Should I do a bridal session?

I get asked all the time, “Should I do a bridal session? Won’t we get a few shots on the day of the wedding?” The answer to both is yes! But here are a few reasons why I think having a bridal session is a very special opportunity for most brides.

1. An extra chance to dress up: Who doesn’t want to spend more time in their wedding dress?!? Let’s face it, most brides spend months, if not years, dreaming about their wedding gown. Yet, on the actual wedding day, the whirlwind of activities often leaves little time to truly savor the moment. A bridal session provides the opportunity to relish in the experience of wearing the dress, to feel like a queen for an extra day, and to create lasting memories in a more relaxed atmosphere.

ALSO bonus that you can spend this time with some women you love–maybe mom, grandmother, sister, MOH….regardless, bringing them on your session will make special memories for you both!

2. Finalize last minute alterations or adjustments:

Wearing the dress for a little longer during the bridal session means that the bride has a chance to move around in the dress and feel if any additional alterations or adjustments are needed. It’s a practical aspect that often overlooked in the midst of wedding preparations, but it can make a HUGE difference in a bride’s experience on the wedding day. No one wants to be uncomfortable!

Same goes for hair and makeup. Brides get to have their hair and makeup done all day and can see if certain parts of their hair tend to fall and need extra attention on wedding day. Or maybe you want a shift in your makeup that you didn’t notice until the dress was on. Basically, one reason for a bridal session is completely practical!

3. Have a portrait to display at the reception!

The southern tradition of having a bridal portrait to display at the reception is one reason many brides do a bridal session. As a full service studio, I make this part SUPER easy because I can take care of all of it for you. Basically, the bride chooses her favorite portrait and the frame from my sample collection and I take care of the rest!

What happens to the framed portrait after the wedding? Well, that is up to you! Many times, the mother of the bride keeps the portrait to hang in her home. However, sometimes the bride herself hangs on to it! Regardless of who keeps it, this heirloom piece will be looked back on for generations–just as images were meant to be!

4. More photos of the bride!

On the wedding day itself, time is a precious commodity, and the schedule often revolves around portraits of the couple together. This can limit time for the bride alone to just soak in *being a bride*!But with a dedicated bridal session it is all about YOU! And that isn’t selfish, it is celebratory! We can make images that are uniquely *you*. Creative freedom flows and I just love channeling your inner 7 year old twirling in your wedding dress! I am smiling just thinking about it!

In the end, a bridal session is not just about capturing photographs; it’s about capturing a moment in time, a fleeting glimpse of beauty and anticipation. It’s about creating heirlooms that will be cherished for generations to come, evoking memories of love, laughter, and the promise of forever. If you are thinking about a bridal session, what is holding you back? I’d love to chat about if this might be right for you!