Wedding Photography Blog Series - Part 4: The Big Day (Bridal Preparations)

Get Ready....

The morning of the big day will most likely be a buzz of activity. It's a huge part of the wedding day story and a part that you'll want to remember.

More and more brides are choosing to have this time documented by their wedding photographer as part of the wedding photography package, and you may want to consider whether this is something you would like to include in your wedding storybook or album.

Some brides like to have the whole preparations photographed, from rollers-and-dressing-gowns through the hair and make up artist's visit to the final transformation in gown and veil.

Other brides prefer a general "before the wedding" feel, with shots of the dress waiting to be put on, details of shoes and flowers, perfume and champagne, which all add a lovely feel and a burst of colour to the eventual album design.


It's also a great time to get a perfect "bridal portrait", most often using natural or window light, of the immaculate bride before she makes her way to the ceremony.

This elegant image was taken as the bride left the hotel lift on her way out to the lobby:

Sally Marie offers bridal preparations as part of the wedding photography service. With a female photographer who specialises in making women look their best on film, it's a relaxed, friendly approach and the images taken at this part of the day are natural, fun and flattering.

Our philosophy is to be part of your day, not just to take pictures but to help make things go smoothly. (In fact Sally's camera bag even contains a small sewing kit, as altering bridesmaids' dress straps and sewing shirt buttons back on in emergencies is not unheard of!)

A second photographer is also available to document the groom and groomsmen and the arrival of your guests before the ceremony.

Let's hear all about your plans for the big day - call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or e-mail weddings@sallymarie.co.uk

COMING UP NEXT: Wedding Photography Blog Series - Part 5: The Big Day (The Ceremony)

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Wedding Photography Blog Series - Part 2: Pre-Wedding Services

Many photographers offer a pre-wedding shoot to engaged couples, and I'll go into more detail about why this is an excellent opportunity for couples in the next blog, but what else can your photographer do for you?

Chatting with a bride this week at the studio, I asked her how her wedding plans were coming along. "Well, I'm not sure really," she replied. "I don't know how much I'm supposed to have done by this point so I don't know if I'm way behind or well in front!"

She went on to tell me that because she had only ever been to one wedding, some fourteen years ago, she didn't really have a clear picture of how a wedding should look, or how the day is meant to proceed.

This made me realise that for most people, even attending a wedding as a guest is a rare or infrequent occasion. So how can brides be expected to know what sort of chair covers are the most appropriate, how much wine should be on each table, or who is supposed to sit where during the ceremony?

So who better to help with these details than someone who lives weddings every day, and sees all sorts of different types of celebration, different types of ceremony, different types of couple!

As a wedding photographer, for me, it doesn't just begin and end with still images. I have experienced so many other elements of the wedding day it is a pleasure to be able to offer an insight in all things wedding if needed! Brides who have been to the studio for their first meeting will have seen the piles of wedding magazines and stacks of supplier contacts, from wedding stationers to horse and carriages!

Those comfy chairs, fresh coffee and jugs of juice are there for you at any stage of your wedding planning process, not just for looking through albums at that first meeting but for inspiration and help any time, or simply just to relax in a calm setting if the groom-to-be is fed up with "wedding talk!"

If you would like to come in for a chat about your wedding plans, please call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or drop us a line: weddings@sallymarie.co.uk

Remember, it's all about YOU...

COMING UP NEXT: Wedding Photography Blog Series - Part 3: Pre-Wedding PhotoShoots

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.