Blog post

What to Look For in a Getting Ready Space for Your Wedding Day

what to look for in a getting ready space for your wedding day

What to Look For in a Getting Ready Space for Your Wedding Day

We’ve photographed brides and grooms getting ready in just about every situation; tiny hotel rooms, historic estates, hotel suites, dark church nurseries, parents homes, big beach houses, etc.

The getting ready location should feel cohesive to your wedding day and reflect your wedding style, but there are certainly some important things to keep in mind when choosing where you each get ready for your wedding day, including considerations for party rentals such as the ones being offered by Forever Party Rentals.

And if you’re getting married in Charleston SC check out our blog post on the best places to get ready at on your wedding day!

1. Get ready at the same location or near by to each other

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a photography team is that I can be with one group while they get ready, and Jay can be with the other.

However, our start time begins as soon as we arrive to the first getting ready location. As an example, if your partner is getting ready at a location an hour away from you (and yes…this has happened), that’s an hour lost for documenting memories later in the day.

Its beneficial for both of you to get ready at the same location or one to be a short distance away.

2. Wedding venue

There are lots of wedding venues such as this wedding venue in Phoenix that have a space for one of you to get ready at. It’s usually called a bridal suite even though that term is outdated because there’s not always a bride. When you’re touring your wedding venue, ask them if they provide a getting ready suite, and if so, ask to view it to see if it will be a good fit for you! Browse the net and look for the different weddings in the Maldives, this may be a perfect one for you.

If you plan on having a lot of people (wedding party members, parents, etc) and the space is super small, it’s not going to work out. Flagstaff hotels have special Flagstaff wedding venues that’ll fit different needs.

Definitely avoid any spaces that have no windows or very small windows.

Some venues even have rules about when you can arrive on property to get ready, so make sure to ask that too. If its cutting it close, it’s better to look elsewhere like big spacious historic air bnb!

3. A Cool Hotel with Unique Decor

Hotels can be a great space for getting ready. Upgrading to a multi room suite or booking connecting rooms is the best option!

Suites are much larger and can accommodate more people, and usually have bigger/more mirrors so that multiple people can get ready at the same time.

Connecting rooms are even better (in my opinion). Throw 5+ girls or guys in one hotel room, trying to get ready for a beautiful wedding = one huge mess. There’s clothes, purses, makeup, shavers, suits, luggage, food, and lots of people strewn about the rooms.

Usually, we’re cleaning up a space for you to get ready. Connecting rooms solve this problem! It adds one more bathroom for your crew to get ready in, but the rest of the room should stay untouched and this is where you’ll get dressed.

No mess, no clutter to clean. Just great photos (-:

4. LOTS of natural light & large windows

I literally cannot stress this part enough. Because of out photography style, we need lots and lots of natural light. Be it at the hotel or the wedding venue, look for lots of windows! The bigger the better (-: Natural light makes for the best getting ready photos.

5. Distance to ceremony site or First Look location

Finding a spot to get ready that is close to your ceremony or First Look location should be considered. If you choose a spot that is 30 minutes from where you get ready, it could impact the timeline! Plus thats 30 minutes of your photography time wasted in a car.

We always buffer additional time into the timeline for traffic and running late in general. If you’re getting ready spot is on a gorgeous property, consider using it as the place for your First Look.

If no First Look is being done, choose a spot no further than 15 minutes from your ceremony site.

6. Large Space


Make sure the space is large enough to accomodate everyone who needs to get ready with you – moms, dads, the wedding party, hair & makeup artists, and your photographer!

Katie + Jay of Catherine Ann Photography are Charleston SC Based Wedding & Elopement Photographers specializing in candid & fun wedding photos that feel like you!  

Ready to book your wedding with us? Get in touch here! 

charleston | new york | Europe

Vibrant, documentary-style wedding photography for fun, fashionable couples hosting an intentional, laid-back wedding with the people that matter most

Est. 2009

Luxury wedding photographer providing vibrant, documentary images for fun, fashionable party people in the U.S & Europe! Charleston based.

 

catherineannphotography@gmail.com