Learn everything about the bridal photo session
What is a bridal photo session (or bridal portrait session)? It is an opportunity to capture stunning photos of the bride during this special time, celebrating her journey to the altar.
Booking a photographer for your wedding is a crucial step in the planning process. After all, you’ll want to cherish those memories for years to come. But did you know there are photography options available well before your big day? Beyond the popular engagement photos, there’s another opportunity for the bride to shine on her own.
While not as common as engagement sessions, a bridal shoot is a wonderful way to document the bridal experience and get comfortable in front of the camera.
Why Have a Bridal Photo Session?
Bridal sessions capture your engagement moment before transitioning from single to being married. As years pass, you’ll appreciate these memories of your engagement period.
Additionally, I believe that a bridal session is a great way to help you get use to the camera before your big day—especially if you’re shy or feeling a bit nervous. It’s the perfect opportunity to trial different hair and makeup looks too.
How Much Does a Bridal Photo Session Cost?
When planning a bridal photo session, it’s essential to factor this into your overall wedding budget. Costs can include professional hair and makeup, additional outfits, and photographer fees. In the UK, depending on the photographer’s experience, you might expect to spend from £500 to £1000 for a bridal shoot.
What to Wear to a Bridal Photo Session?
Deciding what to wear for your bridal session can be somewhat tricky as you’ve already gone through the process of choosing a wedding dress.
I think you should stay true to yourself by selecting a gown you love, though it could be the dress you’ve already chosen for your wedding if it’s ready in time. If you would like something new, John Lewis and Next has a range of designers, that specialise in wedding gowns, that you could choose from. Some modern brides are choosing silver dresses as it’s trendy, so if you are into trends, hop on to that one.
Don’t overlook accessories like shoes, earrings, and hair clips that complete your look. If budget permits, hiring a bridal stylist to help curate your outfits for the photo shoot can ensure you feel confident and look your best.
If you’re eager to see more wedding photos, you’ll find plenty on my wedding gallery page.
Where to have the Bridal Photo Session?
Bridal photo sessions in Hertfordshire or nearby locations often take place in traditional studio settings, with a nod towards lifestyle photo shoots. However, if you’re an outdoors enthusiast or prefer the charm of a café, those settings can work beautifully as well. Ultimately, the choice of venue is yours to decide.
When to have a Bridal Photo Session?
Scheduling your bridal portraits two to three months before your wedding date is ideal as most significant details of your wedding are likely to be finalised, allowing you to focus more on the session itself. From experience, an excellent time for the shoot is early in the morning, shortly after sunrise, as the light will be soft and flattering. Public places are also quieter at this time, so please bear that in mind when booking your session.
Remember to plan something fun like a dinner with friends afterwards. They would be excited to hear all about your session and seeing you all dressed up and looking beautiful.
Ready to book your bridal photo session? Check out my wedding Instagram for more inspiration.
If you enjoyed this blog post, ‘What is a Bridal Photo Session and Should You Have One?’, why not read another one? 😉