The planning is underway. Your wedding approaching! In your head, you have so many things running around about all the details – your dress, the florist, engagement session, save-the-dates, invitations, the cake. But have you given any thought to where you’re getting ready? For most brides and grooms, this is usually one of the final details put together. While you can of course get ready where ever your heart desires, here are a few pointers about how to select the best getting ready spot to make your photos look gorgeous!

Natural light // I am a natural light photographer so of course having a room that is full of natural light (not lamps) is ideal. This allows for gorgeous portraits and natural skin tones. Any unnatural light (from lamps) tend to negatively affect the overall ascetic of your photos!

Large windows // Going off the above, windows are my best friend! When looking at spaces, ideally you want to find a space with floor-to-ceiling windows or at least large windows (and tons of them)! If you can’t find that, remember the rule that any window is better than no window. If you have the option, it is best to have a room with north and south facing windows for the best light throughout the day.

Suites // If your budget allows, a bigger room or bridal suite allows everyone more space when getting ready — especially if you will have your wedding party getting ready with you plus potentially your glam team there to make you look fab!

Light colored walls // Rooms with white or cream walls are perfect, as they act as a natural reflector for the natural light entering the room and actually help to make the room lighter. If possible, try to stay away from rooms with bold colors like green or red, as the colors will affect everyone’s natural skin tones and won’t be the most flattering.

Interesting decor // When looking at spaces, keep in mind the overall theme/ascetic of your wedding. Finding something that compliments that will help ensure your wedding album has a beautiful and cohesive feel. Keep in mind that the decor found in the room will be used quite a bit to capture all of your details (dress, jewelry, invitations, etc.).

Simple spaces // Messes and clutter only distract from what’s happening in the room, so places that are simple and clean are the best. If there is clutter, don’t worry because we can most likely move it out of the way. When getting ready, try to keep your items to one small section of the room so it doesn’t end up in your photos.