The Benefits of Separate Bridal Portraits

Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, ceremonies, and celebrations. Amidst the chaos and joy, one element often gets overlooked—the opportunity to capture timeless and stunning bridal portraits. While it's common to schedule these portraits on the same day as the ceremony, there's a growing trend that advocates for a separate day dedicated solely to capturing the beauty and essence of the bride. Let's delve into the reasons why this could be the perfect choice for you.

Unrushed Elegance:

On your wedding day, time is of the essence. There's a tight schedule, and the moments leading up to the ceremony can be filled with excitement and last-minute preparations. Opting for a separate day for your bridal portraits allows you to take your time, ensuring a relaxed and unrushed atmosphere. This means more time to perfect every detail, from your hair and makeup to the flow of your dress, resulting in elegant and breathtaking photos.

Venue Variety:

Your wedding ceremony and reception venue may have limitations on where you can take photos. Choosing a separate day for your bridal portraits opens up a world of venue possibilities. From lush gardens to historic landmarks, you have the flexibility to pick locations that complement your vision and style, creating a diverse and visually appealing collection of portraits.

There was predicted hurricane for September 17, 2023, the date of their scheduled outdoor elopement ceremony. The venue they chose, Portland Head Light, had already announced they would be closed that day due to the impending storm, so we knew we couldn't take portraits there anyway. Instead, they were going to have more of just a gathering at the Elks Lodge in Portland since many family and friends were traveling from afar to attend. They then decided to get married at City Hall officially on Thursday to get their marriage license. Eleanor called me Thursday morning to inform me of this, and since I was fortunately available Thursday afternoon, suggested that we do their bridal portraits that day (I had suggested I also photograph their ceremony but they just preferred portraits!). It was a gorgeous sunny day, so we met outside of City Hall to begin, and then ended at Eastern Promenade, one of their favorite places to walk, for photos.

Weather Worries:

Weather can be unpredictable, and a rainy or windy wedding day might limit your outdoor photo opportunities. By scheduling bridal portraits on a different day, you can choose a date with optimal weather conditions, ensuring that you get the dreamy outdoor shots you've always envisioned without worrying about unexpected weather challenges.

Intimate Focus:

Wedding days are often filled with family and friends, making it challenging to find moments for intimate, personal portraits. A separate day dedicated to bridal portraits allows you and your photographer to focus solely on capturing the essence of you as a bride, showcasing your individual beauty and style without distractions.

Eleanor and Gabe realized after the bridal portraits that they actually were glad that we were able to do the portraits on a separate day from their ceremony. It allowed them to really take their time with portraits, instead of rushing to get back to their friends and family. They got to enjoy the day together without worrying about anyone else, which made their portraits so much more intimate and genuine. They also didn't have to worry ruining their outfits when we were taking photos at the beach, since they were just going home after. It also allowed us to go to multiple locations because we weren't pressed for time. Eleanor and Gabe then were allowed to be fully present on the day of their ceremony instead of being whisked away for portraits. They still were able to get family portraits on the day of their ceremony, too!

Relaxed Photographer Creativity:

Photographers thrive when given the opportunity to unleash their creativity without time constraints. A separate day for bridal portraits allows your photographer to experiment with lighting, angles, and compositions, resulting in a stunning portfolio of images that truly reflect their artistic vision.

These photos were taken at City Hall in Portland, Maine and Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine

Opting for a separate day for your bridal portraits is not just a trend but a thoughtful choice that can enhance the overall wedding experience. Whether that’s a traditional wedding or city hall elopement. It provides you with the luxury of time, venue variety, weather considerations, intimate moments, and allows your photographer to showcase their creativity. Consider this option to ensure that your bridal portraits are nothing short of extraordinary, capturing the timeless elegance of your special day.

Contact me here to capture your special day!

Also follow along on IG at @janellelyfordphoto for behind the scenes!