One of our most exciting elements to shoot in any Indian wedding is the bride getting ready photos . There is something transformation, almost magical in watching a lovely girl become a radiant beautiful woman. The finer nuances of her final look in contrast to her growing nervousness is always a complex landscape to work with.
The importance of this process remains overshadowed by the other events and rituals of an Indian wedding. We insist that you invest time in understanding how to best get your photographer to capture this beautiful journey for you.
Here are our top picks for essential photographs you must aim to have captured during your bride getting ready process.
Before you start getting ready:
Wedding Dress Photos
We know how painstakingly you found that perfect dress that defines everything you dreamed of for this special day. How can it not deserve its own spotlight then? The wedding dress – whether its a spectacular lehenga, a dazzling sari or a pristine gown – has to be left to the photographer’s care for a while.
The wedding dress can be shot creatively – utilizing the given space and location. For the bride getting ready at home, the dress can be photographed in your room, a special part of the house that means something to you, or even in an interesting corner.
To capture the bride getting ready at a hotel, then your private room, hallways, hotel lawns or even an interesting wall can be used as creative backdrops. Some brides also love to pose along with their dress to amp up that excitement.
Pro Tip: Ensure your bridal dress comes along with a hanger that is sturdy enough to take its weight when the shoot happens – enabling your photographer to hang it in creative ways.
Photos of Jewels and Accessories
The bridal jewellery is an indispensable part of the grandeur that the Indian bride wears with pride. These heritage pieces become a part of the legacy for generations. Hence, special care should be given to capture their beauty during the bride getting ready process.
Depending on the type of jewels and the predominant color, they can be shot creatively. Be careful with lending your jewels, asking your photographer to handle them with care. We recommend that they set things up completely before borrowing the jewels, and return them within a short period of time to ensure their safekeeping.
Depending on the type of jewels and the predominant color, they can be shot creatively. Be careful with lending your jewels, asking your photographer to handle them with care. We recommend that they set things up completely before borrowing the jewels, and return them within a short period of time to ensure their safekeeping.
Pro Tip: Share pictures of your jewels and accessories with the photographers beforehand so they can plan ahead for how to best shoot them.
The Bride-to-be Casual Portraits
Let’s not forget the show-stealer. The bride to be herself! Some casual portraits before the bride getting ready process begins brings the fun in. Whether you want to keep it casual cool in a pair of jeans or wear a custom-embroidered robe – let your photographer click a few memorable snaps of the you that really defines you.
Pro Tip: Have basic makeup handy for your pre-makeup portraits so you can prepare yourself the photos before the bride getting ready process begins.
During the bride getting ready:
Makeup for the bride getting ready photos
As the liner draws on the lids, as the color starts to come to red lips and as the cheeks glow with happiness and blush – the art of makeup is truly a joy to watch unfold. Ensure the photographer has access to your makeup room all through the transformation so they can capture the little details that go into making the final look.
We also recommend you speak to your make-up artist beforehand to ensure there is no hindrance for the photographer to be able to click the bride getting ready photos.
Pro Tip: If bridal makeup photos are important to you, pick a bridal makeup artist who allows photographers to shoot right from the start of her makeup process.
Photos of Hairstyling
As beautiful tresses combine in exotic ways to make the bride truly stand out, the details look stunning in photographs. The playful parody of pins and hairsprays can make for some dramatic shots. You’d always look back at these getting ready photos with a sense of awe at the intricate craft of hairstyling.
Completing the look with jewels
As the jewellery finds its way around her delicate features, she finally starts to look like a bride. Before the rest of the outfit is donned, we recommend a few shots of the completed look with makeup and jewels. Since you’re still not in your formal attire, the face tends to really pop against the simple ensemble. This makes for some beautiful storytelling images.
Pro Tip: Have your friends or family close to help you with wearing your jewels. The photos are more meaningful with them being a part of it.
The delicate details as you get ready
Whether its wearing your bangles, or adjusting your lehenga – we believe these small gestures are the true embellishments of the bride getting ready photos. Details of painting nails, wearing sandals, adjusting your dress, fixing escaping strands of hair, spraying perfume – all of these shot in an interesting way can be wonderful memories to hold dear.
Pro tip: Have everything that you will be using laid out before you so the photographers know what to anticipate and can be prepared to click those moments.
Photos of the Dupatta being placed
There is an inherit romance in the careful placement and setting of the dupatta on a bride’s head. The ensemble is finally complete and the sheer fabric just flirts with the light beautifully in getting ready photos. The bride’s face relaxes and she allows herself to be excited for the ceremony – finally happy with how everything turned out exactly to her liking!
It makes it even more special when a family member or a close friend places it on you. So before you get the dupatta fixed, you should aim to get a few photographs with your loved one gently settling it over your head. Once those memories are captured, you can request the professionals to take over.
Once you’re done getting ready
Mirrors and reflections
Now is the time for the beautiful bride to see her completed look in the mirror. The reflections can be used creatively to inspire a mood of jubilation and hesitation. Depending on the kind of mirror that’s available in your room, the photos can be full-length shots or more mysterious focused close-ups. It also makes for beautiful candid shots as you fix the little things to your liking, or just that brilliant look of amazement in your eyes as you see yourself as a stunning bride!
First Look of Friends and Family
Candid shots as friends and family finally get to enter the room to discover the bride are always heartwarming. We love how the mother is almost always with wet eyes as she looks at her beautiful daughter looking every bit the princess she is. The mood in the room changes to being playful and fun as streams of friends come in and tease each other. These moments translate beautifully onto the camera and must not be missed.
Pro Tip: While your dearest should be there with you in the dressing room, we recommend holding everyone else off until your look is complete. It is so much more fun when your final look reveals as a surprise!
Photos of the Bridal Party
This time is also a great opportunity for the closest people to get quick pictures along the bride before she steps out for the wedding ceremonies. In the private, cozy space – everyone feels at ease and it’s a great idea to have some fun pictures while you still can. Make these fun and silly to infuse that cuteness into these candid portraits.
Pro Tip: Encourage everyone to pose with you for the photographer over clicking on their phones. In the limited time, you want to make the best out of the professional you’ve hired.
Bride’s Portraits
The celebrity of the day, the bride’s portraits are done to bring out her charm and grace while making her comfortable being in the spotlight. At day weddings, natural light can be used to advantage to bring out the warm tones of traditional dresses.
For evening weddings, creative use of flashes can result in some very artful photographs. Bridal portraits can be clicked in the private area, or against a beautiful backdrop. Ensure your photographer has at least 30 minutes at hand to be able to click some good portraits for you to treasure.
Pro Tip: Leave dedicated time aside for your bridal portraits and request everyone else to vacate the room. Plan ahead for this time, so you can get your dream bridal portraits.
We hope this guide helps you get more from your getting wedding photos and helps you in communicating with your wedding photographer. Remember, the bride getting ready photos are not only symbolic in you stepping into a new life but also beautiful portraits you will forever cherish!
Want to know more about the process and recommended photo opportunities of your wedding day? Head over to our signature style to learn more. And feel free to browse through our portfolio to see some more inspiring wedding photography!
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