Wedding photography part 04: Wedding preparations

Introduction:

The previous parts were about getting started and preparing for your wedding photography. Now it's finally time to get started! We'll be following the preparations for a wedding day. For me personally, there is hardly anything better than accompanying a wedding with my camera. Because there is so much excitement in the air. The moments you get to share with the bride and groom during the preparations are so special, so precious and sometimes, of course, intimate.

For some time now, my partner has been accompanying me when wedding videos are requested. He has made me realize a lot of things, because I am once again aware of things that I have already taken for granted. I really enjoy sharing my work and my experiences with him.

As a woman, I have always been in the middle of the preparations, which are usually not only attended by the bride and groom, but often also by their parents, the best man and perhaps even their closest friends. I immediately got caught up in this emotional life and experienced the nervousness and excitement. Perhaps a man is a little more unemotional, may approach his work more objectively, I don't know.

In any case, it is a great advantage for my work that I approach many things emotionally; I can empathize with the bride's desire to make the most important day of her life perfect. For me, it was a matter of course from the very beginning, as I also offer erotic shoots in my photo studio, that lightly clothed or even naked ladies bustle around me when they dress the bride and themselves.

For my partner, whom I hadn't prepared for this, it was very disconcerting to stumble into a room with scantily clad ladies for the first time, especially as they didn't feel at all disturbed by the presence of a man.

In retrospect, I found it very funny, but it wouldn't have been wrong to warn him in advance. That's why I don't want to forget this point and am moving it directly to the introduction.

The couples who ask you to attend their wedding and possibly also the preparations will of course take this into account. It is important that you are also prepared for this. After all, it's often not just the bride's make-up that is part of the preparations, but also putting on her underwear, jewelry and dress.

Regardless of whether you are a male or female photographer, if it may be strange for you at first, don't let it show, just concentrate on your job. After all, professionalism is what should make you stand out, even if you're a friend of the couple and just performing a favor.

That's a little warning beforehand. Now I'd like to give you a few impressions of our preparation shoots. Unfortunately, these are rarely booked in addition to our reportages and are usually reserved for full-day reportages.

For me, these are some of the most important hours of a big day, as I can't say often enough. Perhaps you would also recommend your bridal couples to accompany these hours. It's always nicer than accompanying the evening proceedings, where many things will only ever be repeated.

The tutorial is divided into the following subsections:

- Make-up and hairstyling

- Dressing the bride

- Dressing the groom

- Miscellaneous

1. make-up and hairstyling

Sometimes make-up and hairstyling take place at the bride's home, sometimes at another location, e.g. at a hairdresser. If you've done everything right, you'll have your list completely filled out for the big day and all the addresses already to hand. When planning, always bear in mind that the times may differ from those originally discussed with the bride and groom. If your plan looks like my last wedding, for example, then there may be a delay in the tight planning and you are bound to be stressed.

Over time, you will develop a routine, so don't panic if something doesn't go as planned. It just can't be your fault and you decide - even at very short notice if necessary - what you need to save now and what is a priority. Here is our example:

- 9:00 a.m. Bride's hairdresser

- 10:30 Preparations for the groom

- 11:15 Preparations for the bride

- 12:00 hrs Departure to the church

- 13:00 Church service

Although I know that things can go wrong and the first three locations were very close together, there were also time bottlenecks here. Especially as there were two of us on tour with a photo and video assignment. We even drove through all the locations the evening before to get an overview of the time frame. But all the planning didn't help; almost every item on the list took longer than originally planned.

So the bride didn't finish her make-up and hairstyling until 10:30 a.m. and we were late getting to the groom. The men took it easy, and by the time we were through there, it was 11:30. Everything was still very hectic at the bride's house and we had to get dressed earlier so that we could get there on time. As the church was about 20 minutes away, we didn't get there until 12:40. This is stress that can always arise, despite all the advance planning, when there are many location changes planned and it is not possible to predict exactly how long these photo shoots will take.

At this wedding, the bride, maid of honor and four bridesmaids were styled. This can take a lot of time.





As the bride and groom usually prepare at the same time, it's best to draw up a plan in advance for how you want to handle it best. This also helps the bride and groom. I usually advise - if the groom is to be accompanied - to place this part between the make-up and dressing of the bride. This is for the following reasons:

- The make-up / hairstyling doesn't have to be photographed the whole time. It is enough if you can capture a few pictures of the make-up and a few nice impressions "around it".

- The make-up / hairstyling usually also involves a maid of honor or relatives of the bride, i.e. you have time to visit the groom.

- The bride will get dressed very late, unlike the groom, who will be at the church before her.





That's why I usually plan a good half hour for each of these points plus the travel time. Sometimes you have more time. If the time slots are too tight, you can also improvise, i.e. the groom could, for example, "jump" into the suit before you drive to the bride and you have already photographed his dressing and don't need to change locations later. Even if I personally disagree with staging something for the camera, sometimes it can save a lot of stress.

Unlike getting dressed, the make-up / hairstyling and all the initial preparations are done without my involvement. As soon as I arrive, I tell everyone to behave as if I wasn't there. I want to capture everything that is happening and act as an invisible observer with my camera.

If the make-up artist is doing her make-up in the living room, she will usually have chosen an area close to the window with plenty of natural light. This is the perfect place to take photos over her shoulder. If the light isn't right, you can also take photos with the flash.

Even if you are supposed to be invisible, please do not hesitate to intervene if this is necessary for your good work. For example, if there is an unsightly plastic bag hanging in the background or if you would rather move the bride and her chair a meter to the side because the light or distance is better there ... That's part of it! Of course you should do this at any time. At every wedding, you will encounter different events during the preparations.

A quick message to your loved one!

Quickly read the wedding vows again! We've been waiting for something like this.

I like to choose a longer focal length for this so that I can photograph more outside the action. Of course, it's nice if a hotel room or a special wedding location is booked for the preparations. The backdrop is often nicer than a living room, where all sorts of wedding paraphernalia is naturally scattered around. There is also often a colorful ironing board in the living room, piles of laundry from all the ladies scattered around, etc. All of this will restrict your work a little more than a tidy hotel room. But if you know what's important, this won't be a problem and the photos will turn out great!

If the preparations take place at the later location, you can also take a few pictures of it now.

From time to time I also steal away from the scenery and look for wedding accessories that I can "drape" nicely in the scene. You can also use a macro lens for this! The bridal shoes, the bridal bouquet still resting in the vase. The nourishment, the champagne breakfast. Maybe you'll also find the garter or - after consulting with the bride - grab the dress and look for a nice place to photograph it.

This is where you as the photographer can really let your hair down. Detailed photos are always popular and will add a nice touch to your reportage.

A pair of ...

... shoes, ...

... many possibilities.

If I want to capture the whole backdrop, I choose a wide-angle lens, which is also always a nice thing, or - if you want to be particularly creative, why not use a fisheye, if it's in your camera bag.





Everything is allowed during the preparations. The photos are intended for your bridal couple, so it's fine if the bride is wearing curlers or nervously biting on a piece of toast. That's what makes the relaxed atmosphere so special. You are welcome to get creative, photograph the bride through the mirror or let her appear out of focus in the background if you are photographing the wedding decorations.

If you have a little more time now than when you get dressed later, then use the gap! You've saved time getting dressed and can concentrate on that alone. As the make-up and hairstyling can take a good 1-2 hours, you should allow a good hour here if possible. The time usually flies by. So you're on the safe side.

First of all, the beautiful updo:

Then the hair accessories and veil.

Last but not least: the perfect make-up.

2. dressing the groom

You will quickly realize that a groom is much quicker to photograph during his preparations than the bride. He is also very uninteresting for you in his underwear! This means that the best time to start photographing him is when he is buttoning his shirt, tying his tie in the mirror and struggling with his cufflinks. He also likes to be photographed tying his shoelaces. These pictures are always a must. You can use the rest of the time for other things. Look around to see what else is interesting. Sometimes the nervous parents are nearby and you can include them with their preparations.

Also a nice snapshot in the hotel room. The shirt is quickly ironed again.

The groom gets dressed.





Now you can get a little more active. Look around the room or the house - where is the best place for your photos? You should pay attention to the available light and the backgrounds. It doesn't matter where the groom gets dressed, the only important thing is that the pictures are perfect later on. So you can decide where this should take place. I usually make sure that I have a large window at the back so that I can work with natural light. Sometimes I also use the clip-on flash as a light brightener and flash the wall or ceiling accordingly. If you're lucky, the room will be bright enough.

Choose a lens that allows you a little distance from the subject, but with which you are also able to capture details. In other words, a telephoto lens is not a bad idea. You are also flexible here. You can stop the scene and change the lens. As a general rule, it's better to act than not to dare. Otherwise you'll be annoyed later. Even if you think that a photographer should always be able to work well, even when things are spontaneous - you can also intervene in some things and change the situation for yourself. That also speaks for professionalism and a good photographer.

That's what groomsmen are for!

Fun is a must!

In general, you can estimate the time window at 20-30 minutes. This should be enough time to accompany the groom during his preparations.

3. dressing the bride

Now it gets exciting. While the groom may have already left for the church, we are in the final stages of preparation. The perfectly styled bride is probably getting ready now. Accompanied by nervous ladies who are eager to help her. I'm a little more actively involved in this part. Because now I choose the best place for the bride to get dressed again, looking for the right backdrop and the place with the best light beforehand. And I like to have the window behind me again. There's nothing better than daylight! So make the most of it.

If the underwear and garter are to be put on, ask in advance whether this should also be photographed. If so, capture the details here too. Make the perspective interesting; for example, you can photograph the bride over her shoulder as she puts on her stockings. If the bride wants, you can of course also take a few nice pictures of her in just her underwear, sitting on the bed, standing by the window. You can be creative here. The groom will certainly be particularly pleased with these photos.

Which garter should it be?

Putting on jewelry is also a very nice motif. Earrings, necklace, bracelet. You can also find a few suggestions in the series of pictures in this tutorial, which may give you an idea or two for your pictures.

Time was short at this wedding. Dressing and putting on jewelry happened at the same time!

Before the lady slips into her wedding dress, you should give her some instructions in advance so that you don't have to intervene too much later on. For example, I always say where I'm going to take the photos from so that nobody stands in my way. A clear view of the bride is important. The bride should be facing you at the beginning, with a smile on her face!

If the dress is tied up, then it's also nice if she turns her back to you, perhaps looking over her shoulder at you.

In general, I think it's nicer if she never looks at the camera, then the situation looks a bit more lively and not so posed. The great thing about the preparations is that everyone is very nervous and hectic. A photographer can really be forgotten. In any case, you are rather secondary! Still ...





All of this takes quite a lot of time, so I would allow about 30-45 minutes (at least)! But make sure you leave in time to make it to the ceremony. More on this in the next point.

One note that I can't resist making: Remember to bring the bridal bouquet; you wouldn't believe how often it gets forgotten!

4. miscellaneous

In addition to the points listed above, other things can of course be part of the preparations and should always be captured in the photo. For example, the decorating of the bridal car, perhaps the arrival of the carriage to pick up the bride and - whatever the means of transportation - the bride's "departure" to the wedding location.

While the bride is being styled, dad lends a hand ... The bridal carriage is being decorated!





However, the following point must be taken into account: If you are not driving to the church or registry office with the bride, remember that you should arrive there before the bride. I therefore usually leave early from the preparations to arrive at the location at least 20-30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. You should clarify exactly what the bride and groom want in the preliminary talk and point this out if necessary.

Otherwise you will put yourself under unnecessary stress and the bride and groom will certainly not think about it. You have to take into account in your time planning that you still have to look for a parking space (hopefully not the location itself!!!) and possibly have a preliminary talk with the priest. You should also have time for a camera/equipment check and check the lighting conditions in the church.

You'll also want to take a few photos of the registry office or the church as well as a few impressions of the guests arriving, and of course we don't want to forget the nervous groom. I would like to refer you to the next tutorial, which will start with the preparations for the wedding ceremony, but I wanted to mention it here already.

Our bride is ready!

Apart from that, there are of course other preparations that can be photographed well. I haven't mentioned the save-the-date shoot here, as it doesn't relate to the actual wedding preparations and will get its own tutorial. However, there are now lots of great ideas on how to make the preparations even more special.

For example, I like the now very modern "writing a love note" - some couples have already included it in their planning anyway, others might be happy about this tip. I admit that the women are usually more enthusiastic about this idea than the men. However, so far everyone has gone along with it and has been happy with the outcome. The idea is that the bride and groom write a little love letter to each other a few days before the wedding and on the day of the wedding, preferably during the preparations, they are given this ...

... and - perfect for our pictorial documentation - read it.

This can be a very beautiful and emotional moment that can be captured fabulously on film and in photos. If you don't believe me, just try it out with a nice bridal couple. I also think it's a great idea for a normal couple shoot ... I'm sure you'll agree with me.

So, that's it for now with the preparations for the wedding, now I'm looking forward to the next part, in which we finally get to say "I do". The wedding ceremony! Nothing can go wrong now. We will go through the process of a civil and a church wedding in detail and I will tell you about my experiences at the weddings I have attended. I will also go into more detail about the camera settings, which I have left out here.

At this point, I would like to thank you once again for your approval, your positive and also negative criticism of this tutorial series and hope that this part has helped you with your entry into wedding photography.

Nicole Schick