Getting Ready For Your Wedding: Tips For A Calm Start To Your Day

When couples think about their wedding photos and overall experience, they usually picture the first look, the ceremony, or golden hour portraits on the lawn. But the truth is, the getting ready part of your day sets the tone for everything that follows.

It’s not just about hair and makeup or slipping into the dress. These hours are filled with laughter, nerves, and quiet moments that ground you before the whirlwind begins. With the right space, timeline, and people around you, getting ready for your wedding can feel calm, supportive, and become a truly memorable part of your big day.

Here’s what you should know (from a wedding photographer who's literally seen it all):

Choosing The Right Space

Where you get ready matters more than you think. From a practical standpoint, you’ll need room for hair and makeup teams (their gear takes up more space than expected!), as well as space for vendors like your florist, coordinator, or photographer to move in and out.

Multiple rooms or a large suite can be a lifesaver. One area can be dedicated to getting dressed while another stays clean for photos or first looks. And from a photographer’s perspective, natural light is everything. Big windows > overhead fluorescents every single time.

Don't underestimate the value of a clean, uncluttered space, either. Not only does it make a huge difference in your photos, but it'll help you stay in a relaxed, engaged headspace.

Create A Stress-Free Morning

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: everything takes longer than you expect. Build in extra buffer time so you don’t feel rushed before photos.

And while we’re on the subject — leave time to live. Getting ready for your wedding doesn’t have to mean hopping from hair and makeup straight into photos. Take a few minutes to breathe, play a game with your wedding party, or step outside to soak in the moment. Those breaks often become the memories you love the most.

For more of my best timeline tips, check out my blog post on creating a feel-good wedding timeline.

Keep The Energy In Check

The people in your space will set the tone for your morning. Do you want a ton of people running around, asking questions, giving unsolicited opinions, and interrupting your chill time? Or, do you want a core group of loved ones who are there to help you stay calm, cool, and collected? (I think it's probably the latter.) So, make sure to surround yourself with those who are supportive and uplifting, and try to limit the number of people coming and going.

Assigning a “point person” is another game-changer. Whether it’s a bridesmaid, family member, or close friend, having someone to field questions means that you can take your time, focus on each task in front of you, and avoid being constantly pulled in different directions.

Getting Ready For Your Wedding? Top Mistakes To Avoid

Even with the best planning, the morning of your wedding can feel like a whirlwind. Here are a few common mistakes I've seen trip couples up (and how to avoid them!):

• Wardrobe malfunctions – Buttons popping, zippers sticking, or straps slipping can all be avoided by doing a full try-on of your outfit (shoes and accessories included) before the big day. Having a small sewing kit or fashion tape on hand can save you in a pinch.

• Not speaking up during hair and makeup – Your stylists want you to love your look. If something feels off, say so in the chair. It’s much easier for them to tweak it than for you to redo it yourself later. You can also schedule a hair and makeup trial ahead of time, so if they're way off the mark, you can let them know before the day of.

• Misplaced essentials – Phones, rings, jewelry, and even bouquets sometimes go missing in the shuffle of people coming and going. Assign a bridesmaid or family member to be “keeper of the things” so you’re not stressing.

• Overcrowding the room – Too many people in the space where you're getting ready for your wedding creates clutter, noise, and stress. Keep your circle small and supportive.

• Negative energy – Weddings are emotional, but this isn’t the time for personal drama or venting. Protect your peace by inviting only those who make you feel calm, loved, and celebrated.

Little fixes like these can keep your morning smooth and allow you to actually enjoy it.

My Favorite Getting Ready Moments To Capture

Some of my favorite photos actually happen before the ceremony. The getting ready hours are full of little moments that couples often don’t realize will mean so much until they look back on them.

Gift or letter exchanges always stand out to me. There is something really grounding about watching someone open a note from their partner and get emotional before the day even kicks off. It slows everything down and reminds you what the day is truly about.

I also love photographing the in-between moments that no one really plans but everyone remembers. A bridesmaid fastening the last button, a groom adjusting his cufflinks, parents catching each other’s eyes across the room. Sometimes it is laughter filling the space, other times it is the quiet pause of a bride taking a breath in the mirror before stepping into her dress.

Those little pieces of the morning balance out the big portraits and dance floor photos later. They capture the anticipation, the nerves, the joy, and all the real feelings that make a wedding day unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Getting ready for your wedding isn’t only about checking things off your timeline or making sure your hair and makeup look perfect. It is about how you feel stepping into the day you have been dreaming of. When you create a calm, supportive, and joyful environment, those first few hours can become some of the sweetest memories of your wedding.

And while you’re soaking it all in, I’ll be there to capture it — the big emotions, the small details, and the in-between moments that tell the full story of your morning.

If you're planning your wedding and want photos that feel just as personal and intentional as your day, I’d love to connect:

• Learn more about my wedding photography services

• Get to know me on my About page

• Or reach out here to chat about your plans