How/when to do Bridals??

Please don't get stressed about "bridals".

If you want some shots in your gown, just account for them the day of your wedding. My photographer took some pictures of just me in my gown after I was done getting ready. It's common and they know to do it.

Some people might do them separate, but I just didn't have the time or desire for that. It's not a big deal.

I'm having my make up trial the same day as my bridals. I don't think you need to look exactly the same, however, that's kind of the fun of bridals. I wouldn't ask your bridesmaid to drive the five hours just to do you make up but if your having a shower or bachelorette party you could do the photos the same weekend.

Thank yall!! That's a great idea about having her come down for a shower and getting it done then! If not, then I could always blow up one of our engagement photos and have that set up instead of a portrait of me in my dress

I'm taking my bridals in May. My hair and makeup will be done the way I want it for the wedding.

The only reason we're doings bridals is because we already had our engagement pictures done prior to hiring our photographer. An engagement session was included in our package, so we traded it for bridals. My photographer does bridals with the groom too. She suggests we pick a location that is completely different than the wedding day, choose different hair/makeup/accessories, and just have fun with it. She suggested doing ours after we get back from our honeymoon or for our first anniversary. Gives me an excuse to wear my dress again so I'm game lol

I had never even considered having a bridal photo shoot until my husband's dad offered and insisted... he's a mega hobbyist photographer with his own studio. I love that I have them! I did not display them at the wedding. Personally I think that's a bit strange! I mean.... people will see you there dressed up all beautiful, I don't really see the need for the portraits to be there. I wonder how this trend started.. lol

I wouldn't stress about it too much. you don't HAVE to do them. Your photographer will take lovely photos of you on the wedding day

I've never even heard of bridals... Why not just get some pictures day of with just the bride in her dress?

I've always never heard of these. A little confused. I guess when I've seen pictures of the bride I assumed they were taken pre-ceremony? Hmmm

I must have lived under a rock cause I also have never heard of this before. I don't understand the concept?? Not my thing but I guess it's fairly popular......

Im filing this under 'stuff i never knew anyone needed'. why not just take a few solo portraits the day of the wedding?

It's a southern tradition, I believe. Typically a photo from the bridals to displayed at the wedding, especially as the guest enter the reception and included in the newspaper announcement (if that shows the age of the tradition).

Wow I had no idea so many people have never heard of it! This definitely makes me feel better! I think I'm just getting caught up with things I "should do" (or what I'm reading/people are telling me). I'm really new to all this, so it's taking me a while to figure out its ok to do things because I want to do them, not because I "should". I'm thinking I'm just going to have one of our engagement photos blown up and set up at the reception instead. Thanks everyone for the help! )

I don't even know what this is?? Besides that "tradition" of them that some of you stated, what are they for? Just so you have pictures of yourself in your gown? Why not just take those pictures the day of your wedding? I am genuinely so confused right now

Personally, I'm doing them for fun. The wedding is about the couple, these photos and the time spent taking them are for me. This is also coming from a wedding with two brides, so there's none of the "it's the brides day" happening here.

What happens if it's raining on my wedding day? I would lose my chance to get these photos without paying again for hair and make up. It also frees up time on the wedding day for more pictures of us or to spent with my guest. For my anxious self, it's also a time to make sure my dress is just right. For example, that one spot of lace under the armpit might not bother you during the 30 minute alterations appointment, but after an hour of moving around the dress, it becomes apparent that it needs to be fixed.

Why wouldn't you take bridals (other than $$, it's included in our package). It's another time to get fancied up and wear the dress.

Almost a Mrs- This makes more sense to me now. Thanks for the clarification : ) How far before the wedding do you take them?

Our photographer said she started offering them because people are obviously very nervous/emotional on the big day. Sometimes the wedding images didn't come out the way brides imagined they would because they could see theor nerves or were crying/sweating etc. Whereas doing a session after the wedding, you're relaxed and happy from your honeymoon and more genuinely excited to BE married rather than nervous-excited to be GETTING married. I wasn't on board because like many of you I was like "won't I already have individual pictures of us?" until she explained and then I was like well I'm generally a hot mess/always crying so now I really like this option haha

I think that depends on each bride. I'm planning to take mine the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (Wedding is 12/16/16) but that's almost 90% because my photographer is teacher by day and will be off that day and the venue will be open. Most people opt to have their portraits taken at a different location than their wedding, but I just couldn't risk it raining and not getting pictures on the grounds at my venue.

Eta: I do believe they are taken fairly close to the wedding to make sure the dress has been altered but far enough from the wedding to get the print back.

We're doing a shoot that's called a bridal shoot in the package, but is actually a couples shoot. For that reason we're doing it in the days immediately following the wedding. If it weren't for the location (Disney parks pre-opening,) I definitely wouldn't bother, but we have the opportunity, so I figure we should definitely go for it! If you're wanting solo shots of you in your dress, it's easy to just have your photographer take those day-of, too.

I took mine the day before the wedding, and it was kinda a trial run of everything hair/makeup wise. It's definitely more of a Southern thing. It's expected for you to get them done down here. I loved mine, and it was nice to have a few hours for them, instead of just a few minutes on the day of.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't know what bridals are lol