Bridals. Formals. First look session.”FIRST LOOK”, FORMALS

The names have changed a bit over the years, but the idea is still the same: a separate photo session in your wedding attire before, on, or even after your wedding day.

And I know what you might be thinking…

Why would we do bridals when we’re already taking photos in our wedding attire on the wedding day?

Such a fair question.

The biggest reason is this: bridals give you the chance to get those dreamy, frame-worthy photos of just the two of you without the time pressure of a wedding day timeline.

Wedding days move fast. Even with a well-planned schedule, portraits can feel rushed. A bridal session gives you room to breathe, be present, and create something really beautiful together.

It’s also the perfect excuse to go somewhere extra meaningful or extra stunning, especially if it would be too far away or too much to fit into the wedding day itself.

And honestly? You will never regret going a little out of your way for photos in a place you absolutely love.

Why Bridals Are So Worth It

One of the best parts about bridals is that they take some of the pressure off your wedding day.

You already know you have beautiful photos of the two of you in your wedding attire, which means you’re not relying on everything going perfectly that day. If the timeline gets tight, the weather shifts, or lighting isn’t ideal, you can rest easier knowing you’ve already created something amazing.

Bridals are also a great chance to do a full test run of your look.

You get to see how your hair, makeup, dress, shoes, and accessories all come together on camera before the wedding day. Some brides use that as a way to confirm they love everything. Others use it to tweak a few things before the big day.

A lot of couples also choose to do bridals a few weeks before the wedding so they can print and display photos at the reception.

If You Want to Save the “First Look” for Bridals

If you want your groom to see you for the first time during the session itself, there are a couple of easy ways to make that happen.

Option 1: Ride together, but don’t get dressed until you arrive

This is usually the easiest option if you’re traveling a little farther for your session.

You can both ride to the location together, as long as you’re not already in your dress. Once we get there, I’ll get him into position where he can’t see you, and then you can change into your dress.

If you go this route, wear something easy to change out of without messing up your hair and makeup — something like:

• a robe
• a button-up top
• sweats
• anything loose and simple

And don’t stress about needing help getting into your dress. I’ve got you. I can help with just about anything at this point.

Option 2: Ride separately

If you want to fully keep the surprise, you can always arrive separately.

A lot of brides will bring their mom, sister, best friend, or roommate to help with the dress and details. That’s completely fine, as long as they’re someone who helps you feel calm, confident, and supported.

The only rule? Good energy only 🙂

Bridals are meant to feel fun, beautiful, and relaxed. The best tag-alongs are the ones who help you enjoy it, not the ones who over-direct every moment.

And if you’d rather keep it simple, I’m always happy to help however I can.

My Best Bridal Prep Tips

Get your hair and makeup done professionally

I almost always recommend this for bridals.

Photos tend to need just a little more makeup than everyday life, especially when it comes to the eyes and cheeks. Having your hair and makeup done professionally not only photographs beautifully, but it also gives you a solid trial run before your wedding day.

If you need recommendations, I’m always happy to send over some of my favorite artists.

Be careful with tanning

If you’re planning to tan before your session, do it at least 3–5 days beforehand and make sure it’s completely settled and washed off before photos. Skin tones can photograph differently than they look in person, so this is one of those things where less is usually more.

Plan for the outdoors

A lot of bridals happen outside, so it’s worth thinking ahead a little.

If you’re prone to allergies, taking a non-drowsy allergy medicine beforehand can be a lifesaver. Same goes for bug spray, depending on the location and season.

A tiny bit of prep here can make a huge difference in how comfortable you feel during the session.

Wear practical shoes

In most dresses, your shoes won’t be very visible.

So if we’re heading somewhere with uneven ground, dirt, snow, rocks, or a bit of walking, I definitely recommend bringing comfortable shoes. Warm shoes in winter, walking shoes in summer, whatever helps you move comfortably and safely.

You can always bring your actual wedding shoes too, but comfort matters way more than most people think during bridals.

Don’t panic about the dress getting dirty

This is one of the biggest concerns brides have, and I get it.

The truth is: if we’re shooting outdoors, especially in dirt, gravel, mountains, or red rock, your dress probably will get a little dirty around the bottom. That’s normal.

Most of the time, it’s far less noticeable than people expect, and almost no one regrets it afterward.

In fact, nearly every bride will tell you the photos were absolutely worth a little dirt on the hem.

And depending on where you bought your dress, your bridal shop may even offer a cleaning before the wedding, definitely worth asking.

How Far in Advance Should You Schedule Bridals?

If you want your images back before the wedding, I usually recommend scheduling bridals about 2–4 weeks before your wedding day.

That gives enough time for:

• your dress to be ready
• hair and makeup trials
• editing and delivery
• printing photos if you want them displayed at the reception

That said, I know real life doesn’t always line up perfectly.

Sometimes there are travel limitations, dress rental restrictions, or tight wedding timelines. I’ve done bridals the week before and even the week of the wedding. It can absolutely still work, you may just receive a smaller preview gallery before the big day if the turnaround is extra tight.

Where Should You Do Your Bridal Session?

Wherever feels most like you.

That can mean a place that’s scenic, meaningful, adventurous, elegant, or all of the above.

Maybe it’s somewhere close to home. Maybe it’s a location you’ve always dreamed about. Maybe it’s a mountain view, a field, the desert, or somewhere that means something to the two of you. Your bridal session is one of the few times we can choose a location based entirely on the experience and the photos — not just logistics.

If you need help deciding, I’m always happy to send location ideas.

What Time of Day Is Best for Bridals?

If we’re shooting outdoors, the best light is usually within the first couple hours after sunrise or the last couple hours before sunset. That’s when the light is softer and most flattering.

If it’s cloudy, that can also be amazing.

And if we’re shooting indoors, it’s a little different — bright natural window light during the day is usually what we want most.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the fence about bridals, I’ll say this:

They are almost always worth it.

They give you time to slow down, soak it in, and create the kind of images that often end up being your favorites. They take pressure off the wedding day, let you be more intentional, and give you space to actually enjoy this part of the experience.

A little dirt, a little extra planning, a little drive to a beautiful location? Worth it.

Every time.

If you’re dreaming about bridals and want help choosing the right location, timing, or overall vibe, I’d love to help you plan something that feels true to you.