When planning a wedding, all your options can get pretty overwhelming. Choosing the venue, finding the perfect caterer, and narrowing down your guest list are time consuming and, quite honestly, stressful. There is one small detail that tends to get lost in all the to-dos– finding the perfect getting room! Bare with me, I’ll try to make this as simple as possible explaining these 5 tips for picking the perfect location of your getting ready room.

An Important Over-Looked Element

One detail that is VERY important, but often overlooked, is the room in which you get ready for the ceremony. Being a photographer, I’ve seen how a cluttered storage room or poorly lit basement can really mess up the flow of an otherwise beautiful wedding gallery. A good deal of time is spent primping and prepping for your big day. That means lots of photos will be taken in that space! Consider these 5 simple tips to make the most of the room you’re getting ready in- you’ll thank me later!

5 Tips for Picking the Perfect Location

1) Lighting

Choose a space with LOTS of windows and natural light: A basement or conference room may have plenty of wide open space for you and your wedding party to get dressed, but chances are, they don’t have a great source of natural light. See if there is another option if you have only been offered a dimly lit room. This will also be a plus if you’re having your makeup done on site!

2) Avoid Classrooms

Avoid church classrooms or basements: Churches make a beautiful backdrop for ceremonies. The gorgeous architecture, the neatly lined pews, and the altar as a focal point all make for wonderful pictures.  However, additional space is often limited and may not be ideal for getting ready. Preschool scriptures are adorable, but not so much in the background of a toast among your bridesmaids.

3) Neutrals

Find a clean, neutral, or white space: It’s your big day and all eyes should be on YOU! A neutral space will ensure you stay the focus of the photos. White, minimalist, bare walls are even better! They’ll bounce the light off for the perfect, soft look.

4) Declutter

Get rid of the clutter: Whatever space you choose, make sure it’s clean and tidy. Too much stuff is distracting in photos and can be a total eyesore. Remove unsightly knick-knacks, toss any trash, Starbucks coffee cups and try to condense anything you don’t want photographed into a corner or closet out of sight. Make sure all purses, car keys, and other personal belongings are stashed away as well.

5) Think Outside of the Box

If there isn’t a suitable room to get ready at the venue, consider getting ready elsewhere if your schedule permits. The master suite of a relative’s house, a beautiful hotel room nearby, or even the comfort of your own home are all great options to consider. You may also look into renting a house on Air BnB for a night or two that has the perfect layout for beautiful photos. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box (or walls)!

I know there is a LOT to plan when it comes to preparing for your wedding, but don’t forget to put this small task on your list. Long after the music has died down, the food has settled, and you’ve finally found a suitable seating arrangement for Aunt Susan and her friends, your memories of that day will be forever commemorated in photos. You’ll be SO glad you took the time to find a beautiful space to get ready, and hopefully, these 5 simple tips will make it a breeze!

Follow these 5 Tips for Picking the Perfect Location for your getting ready room. So often this is a vital element of your big day that’s sadly overlooked!

Are you recently engaged? Congratulations! I would love to chat about your photography needs!