What is a Bridal Session & Why Should You should DEFINITELY Schedule One
Booking a bridal session may, on the surface, may seem like another thing to add to your already busy schedule. But trust us, it’s something you will not regret, and hopefully, even consider adding to your itinerary.
Planning a wedding for the first time is a whirlwind experience filled with hundreds of fresh choices, new terms to learn, and emotions you’ve never felt before. And while organizing the many vendors, and suppliers needed to create a successful big day, you’ll undoubtedly find that you’re asked questions that you just don’t know the answer to! This is completely understandable, and as an experienced wedding photographer in New York, I’ve seen it countless times. And that is why I always try to guide my couples through the process and explain every element in the timeline, so there can be no uncomfortable confusion. During consultations, one of the terms I’m often quizzed about is the bridal session, with many wondering what it actually is.
Our brides wedding dress beautiful shoes she will wear for her big day!
Today, I thought I’d clear up any confusion around the bridal session and share why you should certainly consider booking one with your wedding photographer.
What is a Bridal Session?
Simply, a bridal session is a photoshoot centered around the bride and does not feature the groom (unless you want to). This photo session takes place before the big day, and is usually held either at the wedding venue, a place the bride has a connection to, or somewhere the photographer recommends. For the bridal session, the bride will get ready as if it were the wedding day, with their wedding dress, bouquet, and full hair/makeup done.
It’s a Trial Run
Normally, brides don’t get to see their whole big day look put together until their wedding morning. Which can sometimes lead to last-minute panic when the realization comes that the chosen hairstyle or bridal bouquet now doesn’t look right with the dress, for example. Because as a bride, you may have done a hair trial with your stylist before the big day, and you may have even done an engagement session, but never have you seen your whole wedding day ensemble put together all at once. Booking a bridal session, you’ll be able to see everything on, together, before the big day, and guarantee that you’re happy with your overall look.
A beautiful bride admiring and adjusting her wedding ensemble.
Practice for your Wedding Day Photography
For most couples, having their photograph taken professionally is a fresh experience and one that doesn’t come naturally for everyone. It can feel weird to be directed by a photographer, and also take time to feel comfortable with them. Therefore, the more practice you get in front of the camera, and the more time you spend getting to know your photographer, the better your wedding day photography will be. Getting to know your angles and what looks right to you. This is true of a bridal session, and also an engagement session, which will also allow your partner to practice their posing.
Stress-free Portraits
As a New York wedding photographer, I actually prefer to schedule a bridal session, over an engagement. Because they alleviate so much stress for both bride, and photographer! During your wedding day, you’ll be pulled this way and that by hundreds of different well-wishers, and your brain will be working so hard to keep up with it all. So, when the time comes to take your bridal portraits, you’ll be unable to focus or relax enough to produce the kind of shots you desire. By scheduling a bridal session, you’ll be able to capture the images you want, in a stress-free environment. Which will subsequently produce much better results than if you’d taken them on the day. We can also streamline your timeline, by taking photos of your bridal details during your session. One less thing to think about!
A happy bride and her bridesmaids enjoying a stress-free bridal session.
A Memento for Family & a Display at the Reception
By having your bridal portraits done in advance before your wedding day, you’ll allow yourself plenty of time to produce some keepsakes for family and close friends. Be this a full-size print in a frame, or a printed album. Also, if you’re keen to display pictures at your reception, a bridal session will allow you the much-needed production time to print and prepare them for display. And when planning a wedding, time is always a privilege!
There we have it! With this new knowledge, don’t forget to pass it on or maybe even book a bridal session of your own!
If you’re looking for a New York wedding photographer to capture your big day, feel free to browse the real weddings via the Blissful Stills Photography Instagram page. And if you like what you see, please check out our services page. For any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch via BlissfulStills contact page.
