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Original poster

Wedding photography- bridal prep?

23 replies

Chickenandegg8 · 05/08/2021 07:56

We’re trying to work out what we’d like to include for our wedding photography….we’re only having a small family wedding so no party in the evening. Just a ceremony and meal, then back to ours for cake and bubbles 😊
Many photographers offer bridal prep in their packages. Is it worth it? The photos always look lovely online, but I’m not sure if its something I’d look back on afterwards….
Thanks!

OP posts:
DufferMum · 05/08/2021 07:59

Give your Mum a camera or your phone. Much cheaper.

RainyDay2020 · 05/08/2021 08:07

I didn’t want the photographer fussing around when I was trying to get ready and in my dressing gown etc. My sister had a photographer and it added an unwanted stress to the morning along with the wedding planner flitting about.
My step mother took some non intrusive photos on her phone which were lovely and just as good as those I’d seen on the photographers portfolio.

onelittlefrog · 05/08/2021 08:21

I don't like all the fuss and would much rather save it for later in the day. Like you I don't think I would be looking back teary-eyed about the "getting ready" process, it's just not as sentimental to me. I want to get ready with as few people in the room as possible

MoreAloneTime · 05/08/2021 08:23

If I had a do over of my day this would have been one of the things I'd have skipped. It was a stressful morning that didn't need to be photographed.

2andahalfpints · 05/08/2021 08:24

We had a very small wedding too - my brother in law took pictures at the ceremony and I asked all of the guests to take plenty on their phones too. My mum and friend took a couple of getting ready pictures, I wouldn't have missed them though.
Massive group WhatsApp to share all the pics after - had them printed in a photo book, I think it was £20 and we bought dbl a gift to say thank you.
We have lovely pictures from the day and it was much cheaper!

CornishGem1975 · 05/08/2021 08:33

Not a necessity. I'm having it as it's an all-in price and my photographer is actually a really funny easy-going guy so I'm actually looking forward to having him around. At my first wedding, my photographer was so dry and straight-laced it made the whole thing quite stressful and I didn't enjoy any part of the photos all day long!

traintraveller · 05/08/2021 10:24

I've negotiated a 1/2 day package that doesn't include the prep. I can't image anything worse than trying to get ready with a photographer hanging about.

Original poster
Chickenandegg8 · 05/08/2021 13:56

Thanks for all your opinions guys!
I think I may give it a miss I can imagine getting stressed and definitely don’t want that photographed 😂

OP posts:
ImInStealthMode · 05/08/2021 18:49

Different opinion here, some of the pictures I looked back on most fondly from my first wedding were the prep pictures when it was just me, my Mum & bridesmaids. Those moments of anticipation and excitement with the people I most loved (except for my husband obviously. At the time anyway Hmm). I honestly don't really remember even registering that the photographer was there at least until I was ready to go and he took a couple of posed ones.

I'm getting married again next summer and will have prep photos again.

One thing though, both last time and next the prep has taken place in a big hotel suite, so not cramped and the background of everything is 'nice' rather than random home clutter. Probably makes a difference.

whatthehelldowecare · 05/08/2021 21:28

I got married on Friday and just got our preview shots through today - I love the getting ready ones!

I wasn't stressed at all in the morning though, and didn't mind having the photographer there - in fact he was great at running errands and doing other bits and bobs for us too!

Sleepyhungryfattyanddoc · 08/08/2021 13:16

My photographer has said it’s best if he just arrives 15 mins before I plan to be ‘finished’
He said there’s always a few touch ups on makeup and he can get his photos from that, and then get any first looks etc too then that we’d be doing anyway (the usual showing your dad your dress or whatever photo). Saves him being there the whole time and in the way, and also saves me paying him for hours of me getting ready!

Slothkin · 08/08/2021 13:50

My husband and I both have a couple of getting ready photos and I love them! He also did up my dress for me when I was starting to hyperventilate about running late, poor sweet man 😂

Nogardenersworld · 08/08/2021 13:58

I think a good photographer is worth their weight in gold
You have to remember they’ve been to hundreds of weddings. Every problem you’re having that morning, every thing that may go wrong, every stress you have they’ve seen before. They can be an extra pair of hands to help and troubleshoot and keep everyone calm - view them as your ally on the day, rather than a hindrance to have around and in your way!

BunnyRuddington · 08/08/2021 14:01

Think it totally depends on your Photographer. If they're good and nice and relaxed you'll hardly know they are there. Plus, you should get some lovely shots of things like your dress.

If you're not having a big do afterwards I think some prep photos would be lovely.

ItsSunnyOutside · 08/08/2021 14:04

I told our photographer that I didn't want the bridal prep included in the package, she was great and reduced the price abit - I would of found it too awkward and I wanted to feel relaxed , not have someone snapping away whilst I was getting ready. My sister took some lovely shots anyway.

Evenstar · 08/08/2021 14:04

Mine were lovely, my make up artist actually paid the photographer to use some on her website. I am glad to have them as my mum passed away in 2018 and it is nice to have them to look back on as part of such a special day.

Hipt · 08/08/2021 14:06

It can help to get certain photos out the way.

It can mean that the photos of you alone, with bridesmaids and you with parents etc can be mostly done before the wedding.

I was all for anything that cut down on the amount of photos that others had to stand around waiting for us to do

jackstini · 08/08/2021 14:10

There are maybe some moments you will miss otherwise - my cousin's favourite ever photo's of her and her Dad are the ones taken when he walked into the room and saw her in her dress

Also the ones of dresses hanging up, shoes etc.

Definitely doesn't need to be the whole prep or morning though - 15 mins before is fine

FinallyHere · 08/08/2021 14:59

Finding the right photographer who understands your style and works with what you want is so important.

I hated the whole idea of having a photographer for our wedding, expecting they would be jumping around and making us do things over again for the camera.

In the end, a professional photographer was the only thing STBDH insisted on, so I went along with it. We found a 'reportage' style photographer who was not in evidence at all all day, except for very short walk before the ceremony. He had spotted an area which was natural and the perfect backdrop shapes and colours.

Those are my favourite photos.

He also took pictures of the different couples / groups arriving (while everyone looked pristine ) and of lots of other things which I might not have noticed. Herded us together for just one group photo which made excellent use of the rather lovely old building.

The things I remember about the day (which went past in a flash) are now all focused on the pictures he found. They are mostly quite arty views of things I would otherwise have missed.

Hope you find what suits you.

Original poster
Chickenandegg8 · 08/08/2021 17:33

Argh I’m totally torn now!
I guess my only concern is I will be getting ready at home, along with piles of children’s toys, and will it look a bit messy on the photos.
Whilst it will be tidy there’s still loads of ‘house’ stuff everywhere and when I see photos of bridal preps they’re always in a nice hotel room etc….

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 08/08/2021 17:59

Argh I’m totally torn now! I guess my only concern is I will be getting ready at home, along with piles of children’s toys, and will it look a bit messy on the photos.

Whilst it will be tidy there’s still loads of ‘house’ stuff everywhere and when I see photos of bridal preps they’re always in a nice hotel room

Have a look at your Photographer website to see what their usual bridal prep photos are like or ask fir some examples.

You might be surprised how little of the background will feature in good photos.

Pedalpushers · 11/08/2021 14:42

I didn't want prep photos. I don't see the point of a picture of my dress or shoes, and even less so the point of spending all that money on hair, makeup and clothes to take pictures of myself in curlers and a dressing gown. I asked them to come at the end to take photos of me and the bridesmaids ready to go, so we could save time later not having to do those during cocktail hour.

FinallyHere · 11/08/2021 18:16

Photographers can work magic.

If it really is only the potential for message backgrounds to the photos, so long as they are warned in advance, I'm sure the photographers will have a solution.

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