Why You Should Do a Bridal Session (Even If You Weren't Planning To)
If you’re engaged and planning your wedding, you’ve probably heard the term “bridal session” thrown around, maybe by your photographer, maybe by a friend who did one and won’t stop talking about it. And if you’re wondering whether it’s really worth adding to your wedding to-do list, I get it. But after 18 years of photographing brides, I can tell you this: it’s one of the things brides are most grateful they did, every single time.
Here’s why a bridal session deserves a spot on your wedding planning list.
Your Wedding Day Weather Is Out of Your Hands
You only get one wedding day, and there’s no predicting what the weather will do. A bridal session gives you the flexibility to capture beautiful, unhurried portraits in your gown ahead of time, rain or shine. It also frees up real time in your wedding day timeline. Since your solo bridal portraits are already complete, we can spend more of that time on the day-of moments that matter most.
A Full Preview of How You’ll Look on Your Wedding Day
This is the reason I hear most often from brides looking back on their bridal session: it gave them a complete preview of how they’d look on the big day. Most hair and makeup artists include a trial as part of their package, so a bridal session is the perfect excuse to put that trial to use. It also gives you a chance to make changes to your style before the wedding if something isn’t quite right.
A Real Test Run for Your Dress and Shoes
If your gown needs additional alterations, a bridal session gives you an honest look at what it’s actually like to wear it: walking, sitting, moving around in your shoes. I’ve had brides discover the pearls on their shoes were catching in the netting of their gown as they walked, which gave them time to choose a different pair before the wedding. I’ve also had brides realize their gown was too loose around the bust or that they needed different undergarments. These are small details that often go unnoticed until the wedding day if the dress hasn’t had a real wear test beforehand.
Portraits Worth Displaying
Bridal portraits give you something beautiful to display alongside your engagement photos at the reception. One tip: keep these portraits set aside until after the ceremony, then set them out for the reception. And if you’re anywhere in the South, you already know, mothers of the bride love having a framed bridal portrait of their daughter. A bridal session is the perfect way to make that happen.
When to Schedule It
Ideally, I recommend booking your bridal session four weeks before the wedding. That gives ample time for editing and any print production, so your portraits are ready to display at the reception without a last-minute scramble.
It’s also worth having a bridesmaid or your mom join you at the session. An extra set of hands is genuinely helpful for things like adjusting the dress or touching up hair between shots, and it tends to make the whole experience more fun.
It’s Often Already Included
Many wedding venues include access for a bridal session as part of your booking, letting you use their grounds and indoor spaces for portraits. And if your florist includes a trial bouquet in your package, your bridal session is the perfect opportunity to see how it photographs and feels in hand before the wedding day.
As for cost, bridal sessions are often built into a wedding photography package, but they can also be booked as a standalone session. There’s usually a cost advantage to booking it alongside your wedding package rather than separately, so it’s worth asking your photographer how it works with your package.
Peace of Mind, All the Way Around
Most brides feel more at ease heading into their wedding day after a bridal session. You get a full preview of your look, the chance to make any adjustments, and the benefit of your hair, makeup, and bouquet trials all in one. It’s a win across the board.
And Honestly? Why Not?
Some brides tell me, “I don’t really need pictures of just me.” And my answer is always the same: why not? Your wedding gown is a serious investment. A bridal session gives you another chance to wear it, to feel beautiful in it again, and to walk away with portraits that are entirely, unmistakably you.
