Before the vows, before the champagne toasts, there’s an entire narrative unfolding behind closed doors. A quiet buzz of anticipation as the bride and groom prepare for the big day, fastening their cuff links and lacing up their corset. The getting ready process offers rare, intimate glimpses into a couple’s wedding day experience, and the right photographer will know how to capture them without interrupting the moment. We've rounded up the most essential moments to add to your shot wishlist for a meaningful pre-ceremony memory.
Before It All Begins
Long before the dress is zipped or the jacket buttoned, there’s a quiet moment of solitude. Maybe it's sipping coffee by the window or cozying up in your bridal robe or pajamas. This is the calm before the energy shifts, when the day is still entirely yours. To capture these tender moments, be sure to ask your photographer to start early enough to capture it.
Ashley Jade, Micha Freutel, Pia Mance,
Dolorès Cafier, Bianca Virtue Weddings, Nous Nous
A Moment for the Glam
(Groom Included)
Hair and makeup may be a logistical necessity, but the documentation of it doesn’t need to feel staged. Aim for candid captures with your lashes mid-curl, lipstick being blotted, or hair pinned into curls. And don't forget the groom—though his preparation may not be as tedious, a clean shave or hair being tousled just so will do.
Nous Nous, Samantha Rivieccio, Mallory Carlson
The Lacing of the Corset
The moment has finally come to step into that once-in-a-lifetime dress. There’s something ceremonial in the small acts of lacing a corset, slipping into your shoes, or zipping up the back. These are the last steps before becoming a bride, and they deserve just as much attention as the first kiss. The tension, focus, and emotion on your face in these frames often say more than words can.
Ksenia Antonova, Sarbo Studio, Grace Lane London,
Karen Khuc, Bianca Virtue Weddings, Annie Wilcox
The Groom's POV
In a different room, you'll find the groom getting ready. There's a certain rhythm to the precise buttoning of a crisp shirt, the loop-and-pull of a tie, and the final tug of a jacket into place. These intimate moments are grounding and cinematic in their own way, showing the transformation from everyday to ceremonial, captured in his universe.
The Kitcheners, Emotions + Math, Kyla Jeanette
The Hands that Help You Dress
Whether it’s a mother adjusting a veil or the Maid of Honor zipping up your gown, these hands often belong to the people who helped you get here. The interactions between your bridal and groom parties are personal, unposed, and deeply telling. A well-framed shot of your inner circle fussing over the finishing touches becomes a lifelong keepsake.
Maja Tsolo, Redden, Cedar & Pines,
Daniele & Marilia, Prisma Blanco, Weiss Photo & Film
The Final Touchups
This is the shot that shows one last final glance in the mirror before you embark down the aisle. Whether it’s for a final check, lipstick touchup, or a grounding breath, it’s a moment of self-recognition. You see yourself all dressed up, perfecting the final details before walking out the door.
Benjamin Wheeler, Fox and Film, Dos Mas En La Mesa
An Ode to the Details
Your statement red heels, his watch, heirloom jewelry, or handwritten letters—these elements hold their own kind of weight. But don’t just line them up on a tray, ask your photographer to tell a story with the dress draped across a chair, or the suit jacket hanging up, catching the morning light. And once you're all dressed, take a moment to capture those outfit details—they might get lost in the chaos of the day.
Efege Photo, Grace Lane London, Lauren Andijanto,
Janne Aunan, Parker's Pictures, Nicole Plett
The Quiet Anticipation
You're all glammed and ready to go, and the feeling hits you that this is the moment. There’s always a beat of stillness and anticipation waiting for guests to arrive and take their seats before anyone walks out. That final pause is often the most emotional moment of the morning. Whether you're alone or surrounded by your people, let your photographer be ready for that breath before the next chapter.
Pytlik & Bąk, Grace Lane London, Parker's Pictures
The Formal Portrait
The formal portrait is more than just a photo, it's a visual anchor in the narrative of your wedding day. A composed, intentional moment, often framed with soft light and a subtle elegance that distills the gravity and grace of the day ahead. Capturing the quiet poise before the next chapter unfolds—the transformation from individual to partner, from anticipation to becoming.
Misha Moon, Pytlik & Bąk, Kristen Marie Parker,
Richard Biedul, Charlotte Macke, Benjamin Wheeler
