Excited wedding preparations!

Such a wonderful part of the day

I love being at the wedding preps, whether it’s the girls or the boys. It’s only recently when working with other photographers that I have experienced being with the boys when they get ready; I’d always thought it would be a bit dull compared to the girls. Surely all they’re doing is putting on a suit. I was wrong – there’s just as much drama and emotion going on with them as there is with the girls, and they also need just as much organising to make sure everything happens on time!

These wedding prep photos were taken at The Queens Hotel in Bournemouth before the ceremony and reception at Parley Manor Weddings.

Tips to for your wedding preps!

So in no particular order…

Number One

This one starts the day before… get a good nights sleep! You’ll be excited, and full of anticipation and of course nerves too, but the day before your wedding is a vital part of making sure you have a great wedding day. Eat well, and get an early night. Drink plenty of water, spiced up with lemon, to make sure you are well hydrated – apart from just helping to make you feel great, it’ll help your skin look fabulous too.

Number Two

Hang your wedding dress somewhere safe, and if you can, somewhere pretty too. Your photographer will love you! And ideally your bridesmaids outfits too. Make sure all the labels are removed, don’t forget the soles of your shoes too.

Number Three

Timeline! An important part of your wedding preps is time. Have a timeline, and Blutack it to the wall where you and everyone can see it. Make sure you’ve spoken to your hair and make-up artists and your photographer about how much time they will need, and factor that in. Great suppliers will work with you on this, and stick to it, but not all do, so ask your most responsible bridesmaid to keep an eye on times for you as well.

Number Four

Looking great. Treat yourself and your bridesmaids to some pretty bridal PJs or robes. Not only will you feel comfortable and look awesome, but you’ll get some great pictures too. This little touch makes for more relaxed wedding preps when you aren’t worried about the world seeing you in your old PJs or your tired but loved robe.

Number Five

Eat. Remember to eat, something wonderful, something light. And water, don’t forget plenty of water too. Later on your will be given so many drinks, you’ll really appreciate good hydration.

Number Six

Relax. Don’t fluster about things that don’t matter. It’s your day, so enjoy it and don’t let yourself get distracted by things that don’t matter. And to help you relax during the day, or at anytime, work on your breathing… not deep breaths that just fill you of oxygen, but just nice normal breaths, in through your nose, and out through your nose, and here’s the bit that works – make your out breath long, maybe half as long again as your in breath. Try it – it works! Something I learned through my yoga practice, and it’s something I use everywhere all the time – in the dentist chair, stuck in traffic, anywhere I start feeling uncomfortable or stressed.

Number Seven

Time. Again! It’s great for the photographs if your bridesmaids are all ready before you start to put your dress on. And make sure you allow plenty of time to get into your dress, especially if it needs lacing up – even if whoever is going to do has had a practice in the store, it’ll take longer when it’s being done for real! And pay attention to your photographer when he or she says it’s time to start getting the dresses on. You’re relaxed, and chatting, and laughing, and enjoying your Buck’s Fizz or prosecco, and thinking you have so much time… Your photographer knows just how quickly that time can vanish.

Number Eight

People. Only have the right people with you at your wedding preps, your bridesmaids, flower girls of course, and your parents. I love getting a photo of dad when he sees you in wedding dress for the very first time, it never fails to move me. Too many people can just cause stress and tension and worry, so keep it minimal. Everyone will understand. And linked with that… space. If you are getting ready at home, in the days before try to look beyond the everyday clutter of living and have a really good tidy up. Not only will it make you feel more relaxed, it’ll make the photographs better too.

Number Nine

Enjoy yourself. Love the attention, enjoy the tears; just enjoy yourself. One of the biggest days of your life, and things will go awry, not everything wil happen on time or as expected, but let them go and concentrate on the love between you, and your celebration of that with your family and friends.

What’s your favourite tip?

Have I missed anything out? What helped your morning go well? Tell us and share the benefit of your wisdom.

And if you want to find out more about my photography, check out creative wedding photography page and if you want to see my prices, then you can find them on the wedding investment page. The wedding preps are included in all of my standard packages. So call me now on 01425 672706 or use the
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