Interested in a bridal portrait session before your wedding day? This article is for you!
Are you curious about bridal portraits, but not sure if it is something you’d like to prioritize? If you’ve already had engagement photos, you might think, “what’s the point of another session?” — this article is here to help you decide!
Let’s get into some FAQs about bridal sessions, break down all the pros and cons, and see if it’s right for you.
Frequently asked questions about Bridal Portrait Sessions:
What is a bridal portrait session?
Bridal portrait sessions are private 1:1 shoots with just the photographer. Your partner is not involved and the focus is just on you.
How can I use bridal portraits? What do I do with them?
One bride printed her favorite image and hung it in a beautiful frame for the reception. Others have a separate album made for their spouse. Others do it simply for the extra images in their final gallery. Another common way to use the images is to gift prints to grandparents and parents, who often love hanging the individual portraits in their homes.
The cons of bridal portrait sessions
Ultimately, the only major con of a separate bridal portrait session is the additional cost. Planning a wedding is a lot of logistics and expense, so it’s understandable to cut out non-necessities to stay under budget.
However, there are some great reasons to have a bridal portrait session.
The pros of a bridal portrait session
If you’re on the fence about it, here are some practical reasons to schedule a bridal session.
You can get the most use of your hair and makeup trial. For me, this was a big regret. Many people pay for hair and makeup trials before the wedding day - and then what? You’re all dolled up, you look great, you paid for it…instead of washing it off right away, head to a bridal portrait session and test everything out together.
You get to try on your entire ensemble before the wedding and know exactly what to alter or change. Instead of hiding in your bathroom trying on your entire outfit for fitting or just because you’re excited, have a bridal session. You get to put the entire thing together and strut your stuff. It’s also a great opportunity to figure out if something needs altered or changed.
You spend more 1:1 time with your photographer. Especially if you’re nervous about being in front of the camera all day, some quality time with your photographer is helpful. You can get to know each other, which means your photographer feels more like a sidekick or friend on your wedding day vs. a stranger.
You get dedicated portraits and time to relax. There isn’t always time on wedding days to get creative and take photos of just one spouse. Even if you intentionally set extra time aside on your day for portraits, it often feels hectic and rushed. In your head, you know how much is going on behind the scenes. Bridal portrait sessions have none of that pressure and make 100% sure all the effort and money you’ve put into your look is photographed exactly the way you want.
You can practice moving and posing in your dress. The confidence you gain after a little practice in front of the camera helps a lot on your wedding day. If you’re shy, seeing the way you move and look on camera will relieve some nerves. You’ll also get a sense of how to stand or position yourself for the camera, making posing on the wedding day more natural and intuitive.
You will have all the alterations and accessories put together long before the wedding day. The extra pressure to have your outfit ready a little early will be less stress down the line. It also gives you a buffer for additional adjustments or changes if you end up not liking something after seeing it all put together.
How to know if a bridal portrait session is right for you
If all the above pros would relieve any stress you’re currently feeling around your outfit, it’s a good idea to consider a bridal portrait session. It’s about more than more photos - it’s another test run before the wedding day!
But if you’re still not sure, reach out to me for more information on bridal portrait sessions in the Charlotte area. I’m happy to guide you through the process.
Interested in bridal portraits? Let’s chat!
More wedding guides and planning resources for the Charlotte, NC area:
The content on this blog was written by Mariah Arianna, copywriter and content blogger for photographers