There are so many reasons why I recommend every bride to have a bridal portrait session. It is advantageous for both you and me (the photographer). So where do I begin. First lets look at some things that might not have come to mind.
See Yourself First - A sorta sneak peek
Bridal Portrait sessions are a great way to see a sneak peek of how you will look on your wedding day. You have put so much time into your decisions of your wedding dress, hair style, jewelry, make-up (choosing a makeup artist), but do you know how it will all look together. Bridal sessions are a great way to see how you are going to look when all the details that you have been hard a planning all come together. I have had brides make some changes after they had seen their pictures in make-up, hair, and even some accessories. In some ways it is fine-tuning the moment of your big entrance where everyone will stand and watch you walk down the isle. While this is not one of my top reasons, it is certainly one that not too many people think about for having a bridal session.
Time- It’s on our side
Any wedding photographer will tell you that your wedding day will fly by fast and there is a lot of unpredictability in the schedule. There are times where I might get two or three minutes to photograph the bride alone on her wedding day due to the reality of a schedule. This may seem crazy, but it often is more the norm than not. This also can limit the type and style of pictures of the bride alone.
Also, getting ready for your bridal session will give you a good idea of how long it will take you to get ready. From my viewpoint of time, the biggest perk is we get to choose the time for the bridal session. Meaning, we have more creative control over the type of light we will shoot in, whereas on your wedding day there is less control as your wedding is a live event that is on a timeline. Depending on the style you are looking for we can photograph in the day with lots of bright natural light, or photograph in the golden hour, that is sunset and twilight photography, or even photograph in the evening or night for a very unique look for you bridal portfolio.
Bridal Sessions are not your wedding day.
The other great thing about doing a bridal session is that it is not your wedding day. What I mean by this is that there are a hundred things happening on your wedding that can keep many brides a bit preoccupied making it a bit more of a challenge to be thinking about relaxing for portraits. While this certainly can be done on the wedding day, I find that most people are pretty anxious, excited, and thinking about “TIME” and about the events that are about to unfold. Having a bridal Portrait session outside the wedding day makes for a fun and relaxed process. No schedule, no time constraints, No rush rush rush.
Getting to know you, your likes and your style.
This is a win/win for both bride and photographer. This allows you to better know me and how I work. Break the ice in some ways so there is a level of comfort you gain to be in front of the camera. Bridal session also help me learn your personality and style. This naturally carries over into the wedding day. I also get direct feedback from you about photography styles and picture styles prior to the wedding. I get to know what you like and even on occasion the what you do not like about certain poses, angles and expressions of yourself. I get to learn your favorite looks, poses, and expressions going into your wedding day.
Location, Location, Location.
The great thing about bridal portraits is that we can choose any location we want. This makes it great for getting different looks/themes, and styles into your bridal portfolio. We do not have to photograph at your wedding venue. We can choose something totally different and even do a themed bridal session with some props or a even a stylized shoot where there is set design. It really is limitless of what we can do.
We have you and your dress covered.
The best thing about bridal sessions are that we have you and your dress covered before the wedding day. There are no worries if the schedule gets a little behind and in many aspects it opens up the photography schedule because we often do not have to photograph you alone again on the wedding day as we already created an awesome bridal portfolio.
My number one reason…
it really incorporates all of the above but for me it is that I get to take my time to create some awesome bridal pictures by using my creativity without the constraint of a wedding day schedule. This make Brides relaxed as we have only on thing going on and that is having some fun making beautiful bridal photography of you. It also allows me to be creative by using light and different lighting techniques. Bridal session allow me to take my time and see things unfold, giving me some latitude to let creativity take its own course with you looking amazing in your wedding dress.
While Bridal sessions may not be everyone or even mandatory to get great pictures of you in your wedding dress, it does allow for fun process that is relaxed, not rushed, and makes for a creative opportunity to photograph you in probably the most iconic part of any wedding… your wedding dress. Bridal photography are my favorites sessions to photograph for sure.
Are you looking for your wedding venue in Wilmington or Eastern NC? I often get asked from brides planning their destination weddings about wedding venues in our area. So I started putting together a list of some popular wedding venues and great places for wedding and engagement photography. This is also a great way to see some of my photography of real weddings in some of Wilmington’s popular wedding venues. These are just a few and this list will grow over time so feel free to check back often or even share the page as wedding ideas on your facebook or Pinterest page.
Airlie Gardens Weddings for an amazing garden setting. See our Airlie Gardens Wedding Photography
Bald Head Island Weddings is a special place and experience for any wedding. See our Bald Head Island Wedding Photographer images
River Landing Weddings is one of the most amazing clubhouse facilities I have been in. Visit our River Landing Wedding Photographer images to see this incredible wedding venue.
St. Thomas Preservation Hall may be the perfect place for your wedding and reception in the Downtown Wilmington area. Check out our St. Thomas Preservation Hall Photographers images to see the wedding venue.
Fort Fisher is about as unique a backdrop there is for coastal North Carolina. Perfect for both wedding and engagement photography. See our Fort Fisher Wedding & Engagement photographers images to get an idea of this beautiful area of Eastern North Carolina.
The Southport Community Center puts you in the heart of Southport if you are looking for a venue in the area. With scenic backdrops of the Inter coastal waterway the Southport Community Building has rich history and host to some popular movies.
Brooklyn Arts Center is a premier Wedding and Reception venue located in the Downtown Wilmington Area. View our Brooklyn Arts Center Wedding Photographers images and see why this is one of the more popular wedding venues.
Bellamy Mansion is a “Southern Classic” wedding and reception venue. Located in the Downtown Wilmington area this Mansion can do it all. View our Bellamy Mansion Wedding Photographers images and see why this Mansion might be the perfect place for your wedding.
128 South is another popular wedding and reception venue Wedding and Reception venue located in the Downtown Wilmington Area. View our 128 South Wedding Photographers images to see this staple Wilmington venue.
The City Club is another Downtown Wilmington Wedding and Reception venue that can offer several accommodations from a bridal party getting ready lounge to smaller weddings and receptions. View our City Club Wedding Photographers images to see this one of a kind venue.
Poplar Grove Plantation is becoming a classic outdoor wedding and reception venue. View our Poplar Grove Plantation Wedding Photographers images and see why this wedding venue is no longer a secret.
The Country Club of Landfall is another great clubhouse wedding and reception venue. Located in the gated community of Landfall, this wedding venue can host both your wedding and reception. View our Country Club of Landfall Wedding Photographers images to see this exquisite country club.
Wrightsville Beach offers a wide range of wedding options from the beach to hotel accommodations. Wrightsville Beach is also located close to Wilmington for easy travel to any other reception venue including Downtown Wilmington.
Topsail Island has a personality all its own. From hotel accommodations to private beach house weddings, Topsail Island is a laid back beach island sure to entertain any beach wedding.
For something really unique, check out the Battleship NC might be that special place to have either for both your wedding and reception. With incredible views of the Cape Fear River and Historic Downtown Wilmington as part of your wedding day back drop.
The Shell Island Resort is a popular destination wedding location in Wrightsville Beach. Capable of accommodating both wedding and receptions and makes for a great all inclusive beach wedding venue.
The Arboretum is a very popular place for bridal photography and is a perfect setting if you are looking to have a quaint outdoor garden setting.
The Wilmington Hilton Riverside is perfectly located in Downtown Wilmington on the River Front. A very popular place for both wedding and reception. It has all the the facilities to be an all inclusive wedding venue and host to any of your out of town wedding guests.
Porters Neck Country Club is another great wedding venue if you are looking for a Country Club setting. A great facility for both wedding and reception options.
The Lebanon Chapel is nestled in the heart of Airlie Gardens. If you are looking for classic and rustic wedding chapel be sure to give the Lebanon Chapel a look.
Brunswick Town - Fort Anderson in Winnabow NC, is a great outdoor wedding and reception option. The historic burned down church on the grounds makes for a unique open air wedding ceremony. The landscape with the oak trees and view of the Cape Fear River make this possibly a perfect option for you wedding.
The Shoals Club on Bald Head Island is a classic east coast beach club. With elevated view of the Atlantic Ocean and a fort class club this makes for a incredible destination wedding venue.
The River Room in Downtown Wilmington North Carolina sits along the Cape Fear River. Capable of providing an outside wedding on the river deck and hosting your reception inside the River Room make this wedding venue a downtown gem.
Wrightsville Manor in Wilmington North Carolina is just minutes from Wrightsville Beach. Wrightsville Manor is capable of providing an outside wedding with Southern charm and hosting your reception inside the Wrightsville Manor. The grounds provide a lush and private feel and the inside is both beautiful for both a wedding and or reception.
Bluewater grill in Wrightsville Beach North Carolina is located on the intercostal waterway. Bluewater Grill is capable of providing space for both weddings and wedding receptions. One of the highlights of Bluewater Grill is the amazing views of the marina and intercostal waterway. It provides one of the best sunset opportunities over the intercostal waterway.
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