The beginning of a wedding day matters more than it might seem. A calm and comfortable morning sets the tone for everything that follows — for you, the people around you, and for us as your photo and video team.


Over the years, we’ve noticed a few simple things that can make getting ready easier, more enjoyable, and much less rushed. So here are five of our recommendations.


Before we begin, though, one important note about timing.


We always try to stay flexible and adapt to the schedule of each wedding, but we usually begin coverage when hair and makeup are almost finished. So if our coverage starts at 1:00 PM, ideally the bride should be ready, or very close to ready, by around 1:00–1:30 PM.


Make sure your hair and makeup team knows when you need to be finished. A delay at this point can easily carry through the rest of the day, leaving less time for getting dressed, portraits, a first look, travelling to the ceremony — or simply enjoying those last moments without rushing.

1. EVERYTHING WITHIN REACH


Our work becomes much easier — and your time is used much better — when the important details are already together in one place.

It’s surprisingly common for the rings to be with a friend, the invitations with the groom, the perfume with a bridesmaid, while the bouquet is still on its way and someone needs to find the florist to ask where it is.


Of course, if necessary, we’ll help find and gather everything. But the time spent searching for these things could instead be spent photographing you and the people around you.


Before we arrive, try to collect the details you would like photographed in one place, or at least in the same room: rings, invitations and stationery, jewellery, perfume, shoes, accessories and any other meaningful pieces you would like us to capture.


The bouquet can join the collection whenever it decides to arrive. :)

2. GIVE THE ROOM SOME SPACE


Wedding mornings are busy, and we certainly don’t expect the room to look like nobody has been using it.


But where possible, try to keep the main area where you’ll be getting ready relatively clear. Suitcases, bags, everyday clothes, boxes and other things are best kept away from windows and from the areas that are likely to be used for photographs and film. A hallway, bathroom, wardrobe or simply a darker corner of the room can be perfect for this.


We usually discuss the getting-ready location with our couples beforehand, and sometimes a venue has only one dedicated space available. But if we haven’t had the opportunity to discuss it and you have several rooms to choose from, choose the one with the best natural light.


A simple room with large windows will often work much better than a beautiful room with very little daylight. Ceiling lights are not a substitute for natural light — in fact, we’ll often ask to switch them off while we’re filming and photographing.


Leaving a little clear space near a good window can make a surprisingly big difference.

3. DON’T FORGET YOURSELF


Hair and makeup can easily take three hours or more, and with everything happening around you, it’s surprisingly easy to forget something very basic: food.


Try to plan some kind of breakfast or light meal during the morning. If the venue or hotel can arrange a proper breakfast, even better. Otherwise, having some snacks, fruit or something easy to eat while getting ready is already a good idea.


A wedding day is long, and you’ll definitely want some energy left for the ceremony — and especially for the party later.


And if you’re getting ready with your bridesmaids, groomsmen or friends, a bottle of champagne and a few glasses can be a great addition. It gives everyone a reason to stop for a moment, come together, make a toast and enjoy the beginning of the celebration.


It also happens to create some pretty good photographs. :)

4. A LITTLE PREPARATION GOES A LONG WAY


This one may sound obvious, but it’s worth mentioning: check the dress, veil and suits before the wedding morning.


After travelling — especially if everything has spent hours inside garment bags or suitcases — dresses, veils, bridesmaids’ dresses, shirts and suits often need steaming.


Creases may not look particularly noticeable when you see the fabric indoors or in the shade, but they can become much more visible next to a window or in direct sunlight.


Some things can be corrected later in individual photographs, but doing this consistently across hundreds of images isn’t always realistic. And with video, removing creases from moving fabric is practically impossible.


So check everything beforehand and, if necessary, allow an extra 15–20 minutes for steaming. If you’re staying at a hotel or venue, it’s also worth asking in advance whether they can provide a steamer or arrange this for you.


A few minutes beforehand can save a lot of unnecessary frustration later.

5. LET SOMEONE ELSE HANDLE THE LITTLE THINGS


And finally, probably the most important thing to remember: your wedding is a celebration.


Something small will almost certainly not go exactly according to plan. The flowers might arrive late. Someone may not know where they’re supposed to be. A driver might call with a question. A button might suddenly need fixing.


Try not to make yourself the person responsible for solving every little problem.


Before the wedding, choose someone you trust — your wedding planner, coordinator, bridesmaid, best man, friend or family member — who can deal with these things on your behalf.


The fewer logistical decisions you have to make while getting ready, the more you can simply be present with the people around you and enjoy the beginning of the day.


And that is much more important than everything going exactly according to schedule.

ONE LAST THING


Everything above is advice, not a list of rules for how a wedding morning should look.


You don’t need matching robes because you’ve seen them on Instagram. You don’t need champagne if you don’t drink it. And you certainly don’t need to create moments just because you think they would look good in photographs.


Spend the morning in a way that feels natural to you and with the people you actually want around you.


These are simply a few things we’ve learned from being part of many wedding mornings — small preparations that can make the experience calmer and allow us to interfere less and document more of what is genuinely happening.


The rest is your day.


Always in touch,

Olga & Alex | Novella Wedding