As soon as I entered Hayley’s Ritz Carlton hotel room, I was greeted with the sweetest smiles of 6 wonderful women. Hayley and her friends and family couldn’t have been more welcoming and fun on the morning of her wedding day. We had a blast together for the few hours I shot Hayley’s bridal prep as a second shooter for Scott Fracasso Photography, singing along to love songs, jumping on beds, and strutting in cute robes in a fancy schmancy mall. The great thing was – these were all of their ideas! I was just there to capture how fun these girls are! Here are 6 tips for brides to enjoy the morning of your wedding day to max like Hayley and her girls did!
1. Prepare all your bridal details – shoes, jewelry, hair piece/veil, bouquet, your dress, and any other details you want photographed and set them aside all together in one spot of the bridal room. This will allow your photographer to photograph these items easily and you’ll be able to find everything you need when it comes time to put them on. If your bridesmaids are getting ready with you, have them do the same so everyone’s pieces are all in one area.
2. Consider giving your bridesmaids matching monogramed gorgeous silk or jersey robes as their thank you gift! They’ll be able to use it the morning of the wedding while they’re getting ready as well as continue to use it for many years after! And it looks fabulous in your prep photos!
3. Enjoy the moment! Take this time to just hang out with your friends and laugh. Jump on the bed like you used to when you were a little kid! Make silly faces or show off a pose with your girls from a favorite photo from the past! Just have fun with those who love you!
4. Relax! Try not to stress out and have faith that everything will work out as perfect as possible on your day! Trust your bridesmaids and any other family, friends, and vendors who are helping you the morning of. They got you and are happy to assist in any way. Allow people to dote on you – this is your very special day that you have planned and paid a lot of your or your parents hard earned money for. You deserve it! Hayley was so relaxed (at least I couldn’t tell if she was stressed) and just allowed the day to happen, hiccups and all. You would never know there was a slight hiccup that morning with the bouquets (as there might be on any wedding day) – you know why? Because Hayley kept calm and didn’t allow it to bother her too much. By the end of the morning, the bouquets arrived and everything was well again! When you are or look relaxed you will give out a certain energy and your photos will too!
5. Consider having your parents/siblings/your most important people in the room when you are ready to reveal yourself in your beautiful gown. It is such a special moment when parents see their little girl for the first time in her wedding dress on her wedding day. Take this time before you walk down the aisle to just be with your parents and family. Sometimes words aren’t even needed – everything can be said in just the eyes in adoration and love and the photos will show the emotion.
6. Take time to pray by yourself or with your bridal crew or family. It sets the day off on the right foot and allows positive vibes to flow through one of the most important days of your life.
I’d love to hear your own bridal prep tips, feel free to leave them in the comment section below! Congratulations again Hayley, and best wishes for an awesome and beautiful marriage! Thank you again to Scott Fracasso Photography for having me second shoot this fabulous morning! Leave some love for Hayley and her bridal party by liking, sharing, and leaving sweet comments on this post!