Wedding Getting Ready Location | Virginia Wedding Photographer Tips | Where to Get Ready on Your Wedding Day

Getting ready on your wedding day is such a magical experience! You’re sipping mimosas, spending time with your closest friends and family, and dreaming of meeting your loved one at the altar. For many, it’s one of the few times they’ve ever had their hair and makeup professionally done, so the last thing you want is pictures turning out less-than-perfect because of where you chose to get ready. While choosing a getting ready location for both of you may feel like just another thing on your plate, if you keep these few tips in mind, finding the perfect spots can be a piece of cake!

Focus on the Light!

The number one way to get beautiful getting-ready photos is to find spaces with awesome light! Lots of windows are ideal, and if you can find south-facing windows, it’s even better. And not only does natural light help out your photographer, but it helps your makeup artist a lot too! Even if you can’t find a place that fits anything else on this list, if you can find spaces with good lighting, it can make a world of difference. 

Opt for Neutral Decor

In general you want your getting ready photos to focus on you, not the room. For that reason, it’s super helpful to find a place with neutral and bright decor; white or neutral walls, simple furniture, hardwood floors. Plus, white walls help to reflect the light, giving you a beautiful glow. 

And don’t forget the carpet! Sometimes even the nicest hotels can have pretty gross carpets, so try to find somewhere with a nice carpet or other floorings. Modern, simple flooring is the best for timeless photos.

Choose Somewhere with Extra Space

In an ideal world, I would have all my clients get ready in a space with a minimum of two rooms. One room for hair and makeup, storing bags, eating and drinking and the other for putting on your dress or suit and taking photos. However, I know that’s not always possible, so at least try to find a space with two designated areas. When your wedding party is getting ready with you they tend to bring a lot of stuff with them, and we don’t want clutter filling up the back of your photos. Make sure to have at least a corner of the room nice and clean so you aren’t scrambling to organize before your photos. 

Keep Your Wedding Aesthetic in Mind

Your getting ready photos are the start of your wedding album and will set the tone for the gallery as a whole. It’s a good idea to try to find a getting-ready location that fits the aesthetic of your wedding so that the photos flow seamlessly into your next moments. For example, if you’re getting married at a historic estate, getting ready in an ultra-modern hotel will feel disconnected from your other photos. In the same way, make sure that the getting-ready spaces for both partners have a similar aesthetic. Thinking of your morning as a part of the overall wedding day rather than just a place to get ready will help you have the best photos possible. 

The best place to get ready on your wedding day is a space that feels like a blank canvas and allows the images to focus on you. In my years as a wedding photographer, I have seen all kinds of different getting-ready spaces, both good and bad. In the end, what matters most is that you’re getting married to the love of your life! But, if you follow the tips above, you’re sure to have getting ready photos that you love. 

Are you getting married in the DC metro area? I’d love to chat about being your wedding photographer! Inquire today!

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See more of Kelsey & Jon’s beautiful wedding day here!