The big day is finally here. After months, possibly even years of preparation, it’s actually happening. You are getting married to the one you love – the one you are going to spend the rest of your life with. It’s an exciting day that you will never forget for the rest of your life. With all of this exhilaration and anticipation in mind, don’t you want to have the entire day captured on film?

The “getting ready” photos of your wedding day are when the photographer captures the moments of the bride and groom in preparation. In separate locations, the photographer shoots as the groom dresses to the nines with his groomsmen and the bride gets her hair and makeup done, puts on her wedding dress (a truly magical moment!), and both parties ramp up with excitement.

Many couples don’t think that the getting ready photos are necessary. Particularly brides, who don’t want to be documented without makeup or their hair done up perfect. As professionals in the wedding industry for several years, we are here to say that there are many benefits to having your getting ready photos taken. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!

• We know a lot of professional wedding photographers who have told us the getting ready shots are some of the most poignant shots they take of a wedding day. They are oftentimes the most candid and the bride and groom are glowing with anticipation. The shots of the father and mother of the bride seeing her all done up for the first time are always special.

• The added time of preparation allows the photographer and couple to connect, which makes a big difference in how relaxed everyone is during the next rounds of photography. Making this connection early in the day leads to even better pictures of the ceremony, wedding party, and reception!

• If brides don’t want to be photographed until they are all made up, a photographer can arrive for just the tail end of hair and makeup. A bride can ask the makeup artist to go last, that way the photographer only captures them with their hair already done and makeup being applied.

• The getting ready shots allow the photographer to capture small details that may be missed during the ceremony and reception. The details include the dress, rings, shoes, cufflinks, and bouquets. Getting ready is the best time to shoot small details like the hemming on the dress, the sparkle of the shoes, and the arrangement of the floral bouquet. If these details are important to you, getting ready shots are necessary!

• Like every good fairy tale, the wedding album needs a beginning, middle, and end. The getting ready shots are the beginning of your wedding’s story. They document the beginning of your journey together and when people who could not attend the wedding look through the album, you are going to want them to see the whole story!