The Bride (or Groom’s) Dressing Place
By Marius Janse van Rensburg
As Wedding Photographers, we are honored to be invited into the bride (and sometime the groom’s) dressing place to capture the wealth of emotions and moments surrounding the final hours of ‘singledom’. As the bride is laced up into her dress by her coterie of bridesmaids and her mother looks on adoringly before the final touches are applied, the photographer has the unique opportunity to capture these intimate moments.
At the groom’s dressing place the boys are being boys and this could add some unique photo-ops. Some testosterone filled excitement before the wedding is the boys’ way of celebrating the biggest of occasions. Imagine smoking cigars and drinking beer in a bathtub…
Whether we take photos at the bride’s or the groom’s dressing place. Here are some tips to make our job so much easier:
Consider getting dressed at a Guesthouse
Just think about it. Your home (or parents’ place) will have family milling around and will be buzzing with final arrangements being made – something you should not be involved with on you wedding day. Visiting Friends and Family might be sharing your room or take turns to get dressed themselves. Even when you have your turn and everybody is out, how would they have left the room? Clutter is inevitable, but then it should be your own clutter! Getting dressed at a place such as a local Guesthouse, allows you to be private and more relaxed, with only your bridal party allowed to be there and assist with your preparations.
Such places of accommodation will also be geared to provide a room that is possibly filled with antiques, or themed furnishings. This allows for a more photogenic setting when capturing those special final moments. In our experience, brides who slept away from home, and was pampered in such a setting the night before and the day of the wedding, felt more relaxed and were truly ‘prepped’ for the wedding day. It makes you feel special and treasured – exactly as a bride should feel!
This is a very personal choice however, as you might prefer being close to your family on the night before the wedding. This does not mean however that you cannot contact a Bed and Breakfast to find out whether they will allow you to get dressed at their venue!
Finally, make sure you have a designated person to take your bags and personal belongings, and take care of it, when you leave for the ceremony!!!
Your Room is your Kingdom
If you decide to get dressed at home, then consider your room to be your kingdom. Treat your room as the place where the wedding starts. Be sure to create the romantic atmosphere that you want your wedding to reflect around the place where you prepare. This will allow you to be calm, relaxed and focused on the events of the day.
Ensure the room is clutter free. Put away your discarded clothing (or get somebody to do it for you). If possible, do not let the bridesmaids get dressed in your room.
You want the room you get dressed in to be a reflection of who you are and the statement you want your wedding day to make. Make sure you have a great start to your wedding day!
The key to having great photos are not just in the hands of the photographer. In every respect it the surroundings has to contribute to the feelings and the experience surrounding your wedding.
And finally: Remember that your maid of honor and best man has a role to fulfill on the day. Have fun!