Bridal Tips: Before the Big Day

These bridal tips come from a wedding photographer’s perspective, refined through years of experience.

Here’s how to get ready and avoid some common last-minute pitfalls.

Bridal Tips: A Few Days Before

As the wedding nears, take special care with beauty routines:

Avoid Changes in Hair Color and Skincare: No last-minute experiments with hair color or new skincare products, and skip tanning. If using self-tanner, test it beforehand to avoid mismatches with your groom’s skin tone.
Getting Used to Lenses: If you typically wear glasses but want to use lenses for the wedding, start wearing them a few days in advance to ensure comfort.
Full Wardrobe Trial: Try on your wedding dress with the exact undergarments and shoes you'll wear, checking carefully in the mirror to make sure it all looks perfect.
Nails: Your manicure should harmonize with your bridal look. A natural French manicure often works better for photos than dramatic colors.
Encourage Groom’s Grooming: Suggest the groom see a stylist for light makeup and a manicure. Clean, well-groomed hands look better for ring exchange photos, and a natural skin tone helps in close-up shots.

With just hours to go, some small preparations can make a big difference:

Double-Check With Vendors: Contact your makeup artist, hairstylist, photographer, and other key people to confirm arrival times. Allow extra time for hair and makeup, as these can often run longer than expected.
Get a Good Night’s Rest: Avoid late-night parties, aiming to go to bed by midnight. No makeup can truly mask a tired look, so proper rest is key. Try sleeping on two or three pillows if you’re worried about under-eye bags, and consider a tea bag compress in the morning.
Avoid Heavy Food: Keep your dinner light to feel fresh in the morning.
Charge Your Phones: Make sure both of your phones are fully charged so that your day isn’t interrupted by a low battery.
Prepare Everything in Advance: Lay out all the items you plan to take with you, like jewelry, shoes, and accessories, to avoid morning chaos.
Cut All Labels: Remove tags from lingerie, robes, the groom’s suit, and your wedding dress to avoid them showing in photos.
Consider where your groom will be while you're getting ready, so he’s not left waiting too long.

Tip for Your Maid of Honor: Make sure she brings a roomy bag to carry these essentials.
Practice Ring Exchange: Hold the rings from the bottom so they’re clearly visible for photos, reducing jitters during the ceremony.

Pack an “emergency kit” for quick fixes. Include:

Limit Phones: Politely ask guests to avoid taking photos with their phones. Guests using their phones not only affect photo quality but may also miss out on experiencing the day with you.
Remind Your Bridesmaids: Let your bridal party know they’ll be photographed throughout the day, so they should be fully ready when they join you.
Separate Glam Rooms: If possible, have bridesmaids do their hair and makeup in a separate space to avoid clutter and keep your suite picture-perfect. If this isn’t possible, designate a specific area in the room for makeup and ensure they don’t spread their belongings all over. Keep it tidy!

Make the start of your day magical:

Smile and Enjoy a Light Breakfast: Even if you’re nervous, eat a little something like yogurt or fruit to keep up your energy and avoid headaches.
2 hours before the photographer comes remove items that leave marks: Take off any socks, bra straps, or tight accessories that could leave marks on your skin. Slip into a beautiful silk robe for getting-ready photos.
Prepare Accessories for Photos: Arrange your rings, shoes, veil, and other items in a visible spot, so the photographer doesn’t waste time searching.
Tidy Up: Make sure the space is clean and organized; scattered items or an unmade bed can affect your photos.
Hand Over the Emergency Kit: Give your kit to your maid of honor or wedding planner.
Take a Deep Breath and Look in the Mirror: Smile at yourself—your big day has arrived!