Picture your wedding day morning- wake up slip on your cute matching PJ’s, relax with a drink and get your hair done by a stylist you emailed a handful of times and your hair is just not turning out as you planned. You try to shift your focus back to your special moment and relax as you look out the window to a beautiful view of…. the hotel bathroom? Depending on your wedding party size, getting ready can take hours. Ensure you consider these tips to have a stress-free day and a wonderful environment to get ready for the most memorable moment of your life.
DO THIS – SCOPE OUT ON-SITE GETTING READY SUITES
It’s super important not only for your own wedding day mindset, but for photos to choose the right space that will fit your wedding party, important family members, and your getting ready team, and still be aesthetically pleasing so photos flow throughout your gallery. Venues kindly offer on-site getting ready suites, but many spaces can only accommodate so many bodies, and overnight bags!
If your venue offers a getting-ready suite- check for window light, bulb colors, wall colors, and furniture. Does it match your wedding day aesthetic? Are the walls clean and similar to your ceremony or reception space? Is the lighting super orange and you’re getting married outside in natural light? If your venue’s getting ready space is farmhouse-y and your style is more elegant, those details can stick out in your gallery. Although the space is included in your package, you may want to consider renting an airbnb with beautiful light and views.
Consider storing all overnight bags in a separate room so they aren’t cluttered in photos. Getting ready suites tend to be one room with mirrors and chairs for your wedding party to share. Bags can be thrown anywhere. I do my best to reorganize so your getting ready images don’t look chaotic, but asking your wedding party to minimize their luggage and store it in a separate room will keep your mind free to focus on other important memories happening during these hours leading up to your ceremony.
NOT THAT – GETTING READY IN A BATHROOM
Do not get ready in a bathroom. I would love to sugar-coat this tip, but no one wants to see a bathroom vanity with toothbrushes or a toilet seat up in the background of you applying lashes. Bathrooms rarely have natural light and are filled with warm or cool hues, depending on the bulbs used.
Choose a room with bright window light and plenty of space for your hair, makeup, photo and video team to work. Sitting in a cramped bathroom that barely supports your hair and makeup artists won’t give your photo and video team any room to shoot these special moments. A master bedroom with plenty of floor space, with all lights off, and window shades open creates a clean canvas for us to create our art.
NOT THAT – NO HAIR OR MAKEUP TRIAL
If your hair won’t hold a curl for any event, wedding day isn’t the day to try it. Make sure you schedule a hair and makeup trial to ensure the style you envision will work for your day. When your hair falls out two hours after your stylist leaves, that can be super frustrating. You trust your vendors to enhance your beauty and bring your vision to life. So trust them when they recommend certain styles for your face shape, time of year of your wedding, or elements you may experience on wedding day.
DO THIS – PAY HAIR AND MAKEUP TEAM PRIOR TO WEDDING DAY
Pay your hair and makeup team prior to wedding day. Some professionals offer same-day payment. It takes up valuable time where you can be savoring the moment instead of coordinating who will pay the invoice.
NOT THAT – SELF-TAN FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY
Do not self-tan for your wedding. No matter how confident in your abilities, this day is not the day for you to use your fave foam all over your body- leaving your hands and knees stained.
If you plan to spray tan using a professional service, exfoliate 24 hours prior to application. I love dry brushing the week before application! Creates a super smooth surface and, along with moisturizing, will ensure a natural tan for your wedding day.
DO THIS – PREP GETTING READY ITEMS FOR PHOTOS
Prepare all details for photo and video flatlays. Photographing details can take 30-minutes to an hour. If your photographer is efficient and you have gathered your items for them before they arrive, wedding day morning will be organized and your photo team can get back to photographing little laughs and toasts during getting ready.
I’ve made it super easy to organize your getting ready details. CLICK HERE for a FREE getting ready checklist.
