Wedding Morning Prep: From Beautiful Chaos to Complete Calm (And How Your Photographer Makes It Work)
So, how does wedding morning photography actually work?
Let’s start with the practical stuff, because as much as I'd love to be able to teleport between locations, I haven't quite unlocked that skill yet.
The way we plan your morning depends on a few things:
Where you're both getting ready
Where you're both located
How much time we have before the ceremony
and, most importantly
What is your priority to be captured
If you're getting ready in rooms next door to each other, it's easy for me to move between you and capture those moments as they happen. Where as, if you're getting ready at opposite ends of town, we'll need to factor in travel time.
While I will always try my hardest to make it work, we don't want me to waste half your morning in the car when I could be capturing all the lovely stuff happening around you! But we chat all about it beforehand. We'll work out what's realistic, what matters most to you and how we can make the most of the time available.
What if you both want your morning captured?
First of all… hell yes!
Getting to see both sides of the morning is such a lovely way to tell the full story of your wedding day. The nervous excitement, the final outfit adjustments, the questionable breakfast choices and the moments you might not even realise are happening on the other side of the door. But if you're getting ready separately and want both mornings documented at the same time, there are a few options. I can jump between the two of you and capture both parties in all their glory. Or, We can discuss a second shooter.
A second shooter is just another photographer working alongside me, allowing us to be in two places at once. Whilst I'm with one of you, they can be with the other, capturing your other half’s preperation moments. This can be especially helpful if you're getting ready at different locations, have a tight timeline or simply want more of the morning documented.
It's not something every couple needs, though. A lot of the time splitting the morning between you works perfectly. Sometimes one of you wants more coverage than the other, and sometimes a second photographer is exactly what will help us capture everything that's important to you.
We'll talk through your plans together and figure out which option makes the most sense for your day.
Does everything have to be equal?
Short answer? Absolutely Not.
Your wedding day doesn't have to follow a traditional formula, and that includes how I photograph your morning. Maybe one of you wants every little detail documented, whilst the other is happy with a few photographs before getting dressed and heading off to the ceremony. One of you might love being photographed, whilst the other would rather enjoy a quieter start without a camera present. Or you both want equal coverage, but you want completely different things from it.
All of those options are absolutely fine. We can discuss all of the details in the run up to your day to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Equal coverage doesn't have to mean identical coverage. It's about understanding what matters to each of you and building a plan around that, rather than following anything simply because that's how it's always been done. Tell me your wants and desires, what you'd rather avoid and what your priorities are.
Your wish is my command.
We will create the perfect plan to ensure we get exactly what it is you are after.
How much time should you allow for morning prep?
This is where a little planning goes a long way.
You don't need to schedule every single minute of your morning, but having a rough idea of timings helps us avoid unnecessary rushing.
Things worth considering include:
Getting ready: When will hair and make-up be finished, and when do you plan to get dressed?
The final touches: Are there special accessories, meaningful details or people you'd love photographs with?
Travel: Are we moving between locations, and how long will that take? (consider the day of the week and traffic)
The ceremony: How far in advance do you need to arrive?
Breathing room: This is always worth holding space for because something will inevitably take longer than expected. Someone will need a last minute excitement wee, lace-up dress backs need more time than you think, having some time to relax before leaving makes your morning feel less rushed… and there’s always an awkward button or necklace that just wont do as it’s told.
We don't need to turn your wedding morning into a military operation. The idea is to give you enough time to enjoy it without feeling like you're constantly chasing the clock. And please, don't worry if your morning doesn't go exactly to plan. We can adapt where possible. Some of the best moments happen when things don't go perfectly to schedule.
What if you're camera shy?
You don't suddenly have to become a different person because it's your wedding day.
If you want to spend the morning chatting with your favourite people, drinking tea, playing music or having a little moment to yourself, that's absolutely fine. I'm not there to turn your morning into a full-blown photoshoot. I'll capture what's happening, help when you need me and give you space when you don't.
You don't need matching PJs, perfectly styled champagne glasses or a room that looks like it belongs in a bridal magazine. You just need to be yourselves. Whether that's full-on chaos, peaceful tranquility or somewhere in between, I'll work with you to capture the moments that feel like you.
Your morning, your way
Ultimately, your wedding morning is the beginning of your wedding story. It deserves to be documented in a way that feels right for you, not dictated by tradition or somebody else's expectations. We'll chat about your plans, work through the logistics and figure out whether I can capture what it is you are after or if a second shooter would suit your day best. And then? You can get on with enjoying it.
Lose a shoe, have a cry, drink your coffee whilst it's still hot. Laugh until your make-up needs fixing, or enjoy a beautifully quiet morning with your favourite human, doing things your way.
I'll bring the camera, a little bit of my own chaos and you… well, you just bring yourselves.
We'll figure out the rest together.
