at these amazing spaces, you get to have shoots around the lovely premises that may be very costly otherwise. Of course if you are getting ready at an all in one location, this won't apply to you. Also, I never see the sense of getting dressed at a Hotel, if you are going to have the room untidy and cluttered. If you don't maintain a clean space, clear lines and a small crowd, you defeat the purpose of paying for a luxe space to dress. Hotel or Home, that rule applies. If you want to capture images of your dressing process. Keep the space clear, have another room for storage etc.