• Home
  • About
    • About
    • Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy
  • Press
  • Work With Us
    • Creatives + Brands
    • Interior Design + Decorating
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

STAY AWHILE

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy
  • Press
  • Work With Us
    • Creatives + Brands
    • Interior Design + Decorating
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

A Hosting Home

Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Weddings

Why You Should Say I-Do To Bridal Portraits

Why You Should Take Bridal Portraits

A while back, I got asked by my dear friend Kati at Kati Hewitt Photography to send her a little blurb for her amazing bridal guide about why I think it’s important for all Brides to get bridal portraits done before their wedding day. But, it got me thinking.

Why would anyone not take bridal portraits?

It just seemed like something that every one did. It seemed just like one of the to-dos to cross off your The Knot app. The thought of not doing them seemed so foreign to me. There are so many reasons for why brides should take bridal portraits. Dressing like a princess and getting to wear your dress twice is only one of them! (And, only the icing on the cake!)

Why You Should Take Bridal Portraits

Photo: This is You by Mark and Tracy

You get to wear your gown twice. 

Wedding dresses can take up a pretty big chunk of wedding budgets now-a-days. Why would you need any other reason to take bridal portraits other than getting to wear that expensive white dress twice? You may be like Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel from Friends who just sit around and drink in wedding gowns. But, chances are you’re not going to get to wear that dress again after your big day. There’s nothing more fun than getting to dress up like a princess and get your picture taken. There’s a reason why we all dressed up as a bride when we were little.

Wedding Gown Friends Episode

I loved my bridal portraits!

I couldn’t be more glad that I did them. The best way I know how to put it is like this. You know how you usually do an engagement session to get comfortable in front of the camera doing couples portraits so you’ll be more comfortable and relaxed for them on your wedding day? I feel like doing bridal portraits was kind of the same concept. It was an opportunity for me to get comfortable in front of the camera in my wedding dress, make up, and hair so that I was more comfortable taking photos on my wedding day.

You learn a lot at your session.

I feel like I learned a lot wearing that gown before the big day. I learned how to fake laugh (Kati made me a pro!), hold my bouquet (which I kept trying to hold way too high at first!), WALK IN MY DRESS at my outside venue (oh boy, that was a big one), fluff and carry my dress (talk about an awkward arm full), play with my veil (another awkward thing to maneuver), and really just pose in general without passing out when you likely can hardly breathe in your dress.

I’d like to think I’m a pretty good model when it came to regular clothes. However, I found my wedding dress to be a whole other beast. Taking bridal portraits really made me feel beautiful, confident, and ready to take on my wedding day!

It’s a great hair and make-up trial run.

Taking bridal portraits was a really good opportunity to give my hair and makeup a good, realistic test run. I am lucky enough to have a hair stylist for a mother, so she was able to travel down to do another hair trial. My bridal portraits were set at the same time as my wedding ceremony. So, we treated the day of my bridal portraits as a mock wedding day. Treating my bridal portraits as such was a really good way to get an idea about how long the getting ready process would take on the actual day of the wedding.

Spoiler alert: I should have known it would take way longer on the actual day.

It took me longer to get ready on my wedding day for natural reasons. However, I do believe it really helped the process to at least go smoother. With all the anxiety of your wedding day, your make up and hair are bound to take longer. (Especially if you are doing either of them yourself!) But, you’ll be confident and more able to recreate your bridal look better since you’ve taken the time to practice before with your bridal portraits.

It’s a sneak peak of what’s to come.

Another good reason to take bridal portraits is one you may have not thought of: it allows you the opportunity to see how you will look in photographs in your dress, jewelry, hair, and makeup. From this you can adjust your look to look even more perfect on your wedding day! (Although it’s not often!)

I was one of those girls in the small percentage. I actually decided to change my look slightly after my own bridal portraits. In my bridal portraits I wore pearl studs thinking that anything else would look too much with my heavily jeweled gown. However, when I got my photos back, I kept thinking there was something missing. I looked beautiful and almost perfect the way I was, but I didn’t feel complete. I decided to order custom Kendra Scott Earrings, and I couldn’t have been happier with how it elegantly completed my look. And, I would have never known had I not taken bridal portraits!

There are no do-overs on your wedding day.

Your big wedding day is a once and a life time opportunity. There are no do-overs. You’re going to look back on this day with your loved one for years and years to come. You don’t want to look back after all those years and wish you would have done them. Having bridal portraits done will give you the opportunity to get excited for your wedding day, feel like the beautiful bride that you are, and really cherish those sweet moments in your wedding gown. (since the actual day goes by in such a blur!)

Display a canvas at the reception.

It’s also custom for the bride to display her bridal portraits at the reception on a canvas. It’s instant wedding decor, a beautiful keep sake to have in your future home, and the perfect excuse to swoon over yourself in print. Having your favorite portraits blown up on a canvas at the reception will also give your guests one more thing to ooh and ahh over! I displayed two large canvases at my reception, and my mother and I each kept one for ourselves after the wedding. It was perfect!

March 29, 2017

« What You Can Skip on Your Wedding Registry
Tips for Embracing the Rainy Wedding Day »

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Our Drive By Baby Shower / A Hosting Home BlogOur Drive By Baby Shower!
  • A Peek at Last Year's Christmas Decor / A Hosting Home BlogHow-To Transition Your Christmas Decor into the Rest of Winter
  • My Top 5 Holiday Hosting Tips VIDEO / A Hosting Home BlogMy Top 5 Holiday Hosting Tips (VIDEO)
  • Greenery Wedding Ideas, Greenery Wedding Inspiration, Certified Atlanta Wedding PlannerUsing Pantone’s Color of the Year to Create Your Dream Wedding Palette

Comments

  1. Life Of A Med School Wife Blog- Courtney says

    August 21, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Such a great post! I absolutely agree, bridal portraits are so necessary. It was a great way to have a trail run for my hair and makeup and to make sure I LOVED how they all looked with my dress. It really was so much fun to wear my dress twice. It really made me feel like a bride.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      August 23, 2017 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you, Courtney! I am so glad that you loved the post. That is exactly how I feel about my own bridal portraits! 🙂 My mom was able to be there during my bridal portrait session (she did my hair for my wedding), and we still talk about that day!

      Reply
  2. Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor says

    August 21, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    These are some great points!! I will have to remember this when my hubby and renew our vows one day.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      August 23, 2017 at 7:53 pm

      Thank you, Ayanna! Vow renewals are such a special thing. I hope my hubby and I can have an intimate vow-renewal some day with our family and friends and plan it like a mini wedding – ha! Definitely #lifeofaweddingplanner 😉

      Reply
  3. Jordyn Galan says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    I love the confidence boost for a self photo shoot!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      August 23, 2017 at 7:53 pm

      It was definitely a great experience of learning how to rock that dress! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says

    August 22, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    I never would have thought of #1, but that’s so true! Great reasons for choosing to do a bridal shoot!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      August 23, 2017 at 7:54 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the tips! 🙂 I think it’s definitely something every bride should do if she has the opportunity to.

      Reply
  5. Erica @ Coming up Roses says

    August 23, 2017 at 1:38 am

    These are GREAT tips! A lot of things I wouldn’t have thought of. So cool that you were able to add a pair of earrings after your bridal portraits.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      August 23, 2017 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you, Erica! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post. Taking bridal portraits before hand was a great way to test-run my wedding day look at make any changes I wanted!

      Reply
  6. Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins says

    August 23, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    Some of my (and my husband’s) favorite pictures of me in my dress are from my bridals. I loved getting all dressed up and not feeling stressed out that we were going to run out of time. Like you said, it’s a good trial run and there were a few changes I made for the wedding day that I wouldn’t have known I wanted to make if I hadn’t done the bridals.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      August 23, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      Shani, I’m so glad to hear that we had such similar experiences! I think it’s definitely something all brides should do if they have the opportunity to! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

POPULAR POSTS

DIY Easter Keepsake Craft Ideas / A Hosting Home Blog

DIY Easter Keepsake Craft Ideas

April 2, 2021

How To Make a Design Board (for free!) / A Hosting Home Blog

How To Create a Design Board (for free!)

February 20, 2021

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper / A Hosting Home Blog

Using Rub n Buff to Update Antique Hardware

February 3, 2021

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper / A Hosting Home Blog

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper

January 24, 2021

DIY Salt Dough Keepsake Ornaments / A Hosting Home Blog

DIY Salt Dough Keepsake Ornaments

December 15, 2020


I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

•
•
•
•
•
#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
•
•
•
•
•
#interiordesign #interiordesignideas #interiorstyling #livingroomdecor #livingroom #traditionaldecor #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #traditionalhome #homedecor #homedesign #floralcurtains #livingroominspiration #livingroomideas #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousedecor #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhg
✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at ✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at the point of unpacking that I can start decorating a little bit! What do you think of the vibe in here so far? Hoping to get the kitchen cabinet hardware on this weekend! #ahostinghome 

p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

•
•
•
•
•
#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles
After all the rain, we finally got the wire backin After all the rain, we finally got the wire backing, our gates done, and the fence finished this week! 😍 We had a fencing company local to us do it, and they did an amazing job. We had a fence like this at our old house, and we loved how open it made our back yard feel while still keeping the dogs in. With the dogs, the fence was project priority No. 1 after we moved in — and I must say, I’m so glad I won’t have to embarrass myself chasing a puppy around the house with a toddler on my hip in my slippers anymore! 🤪 Are you team privacy fence or team 5 row fence? 🏡 #ahostinghome
•
•
•
•
•
#farmhousefence #blackfence #fiverowfence #5rowfence #blackfarmhousefence #farmfence #modernfarmhouseexterior #modernfarmhousebuild #farmhouseexterior #farmhousebuild #houseexterior #homeexterior #whiteandblackhouse #blackandwhitehouse #blackandwhitehome #homedecor #homedesign #georgiahomes #exteriordesign #exteriorpainting #exteriorpaint
It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black sh The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black shutters and a black door completely transformed the look of our house and made the exterior POP! 😍 We’re getting SO close, y’all. We’ve got just a little finish work left inside for them to wrap up, and we have our final walk through next week! #ahostinghome 

Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

CATEGORIES

 

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube