How to Have The Most Amazing Wedding morning!

December 1, 2023

A beautiful brids has her make-up applied during morning preparations at Iscoyd Park. Image captured by North Wlaes based wedding photographer Helena Jayne Photography.

A beautiful bride and her bridesmaids wearing matching dressing gowns pose together for a selfie during the morning preparations. Image captured at Willington Hall Hotel by Helena Jayne Photography a north Wales based photographer

The morning of the wedding. My top tips to couples.

You’ve been planning your wedding day for months and now it’s FINALLY arrived!! Morning preparation is one of my favourite parts of the day to photograph. It is such a special time to have all your closest friends together to support you on your wedding day. I love the excitement of this part of the day. First and foremost, I always arrive nice and early to capture every single moment and to take photographs of all of the minute details. The morning of the wedding is a whirlwind of excitement and nerves.

A bride and her bridesmaid embrace smiling on the morning of the wedding. Image captured by Helena Jayne Photography by north Wales based photographer Helena Jayne Photography

If your budget allows invest in professional and hair and make-up services.

Professional makeup artists and hairstylists have extensive experience working with various skin types, tones, and hair textures. They understand how to accentuate your best features while ensuring your makeup and hairstyle complement your wedding theme, dress, and personal style. I can recommend some fantastic MUAs and hairdressers. Drop me a quick message if you’re looking for one. Michelle who owns the Bridal Lab is absolutely incredible and she will make you look and feel like a queen on the day. Her website is https://www.thebridallab.com. Michelle is just lovely and I really admire her work.

A beautiful bride has her make-up applied at Iscoyd Park, a stunning wedding venue outside Wrexham in North Wales. Image captured by Helena Jayne Photography

A smiling bride enjoying the morning of her wedding. Image captured by Helena Jayne Photography, a north Wales based wedding photographer

On your wedding day, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your makeup will smudge or your hair will lose its shape. Hiring professionals allows you to relax and enjoy the moments leading up to your ceremony without the stress of trying to achieve a perfect look on your own. Moreover, professional-grade products and techniques are designed to withstand the demands of a wedding day. Your makeup and hairstyle will be carefully applied to ensure you look flawless from the moment you walk down the aisle to the last dance of the evening.

Wedding photography is all about capturing the essence of your special day in timeless images. Professional makeup and hairstyling enhance your natural beauty and ensure you look your absolute best in photographs. Well-applied makeup and a carefully styled hairdo can make a significant difference in how you appear on camera, ensuring you shine in every shot.

A bride smiles at her bridesmaids as she has portraits taken on the morning of her wedding at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa

Gather Your Wedding Details in one place before I arrive.

Before the hustle and bustle begins, gather all your wedding details together. This includes your earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and any sentimental items like something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. These details are the first things I photograph and add depth to your wedding story. Try to bring a spare wedding invitation with you too. I love to include a photograph of it for your wedding album.

A bride's wedding gown hangs against rustic barn doors showing the lace detail.

A bride's diamanté wedding dress belt rests on the box surrounded by ribbon.

A bottle of Golden Dust perfume. An image taken as part of wedding details at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa

A close up shot of the beeded detail of a bride's wedding shoe

A beautiful engagement ring resting on a wedding invitation.

If you’re able to, invest in a nice wooden hanger to showcase your wedding dress and your bridesmaids dresses. This small detail ensures that your attire is beautifully displayed in your photographs.

Another thing to consider buying is matching dressing gowns for you and your bridesmaids. They really do they make for adorable pre-wedding photos.

A beautiful wedding dress hanging against the rustic doors of a barn conversion

Showing two shots of a bride's beautiful wedding dress. Image captured by North Wales based wedding photographer Helena Jayne Photography

Have a little tidy up!

I know that I can trash a hotel room within 120 seconds but try to have a little tidy-up before I arrive. A clutter-free environment makes for better photographs.

Wait for me to arrive before gifts are opened

On the morning of the wedding, it’s traditional for the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen to receive gifts. If this is going to happen, please wait until I’m there to photograph the reactions. It’s little moments like this that just can’t be recreated.

Three smiling bridesmaids opening gifts from the bride during the wedding morning. Image captured by north Wales based wedding photographer Helena Jayne Photography

Get Ready in Your Dress early!

Around forty minutes before the ceremony, get into your wedding dress. This allows time for those finishing touches and gives me the opportunity to capture candid moments of you and your bridesmaids as you prepare for the big moment. You’ll also feel more relaxed and you’ll get some lovely photographs in the room before you leave to get married!

The back of bride's beautiful wedding gown as she gets dressed on the morning of her wedding. Image captured by North Wales based wedding photographer Helena Jayne Photography

A bride's mother fastens the buttons with a crochet stick on her daughter's wedding dress on the morning of her wedding. Image captured at Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa in Chester by Cheshire based wedding photographer Helena Jayne Photography

A beautiful bride strikes poses in her wedding dress during the morning preparations of her wedding day at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa. Image captured by Cheshire wedding photographer Helena Jayne Photography

A bride, her daughter and her mother pose for a photograph in the beautiful bridal suite at Iscoyd Park on the morning of her wedding. Image captured by Welsh wedding Photographer Helena Jayne Photography.

A beautfiul bride and her daughter pose for a wedding portrait in the beautiful dressing room at Iscoyd Park on the morning of her wedding. Image captured by Helena Jayne Photography

Plan a Reveal Shot

Consider having a reveal shot with the person who will be giving you away. It is such a poignant and emotional moment and capturing candid shots of this is just beautiful. If this is something that you would like to include I’ll discuss with you beforehand how we will capture the moment perfectly.

An emotional father of the bride looks at his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress. Bridesmaids are standing in the background smiling. Image captured at The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa by Helena Jayne photography a wedding photographer

A very proud father of the bride kisses his daughter on the cheek after he has seen her for the first time. The bride is smiling widely. Image captured by Helena Jayne Photography a north Wales based wedding photographer

Turn on your favourite playlist and savour every moment. After months of meticulous planning, the hard work is behind you. The most important thing on your wedding day is to have fun! Embrace the pampering and anticipate the most extraordinary day of your life. Take a deep breath and let the morning unfold naturally. I thrive on capturing candid, authentic moments – they’re truly the most special. There’s no need for staged poses; your wedding day is all about you, and my aim is to photograph all of the genuine moments. So, relax and have the time of your life!