Choosing a getting ready location for your wedding day could be the next most important decision you make after choosing your venue! Where you get ready is where all your detail photos are going to take place, where you will be putting on your dress (or suit), and where you will get your first portraits done as a bride or groom so it is SO IMPORTANT to do your homework and select this location with care because it sets the tone for the rest of the day.
But what are you supposed to look for when choosing a getting ready location for your wedding day?
I got you. Here are some tips for finding that perfect location!
Tip #1- Where to look? Venue vs. Hotel vs. Airbnb?
Many venues have gorgeous bridal suites to get ready in, but for those that have you getting ready in a dark, windowless room, there are other options out there! Hotels can sometimes be a good alternative if you book something really expensive, but even then your photos will most likely still look like they were shot in a hotel room (you know.. with that weird hotel carpet and the crazy colors and patterns). My advice would be to book an Airbnb or corporate rentals. You can have a whole house or apartment to yourself that way – more control over the amount of space and style of the decor, and you can probably find one super close to your venue! So many advantages with Airbnb’s and corporate rentals! I got married at one of the amazing wedding venues denver and luckily, it had a hotel on site. This is super handy for getting ready in the morning but an Airbnb is equally as great!
Tip #2- Lots of Natural Light
This means lots of WINDOWS so that the natural light can shine through. This is probably the most important thing you should be looking for in any getting ready location! Natural light gives a beautiful and flawless glow to anyone in the room so make sure to pick a location with big windows. Natural light is also really important for shooting your bridal details such as rings, invitation suite, shoes, etc. All your photos depend on lots of natural light so take this tip to heart during your location search.
Tip #3- Clean and Open Space
Clean doesn’t necessarily mean free of dirt and dust (although this is also important). Clean means free of clutter, crazy patterned furniture, or strange knick-knacks. These are all things that will inevitably end up in your photos if you aren’t paying attention so make sure the space is clean as well as open so that you have room to get your dress on and move around. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve taken furniture out of rooms on wedding days so that we would have space to put on the dress, or photography time I’ve wasted cleaning a room of clutter. Keep this in mind when booking a space.
Tip #4- Character + Style
When looking for a getting ready location for your wedding day, really think about what style of wedding you are going to be having and find a location that has the same style! For example, if you are getting married on the beach, consider renting a beach house with accents of blue and beach decor to tie in with your theme. If you are getting married at an old estate, consider booking a cottage with character in the architecture and vintage furniture inside. Added bonus if the Airbnb you are looking at has a giant mirror which is ALWAYS a good idea for when the bride puts on her dress ;)
To summarize, don’t feel like you have to fall subject to getting ready in an oddly decorated hotel because your venue doesn’t offer a great option for a bridal suite. Book an Airbnb with lots of windows, that’s clean of clutter, has a big and open space for getting dressed, and ties in to the style of your wedding. If you keep these tips on your mind when location scouting for that perfect getting ready spot, your photographer will love you and your wedding photos will turn out amazing, cross my heart!