Orange County Wedding Photographer | Wedding Tips & Tricks

5 TIPS FOR GETTING READY PHOTOS

1.) It's all in the details! Gather all the details you want photographed the night before and place them in a box to give to the photographer. Include your wedding rings (hers & his), invitation set, jewelry, shoes, veil, dress, and any other items that you want captured. It's a great idea to also have the bouquet's delivered to the suite your getting ready in so we can include them in these detail photos. Make sure to tell your Maid of honor where this box will be, so I can easily find it and jump right into photographing them as soon as I arrive. This is usually happening while your getting hair and makeup done.  *Schedule to have your Mother and Bridesmaids hair and makeup to be done before yours. 

2.) Don't forget... your pretty hangers to photograph your dresses on. A steamer for your veil. Wipes or tide stick for any smudges. Needle and thread for any popped buttons or clasps. Your something old, something new, borrowed, and blue. Written vows, bridesmaids gifts, garter, and any gifts you want to send over to your groom.  

3.) Cluttered backgrounds. To get those beautiful getting ready photos, you'll want to have a separate clean room, free of clutter. It helps if your bridesmaids get ready in an adjoining room, there they can unload their bags, store their dresses, munch on snacks, etc. Once your hair and makeup ready is completed, when we can move to the clean room to take some photos of the finishing touches -applying lip gloss or final mist of setting spray. This is also where we'll take the cute matching robe/jammies shots with your bridesmaids, photos of your mom tying up your dress, and the first look with your father. Make sure the your mother and bridesmaids are all dressed for the big dress reveal.  *To get the best window lighting, ask for the North facing hotel room. 

4.) Groom Details. Your groom can get dressed beforehand, just leave off his jacket, tie, shoes, watch and cuff links -so we can photograph those. Have your groomsmen arrive already dressed and ready to go. It helps if you have their boutonnieres at this location, ready to be pinned on them. We capture fun candids of the groomsmen hanging out and helping your groom with his finishing touches.

5.) Add in extra time to each event of the day so you can relax and soak in each moment. Wedding days fly by and there's nothing worse than feeling rushed! Work with your wedding planner and photographer beforehand to create a timeline that will fit in everything you want and make sure there's a little extra cushion of time, so you don't have to worry if schedules happen to run a bit late. 

The last thing you want to do is worry on your wedding day! Not only will it put a damper on the mood of the day but it will show in every single one of your images. I want you to feel completely present and enjoying every moment of the day! If you prepare as much as you can in advance, hire a team that you trust, and are ready for anything -you'll be able to sit back and feel like a pampered guest at your own wedding!