Key Takeaways

Arrival and Initial Setup

Arrival Timing

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your contracted start time. This gives you time to:

• Scout the space for best lighting
• Identify where you'll stage detail shots
• Set up any equipment needed
• Meet the hair/makeup artists and bridesmaids
• Assess the current state of preparation

First Impressions Matter

When you walk in, you're establishing trust. Be warm, professional, and calm. Introduce yourself to everyone in the room. Ask the bride how she's feeling. Compliment something genuine. Your energy sets the tone for your working relationship that day.

Quick Light Assessment

Immediately identify the best light in the space. Find the largest windows. Note which direction they face. Determine where you'll position the bride for hair and makeup shots, and where you'll create your detail staging area.

Detail Photography

Details tell the story of the day—the invitation suite, the rings, the dress, the shoes. These shots require intention and artistry.

Essential Details

• The dress: Hanging, laid out, or being held
• Shoes: Bride's and sometimes groom's
• Rings: Both wedding bands and engagement ring
• Invitation suite: Invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes
• Jewelry: Earrings, necklace, bracelet
• Perfume/cologne: Meaningful brands or gifts
• Heirlooms: Grandmother's handkerchief, father's watch
• Personal items: Vow books, gifts, meaningful objects
• Florals: Bouquet, boutonniere

Staging Details

Don't just photograph details where you find them. Create compositions:

1. Find great light: Window light on a flat surface is ideal
2. Choose a clean background: Solid fabric, invitation paper, natural surfaces
3. Create flat lays: Arrange items intentionally with space between them
4. Vary angles: Overhead, 45 degrees, low angle for different feels
5. Include context: Some details work best in their environment (dress in the room)

Ring Photography Tips

• Use macro lens or extension tubes for close focus
• Shoot at f/4-f/5.6 for sharpness across the ring
• Watch for reflections—you'll appear in shiny surfaces
• Try propping rings in bouquets, invitation creases, or boxes
• Natural light or off-camera flash—avoid on-camera flash reflection

Capturing Prep Moments

Hair and Makeup

Hair and makeup sessions offer documentary moments and portraits:

• Wide context: Show the environment, the team, the activity
• Medium beauty shots: Bride in the mirror, artist at work
• Close details: Makeup brush on cheek, curls being formed
• Candids: Laughter, conversations, nervous excitement

Position for window light: Ask if the bride can be positioned facing a window. Most makeup artists understand the request. Good light during prep means better photos without flash disruption.

The Dress Going On

One of the most photographed getting-ready moments. Plan for it:

1. Clear the area of clutter before she steps in
2. Position near the best light
3. Have someone (mom, bridesmaid) ready to assist with buttons/zippers
4. Capture wide shots showing the helpers, tight shots of hands working
5. Get her reaction when fully dressed—the mirror moment

Emotional Moments

Getting ready often produces the first tears of the day:

• Mom seeing the bride in her dress
• Dad's first look at his daughter
• Bridesmaids' reactions
• Reading letters or opening gifts

Anticipate these moments. Ask: "Are you planning to do a first look with your parents?" or "Do you have letters you'll be reading?" Then be ready when they happen.

Groom's Getting Ready

Groom's prep is often shorter and simpler, but still important.

What to Capture

• Putting on the suit jacket
• Tying the tie (or having it tied)
• Cufflinks and watch
• Boutonniere being pinned
• Candid moments with groomsmen
• Gift opening or letter reading
• The final mirror check

Timing Considerations

Groom prep often takes less time than bride prep. Options:

• Second shooter: Cover both simultaneously
• Stagger timing: Groom prep earlier, photographer moves to bride
• Solo coverage: Quick groom coverage, then extended bride coverage

Communicate with the couple before the wedding about coverage priorities if you're working solo.

Managing Challenging Spaces

Small Hotel Rooms

Many brides get ready in cramped hotel rooms packed with people and stuff.

• Wide lenses: 24mm or 35mm creates space in tight quarters
• Bounce flash: When window light isn't sufficient
• Clear clutter: Politely move bags and items out of frame
• Use the bathroom: Often has the best mirror and can isolate subjects
• Doorways and hallways: Step back into adjacent spaces for wider shots

Poor Lighting

Not every room has great windows. Solutions:

• Turn off overhead lights (mixed color temperature)
• Move subjects closer to windows
• Use bounce flash to supplement
• Embrace high ISO for natural light shots
• Create your own light with off-camera flash and softbox

Too Many People

Sometimes the room is full of family members watching every move.

• Politely ask for space when needed: "Could everyone step back for just a moment?"
• Use the crowd—their reactions become photos
• Ask to use a separate room for detail shots
• Accept that some shots will include more people—that's the story

Building Rapport

Getting ready is your chance to establish trust before the ceremony pressure hits.

Be Conversational, Not Intrusive

Talk with the bride and bridesmaids while you work. Ask about the engagement, the planning process, what they're most excited about. Show genuine interest. This makes them comfortable being photographed and reveals their personalities.

Give Genuine Compliments

When the bride puts on her dress, tell her she looks beautiful—if you mean it. Comment on details that clearly matter to her. Authentic compliments build connection; forced ones feel hollow.

Project Calm Confidence

Even if the timeline is slipping or the light is terrible, don't show stress. Your calm reassures the bride that everything is fine. If asked about timing, be honest but optimistic: "We're doing great. Let's get this shot and then head over."

Timing and Workflow

Typical Getting-Ready Timeline

Time	Activity
0:00-0:15	Scout space, set up detail area, capture details
0:15-0:45	Hair and makeup completion shots
0:45-1:00	Dress going on, finishing touches
1:00-1:15	Mom/Dad first look, gift/letter moments
1:15-1:30	Bridal portrait, head to next location

Keeping Things Moving

Getting ready often runs late. Your job isn't to stress, but you can help:

• Communicate gently with the planner about time
• Have detail shots done before the bride needs them
• Be ready when the dress moment happens—don't cause delays
• Know what's essential vs. nice-to-have if time runs short

Hawaii Getting-Ready Considerations

Resort Rooms

Many Hawaii weddings use resort hotel rooms. These often have:

• Large windows with ocean or garden views (use them as backdrops)
• Lanais (balconies) for outdoor detail shots
• Modern, clean aesthetics that photograph well
• Air conditioning that creates condensation on gear brought from outside

Rental Homes/Villas

Private home rentals offer more space but variable quality:

• Scout ahead if possible—light quality varies dramatically
• More room for staging and movement
• Often outdoor options for detail shots with natural elements

Humidity Considerations

Hawaii's humidity affects hair and makeup (and your gear). Allow extra time in timelines for touch-ups, and keep silica packs with your equipment.

Getting Ready Shot Checklist

Use this as a mental checklist, not a rigid requirement:

Details

• Dress (hanging, laid out)
• Shoes
• Rings (engagement + bands)
• Invitation suite flat lay
• Jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelet)
• Perfume
• Bouquet
• Personal/heirloom items
• Vow books
• Gifts exchanged

Bride Prep

• Hair being finished
• Makeup application
• Stepping into dress
• Dress being buttoned/zipped
• Mirror reflection
• Putting on jewelry
• Mom/Dad first look reactions
• Letter/gift reading
• Bridal portrait

Groom Prep

• Putting on jacket
• Tie being tied
• Cufflinks/watch
• Boutonniere pinning
• Candids with groomsmen
• Mirror/final check

Summary

Getting ready sets the foundation for the entire wedding day. Key principles:

• Arrive early: Scout light, set up, and meet everyone before shooting begins
• Stage details intentionally: Don't just document—create compelling detail images
• Anticipate emotional moments: Position yourself before the tears come
• Build rapport: Your relationship with the bride affects how natural she looks in photos
• Manage the space: Adapt to challenging rooms with the right lens and lighting choices
• Stay calm: Your energy affects everyone—be the calm presence that reassures

Getting ready isn't just about pretty detail shots—it's about documenting the anticipation, the nerves, the love between family members, and the transformation from person to bride. Capture all of it, and you've started the wedding story right.