A bridal portrait session is more than just a Southern tradition, it’s an essential step in ensuring a stress-free and confident wedding day. Whether you’re tying the knot in Charleston or planning a destination wedding, setting aside time for a dedicated bridal session can make a world of difference.
Think of it as a dress rehearsal with lasting memories. From testing your makeup and dress to getting comfortable in front of the camera, a bridal portrait session gives you the time to perfect your bridal look before the big day.
What is a Bridal Portrait Session?
A bridal portrait session is a professional photoshoot focusing solely on the bride before the wedding day. Unlike wedding day portraits, which are often squeezed into a busy timeline, bridal sessions allow for a relaxed atmosphere where the bride can experiment with poses, lighting, and different settings.
Traditionally popular in the South, these sessions have gained popularity nationwide for their ability to produce timeless, magazine-worthy images while giving brides peace of mind before their wedding.
The Benefits of a Bridal Portrait Session
Hair & Makeup Trial Run
Your wedding day look should be flawless, and a bridal portrait session is the ultimate beauty test. Seeing how your hair and makeup translate in photos allows you to make necessary adjustments, ensuring you look radiant and confident on your wedding day.
Many brides are surprised at how certain makeup choices appear in final images. A bridal session helps you decide whether you need to adjust your foundation, experiment with different lipstick shades, or tweak your hairstyle.
Dress Fit & Comfort Trial
Your wedding gown is one of the most important elements of your big day, and a bridal session allows you to test its fit, comfort, and movement. Practicing in your dress helps you move gracefully on your wedding day without last-minute surprises.
From walking and sitting to striking elegant poses, this session helps ensure that your dress looks stunning from every angle. If any alterations are needed, you’ll have time to make adjustments before the wedding.
The Perfect Bouquet
Your bouquet is a key part of your bridal aesthetic, and a bridal session is the perfect opportunity to see how it complements your dress and overall look.
Many florists can provide a sample bouquet or a similar arrangement to give you a preview. Holding and positioning the bouquet in different ways also allows you to practice what feels most natural for wedding portraits.
Beautiful Portraits with Less Stress
Wedding day timelines can be incredibly tight, leaving little room for relaxed, editorial-style portraits. A bridal session gives you the extra time to capture dreamy, artistic images without the rush.
By scheduling your portraits separately, you can focus on enjoying the wedding day rather than feeling pressured to fit everything into a tight schedule. Plus, you’ll have a variety of stunning images beyond the candid moments captured on your big day.
Confidence Booster in Front of the Camera
Even the most photogenic brides can feel a little nervous when all eyes are on them. A bridal session provides the perfect opportunity to get comfortable with posing, angles, and facial expressions.
Your photographer will guide you through different poses, helping you discover what works best for you. By the time your wedding day arrives, you’ll feel like a natural in front of the camera, resulting in more genuine, effortless photos.
Considering Outdoor Bridal Portraits? Read This First!
Even with the utmost care taken during an outdoor bridal session, your wedding dress is likely to pick up dirt, grass stains, dust, or even minor debris from the environment. Whether you’re walking through a beautiful field, standing on cobblestone streets, or posing in front of a moss-draped oak tree, your gown will inevitably come into contact with nature.
Dress Cleaning
An outdoor bridal session often equates to a professional dress cleaning before the wedding. To avoid surprise, here’s what brides should know:
- Standard wedding dress cleaning costs average $500
- For intricate beading, lace, or delicate fabric, cleaning costs can exceed $600
- Rush cleaning (if you have limited time before the wedding) can be an additional $100+ surcharge
If your dress is particularly delicate or has a long train, you may even need spot-cleaning or hand-washing treatments, which add to the final cost. Suddenly, your outdoor bridal portraits have an associated price tag.
Are You Really Saving Money?
One of the main reasons brides choose outdoor bridal portraits is the assumption that it will save money compared to renting a wedding venue. However, once you factor in the cost of cleaning your wedding dress post-session, you may find that renting your venue or another location for a few hours makes more financial sense.
Most wedding venues allow bridal portrait sessions, and the rental rates typically range from $400-$600 for a few hours of access.
Why Renting a Venue May Be the Smarter Choice
- Avoids expensive wedding dress cleaning costs (potentially saving $500 or more)
- Provides a controlled environment without dirt, unpredictable weather, or unwanted stains
- Gives you access to elegant architecture, staircases, and ballrooms that complement your bridal look
- Matches your wedding aesthetic, making the final portraits look cohesive with your actual wedding day
By renting a venue, you’re essentially reallocating money you would have spent on cleaning toward a stress-free, weather-proof setting. If you’re torn between an outdoor session and a venue rental, remember that the costs are comparable.
Scheduling Your Bridal Portraits: Plan for a Weekday & Coordinate All Vendors
Bridal portraits are a key part of your wedding preparation, but scheduling them requires careful coordination… not just with your photographer, but with all your wedding vendors. Your bridal session isn’t just about showing up in your dress; it also means scheduling your hair and makeup artist, florist, photographer, and venue on the same day.
Since all of these professionals are primarily booked for weddings on weekends, your session will need to be scheduled Monday through Thursday. To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, you may need to take a day off from work and plan ahead.
Weekdays Are Best for Availability
Most wedding photographers are fully booked on weekends with actual weddings, meaning their availability for bridal portraits (or engagement sessions) is typically limited to Monday through Thursday. Brides should plan accordingly and book early to secure a date that aligns with their photographer’s schedule.
Additionally, hair and makeup artists will need to be available on the same day to ensure your bridal look is flawless for your portraits. As with all wedding vendors, most beauty professionals have limited weekend openings, so coordinating their weekday schedule with your photographer is essential.
Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Florist
A bridal session is the perfect time to preview how your bouquet complements your gown. If you’re planning to have a fresh floral bouquet for your session, your florist will need to create a mock bouquet or a smaller version of your wedding flowers. Just like photographers and venues, florists prioritize wedding orders on weekends, so your bouquet pickup will also need to be scheduled during the week.
Weekend Venue Availability is Limited
If you’re considering a wedding venue for your bridal session, keep in mind that venues prioritize weekend bookings for weddings and events. This means that:
- Weekend availability is rare and often comes at a premium price.
- Weekday sessions offer more flexibility and may come at a lower rental rate.
- Venues require reservations far in advance, just like weddings do.
Many venues offer discounted rates for weekday bookings, making it a practical choice both financially and logistically.
Plan Ahead & Take Time Off Work
With all of these factors in mind, scheduling a weekday bridal portrait session isn’t just about finding a day your photographer is available, it’s about coordinating multiple vendors at once.
To avoid last-minute stress:
- Choose a weekday that works for all of your vendors.
- Make sure your venue and photographer’s schedule align
- Schedule hair, makeup, and floral pickup prior to same-day bridal portraits
- Plan to take time off work if needed to ensure a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
By planning ahead and giving yourself ample time, you’ll set yourself up for a stress-free, beautifully coordinated bridal portrait session that feels just as magical as your upcoming wedding day.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Do for Every Bride
Bridal portraits are more than just beautiful photos, they’re an essential part of preparing for your wedding day. From giving you the opportunity to perfect your bridal look to helping you feel more confident in front of the camera, a bridal session allows you to step into your wedding day with ease, grace, and excitement.
Beyond the practical benefits, these portraits become a timeless keepsake. Unlike wedding day photos, which capture the emotion and energy of the moment, bridal portraits focus solely on you – the bride. They showcase the details of your dress, the delicate accents of your veil, and the beautiful details of your jewelry. Whether displayed at your reception, framed in your home, or passed down through generations, bridal portraits tell a story of beauty, love, and the journey toward one of the most special days of your life.
If you’re planning your dream wedding in Charleston or at a stunning destination location, don’t overlook this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A relaxed, carefully planned bridal portrait session will give you peace of mind, stunning photographs, and an unforgettable experience leading up to your big day.
If you’re a wedding planner or couple who would like to work with Alisha Cory Photography, please inquire below:
Bridal portrait vendor credits include: Venue: The Gadsden House | Photography: Alisha Cory Photography | Bridal Gown: Gown Boutique of Charleston | Hair & Make Up: Galya Makeup Artisty | Jewelry: Diamonds Direct | Florals: Something Borrowed Blooms
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