Why a Bridal Session Matters

Women begin dreaming of and planning their wedding long before they even understand what marriage is. But those little girls know one thing for sure: it involves an amazing dress and all eyes will be on her. As the only girl surrounded by brothers, I was definitely one of those girls.

A bridal portrait is a picture of the bride in her beautiful wedding dress. The photo session is done a few weeks or months before the big day. Since the photographer and the bride are  not having to rush to get that perfect shot on the wedding day, bridal sessions are fun and carefree.

But, I know what you are thinking: won't my photographer take photos of me in the dress on the wedding day? Well, of course! But, weddings are packed with so many activities and long lost relatives itching to see the bride and groom, that sometimes, there isn't enough time to get the desired shots.

5 reasons why every bride should do a bridal shoot:

1. Sneak Peek. When planning a wedding, you work with a hundred different puzzle pieces and have to wait until the day of the wedding to see how they perfectly fit together. The same is true with your wedding day style. You have the dress, the shoes, the accessories, the hair and the make up but why wait until the day of the wedding to see how they all come together? Scheduling a bridal portrait shoot with your photographer gives you the opportunity to see exactly how you’ll look and allows you the opportunity to make desired changes prior to the big day.

 2. Get Comfortable. A bridal portrait shoot is a win-win situation for both you and your photographer. Your photographer learns which poses work best for you and what techniques to use to get the best quality pictures. You get a relaxed and stress-free setting to explore how to become comfortable in front of the camera and how to interact with your photographer. Instead of working together for the first time on the wedding day, you and your photographer already have experience and can maximize the available time to get the best pictures possible without adding unnecessary stress to a wildly emotional day.

 3. Location, Location, Location. There is no rule that says your bridal portrait needs to be at the same venue as your wedding. It doesn’t even have to fit within the same theme. You’ll get hundreds of pictures at your wedding venue on the wedding day so why not take the opportunity to explore a different location, style or season? You’ve invested a lot in your dress and should have pictures that showcase it and you in various locations.

 4. Be Creative. The days of sitting in front of a colored backdrop and posing with your hand strategically under your chin are over. Bridal portrait shoots are meant for exploring your creative side. Don’t limit yourself to just posing with your dress and a bouquet of flowers. Incorporate props such as antique cars, vintage parasols, unique backdrops, large accessory pieces or even animals.

5. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. The tradition of displaying a bridal portrait at the wedding reception is still prevalent in weddings today and if you opt to display one, a bridal portrait shoot is necessary in order to do so. Even if you don’t want something that grand, a bridal portrait shoot gives you tangible pictures to have and hold on the wedding day. Why not give a framed picture of you in your gown to your parents or grandparents on the day of the wedding as a thank you? It’s a gift and moment they’ll remember long after the wedding day.