geting ready
Nothing is quite as exciting as your wedding day preparation and getting ready in the morning! The jitters, the feelings, the giggles with your friends! When you envision getting ready on your wedding day with your bridesmaids you're probably all getting your hair and makeup done,
breezily sipping mimosas as I am snapping away while your favorite songs play on a specially curated playlist. All of this can happen with proper planning to make sure nothing goes awry.
Have a Wedding Timeline
Having a set wedding day timeline is absolutely crucial to how the day will go, and it starts with getting ready. If you're having an evening wedding you may have a little leeway with getting up later, but for afternoon and early evening weddings, you'll probably be looking to set your alarm for 8 a.m. or close to it. Make a timeline with your planner, or with your photographer, since we’ll need to know when to get there to take pictures of everyone getting ready. Begin with the time that your wedding starts or that you need to arrive at the ceremony venue, and work backward. What do you need to do before then? Are you doing a first look and taking photos with your entire bridal party? These are all important questions to ask to figure out what time to wake up. Also, keep in mind that bridal hair and makeup can take 60 to 90 minutes and 30 to 45 minutes each for every bridesmaid and the mother of the bride.
Hang Up Your Pretty Dress and Veil
The first thing you should do when you wake up and before your wedding day preparation is to take your wedding dress and veil out of the garment bag and hang it up where it can breathe a bit (preferably where nobody will disturb it). The dress shouldn't stay in the bag all morning. It's kind of like a bottle of wine in that it needs time to breathe — especially if there's a train on it — to allow for the fabric to settle and any small wrinkles to work themselves out. Hang it as high as you can, unbustled, so you can see which areas need steaming the most. Tuck the comb of the veil inside the back of the dress, and let it hang down. Hang your dress in a pretty spot (away from the mimosas and makeup) and prepare all your shoes (don't forget those pesky stickers on the base!) and accessories, lingerie and garter laid out, with the labels cut off. You can do this for all the bridesmaids' dresses and accessories too before the wedding day preparation. As a wedding photographer in Greece, I always love when the bride has taken into consideration that that’s the time to shoot the details and wedding accessories. Of course, I will be there to ask all your questions about the wedding details, where we could arrange them to be photographed perfectly and how we can make the most out of your wedding day preparation.
Pack Some Pretty Prep Attire
Slip into pretty bridal PJs and a silk or cotton robe for your wedding day preparation - not only will you feel fabulous; you won't be worried about having your picture taken in your usual scruffy pajamas! Really, making sure you and your bridesmaids wear something minimal and pretty – it will result in the lovely Pinterest-worthy images you’re browsing! It’s all in the preparation, make sure everything is color-coordinated for timelessness and beautiful style! If you need help or have questions I would be glad to help you!
Write a Love Letter to Your Fiancé
I have said plenty of times how really romantic is for a couple to take the time and write something to each other during their wedding day preparation. Write a candid, in-the-moment note about marrying him/her on this day. It will be fun to sit down on future anniversaries and feel those giddy emotions all over again and the excitement to meet him/her at the altar!
Pop in a Playlist
Prepare a playlist of your favorite songs to listen to - or use our ready-to-go wedding morning playlist- maybe sweet love songs that have meaning to your relationship? Don't forget to pack a set of portable speakers in your overnight bag if not getting ready at home. If you have a bridesmaid who always makes the best playlists, task her with creating an awesome morning-of one. Fun getting ready tunes will put everyone in a good mood and ease any nerves during your wedding day preparation.
Don't Forget Your Emergency Makeup Bag
Things happen—nails chip, mimosas stain, and hair droops. That's why it's important to have a day-of emergency kit for any mini-emergencies, including stain remover, breath mints, tweezers, tissues, hair spray, fashion tape, and more. Don’t forget to pack your lipstick, blotting paper, and blush!
Find a Place with Plenty of Natural Light
When you're choosing your getting-ready venue, make sure there's plenty of natural light and space, if you're having a large bridal party and multiple hairstylists and makeup artists. Make sure you have the perfect well lit room that is organized, dusted, and ready to go for the morning of your wedding. You want your wedding day preparation photos to be beautiful, and the key to that is plenty of good, natural lighting and space—so the more room you can get, the better.
Treat Yourself
Make room in your schedule for some pamper time! Have a warm bath with oils and even flower petals if you wish. Light some candles, play some chilled music and take this moment to yourself to really allow your mind to get ready for the day. Enjoy the here and now, rather than your mind racing about all the details of the day to come. Take time to apply an all-over body moisturizer and allow it to dry in. Have your favorite scent as a room diffuser, natural oil, or candle ready to go, and as you’re getting ready, a lovely aroma will fill the space. After the big day, that scent will always take you back to that morning - an added bonus! Finally, pop some bubbly and have a toast with your bridal party! But remember, avoid having too much, you have a long day ahead and you don't want all that excitement going to your head!
Leave Extra Time
Make sure you allow for plenty of contingency time in your wedding day timeline. Things can happen and you don't want to feel rushed out the door if timings run over! I recommend that you aim to be ready an hour before your ceremony begins. This means you can be relaxed and ready to go while allowing you time to enjoy being with your bridal party rather than rushing at the last moment.
Schedule in extra time during your wedding day preparation if doing a first look with your Mum, Dad, or handing out bridal party gifts, or simply having a glass of bubbly before you go! If you're traveling to your ceremony or doing a first look, make sure to leave in good time to allow for any traffic or issues along the way.
