Getting Ready Tips for Your Wedding Day

The getting-ready part of your wedding day sets the tone for everything that follows — it’s where the excitement builds, the laughter starts, and some of the sweetest moments unfold! A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping things calm, organized, and beautiful (especially on camera!).

Here are a few of my favorite getting-ready tips to help your day feel smooth, stress-free, and photo-ready.

1. Gather All Your Details in One Spot

Before your wedding morning, collect all your important details and keep them together in one easily accessible box or basket. This makes it quick and simple for me and Mark to style everything beautifully when we arrive — I’ll be with the bride, and Mark will be with the groom.

For the Bride:

• Shoes and garter

• Vow book

• Invitation suite — include two full sets of any pieces that have designs on both sides

• Your wedding and engagement rings, plus the ring box she wants photographed

• Jewelry — tags should be removed from the necklace and bracelet, and earrings should be unattached from any packaging or paper so everything is ready to photograph

• Perfume bottle

• Veil

• Any sentimental items or heirlooms she’d love to include, such as something old, new, borrowed, and/or blue

• The dress hanging up

For the Groom:

• His ring

• Shoes

• Watch

• Tie or bowtie

• Jacket

• Belt

• Cufflinks

• Cologne

• Vow book

• Boutonnière

• Flask

• Any other personal details or accessories he’ll wear or carry

Having these ready to go helps me and Mark quickly create a flat lay or two and capture your dress while hair and make-up are in their final stages — and no one will have to stop to track things down!

2. Clear the Clutter

Before we start coverage, have your wedding party take a few minutes to tidy up your getting-ready spaces. Move bags, water bottles, and random items into a closet, bathroom, or hallway so the background of your photos is clean. This is especially important in a bridal suite with mirrors that can see everything!

A clutter-free space makes a huge difference in how polished your getting-ready photos look!

3. Prep the Dress, Veil, and Hangers

As for the wedding dress, be sure take the dress out of the garment bag and hang it on a beautiful hanger — it photographs so much better that way. Choose a hanger that feels elevated, and make sure the dress is already steamed (if it needs it) before we arrive.

The veil should also be steamed (if needed) and hanging or draped gently over a chair so it doesn’t wrinkle. Avoid folding or bunching it up in a bag or box — a little care here makes a huge difference in how it photographs later!

If the bridesmaids or moms want their dresses included in detail photos, hang those neatly, too — ideally on matching or coordinating hangers, and definitely out of the plastic. Having everything ready when we arrive lets us start capturing those beautiful detail shots right away!

4. Make Sure Florals Are in the Right Rooms

Having bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages in the correct rooms saves a ton of time once we begin coverage. Here’s how to keep it simple:

• All bouquets belong with the bride.

• All boutonnières should be with the groom, except for the bride's father’s (and grandfathers’, if applicable).

• All corsages should be with the bride, except for the groom’s mother’s (and groom’s grandmothers’, if applicable).

It’s a good idea to double-check with your florist ahead of time to make sure the flowers are delivered to the correct rooms and on time — ideally before we start photo and video coverage. That way, your florals can be included in your detail photos and those sweet getting-ready moments with your loved ones!

🌸 Bonus tip: If possible, ask your florist to include a tiny bouquet or a few loose stems just for your flat lays! Having a few extra flowers and greenery allows me to tie your detail photos together beautifully and match them perfectly with the rest of your wedding day florals.

5. Timing for the Groom’s Side

By the time coverage begins, the groomsmen should be fully dressed — suits, ties, shoes, and boutonnieres on. Mark will capture candid photos with the groomsmen after he captures the groom's flat lay and getting ready, so no t-shirts or shorts, please!

It’s best, however, if your groom is not fully dressed yet when Mark arrives. All of his details should be set aside for Mark to photograph first. Once the flat lay photos are done, the groom can finish getting ready — usually with the help of his best man and dad — and Mark will capture those natural moments of him putting everything on, followed by the candid photos with his groomsmen — cue the drinks!

A few quick notes about timing on the groom’s side:

• Mother of the groom’s corsage: The groom puts this on after his first look with her.

• Groom’s boutonnière: Goes on right after that moment — pinned by his mom.

• Groomsmen’s and father of the groom’s boutonnières: Should already be pinned and ready before we start coverage.

6. Timing for the Bride’s Side

While I’m photographing the bride's details, bridesmaids can stay cozy or get into in their robes or PJs, tidy up any last-minute clutter, and get the champagne and glasses ready (but don’t pop it yet!).

After I capture the dress and flat lay but before we pop the champagne, I’ll capture some sweet candids of the bride with her mom (and sometimes the groom’s mom) in robes or PJs — laughing, chatting, and soaking in that anticipation together. These relaxed moments are some of my favorites from the morning.

Then, while mom is getting dressed, we’ll pop champagne with the bride and bridesmaids — it’s such a fun, lively way to transition into the next part of the morning! Or, if we are skipping the champagne, we can capture some candid photos with the bride and bridesmaids on the bed or a couch laughing together!

Once these fun, candid photos are done and the bride's mom is dressed, the Maid of Honor can quickly get ready so she’s prepared to help with the next steps. This is when the bride will put the corsage on your mom, and then she’ll help zip you into your dress.

After you’re in your gown, we’ll move through all the little finishing touches that make for some of the most beautiful and emotional photos of the morning —

• Bracelet and necklace with your Maid of Honor, Mom and/or Sister

• Earrings and garter, which you’ll put on yourself

• Shoes with your Maid of Honor’s help

• Veil, placed by your Maid of Honor, Mom and/or Sister

• And finally, your Mom hands you your bouquet

Once you’re fully dressed, your bridesmaids can gather around to fluff your train and veil, and we’ll capture those joyful, emotional moments as everything comes together!

After a few indoor bridal portraits, then it’s time for your first look with your dad — one of the most heartfelt parts of the day — followed by the moment where you’ll pin on his boutonnière before heading out for your first look with the groom (if applicable).

This flow keeps your morning calm, natural, and full of beautiful, connected moments — exactly the kind of storytelling we love to capture.

Final Thoughts

Your getting-ready time is more than just preparation — it’s part of your love story. With a few thoughtful steps and a little planning, you’ll be free to soak in the laughter, anticipation, and joy of the day — while we capture it all, just as it unfolds.

I know this part of the day can sometimes feel hectic — but take a deep breath. I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way, helping things flow naturally and beautifully. And no matter what happens, just keep smiling and enjoying yourself! The timeline is simply a plan — the most important thing is that you’re marrying the love of your life.