Helpful Tips for Getting Ready

for your Wedding Day

Your wedding day is one of the most meaningful, emotional, joy‑filled days of your life and a little preparation goes a long way in helping you feel confident, calm, and fully present. After photographing countless weddings, I’ve gathered some tried‑and‑true tips to help you look and feel your best from the moment you wake up to the moment you walk down the aisle. These small details make a big difference in your comfort, your photos, and your overall experience.

1. Tanning: Keep It Even, Natural, and Moisturized

If you plan to tan before your wedding, whether naturally or with a spray tan, consistency is everything.

Avoid tan lines at all costs. Strapless dresses, low backs, and thin straps make tan lines very noticeable in photos. Even if it seems obvious, it’s one of the most common issues I see.
Start early. If you’re tanning outdoors, be mindful in the two to three months leading up to your wedding. Even exposure helps prevent harsh lines.
Moisturize daily. Dry or flaky skin can make tans look patchy and uneven. Hydrated skin photographs beautifully.
If spray tanning:
Do a trial run at least a month before the wedding.
Schedule your final tan 2–3 days before the big day.
Avoid anything too dark or too different from your natural tone.

Your goal is to look like the most radiant version of you, not a different person.

2. Hair & Makeup: Trials Are Your Best Friend

Professional hair and makeup artists are magic. They know how to enhance your features, create long‑lasting looks, and help you feel incredible.

Always schedule a trial. This ensures you love the look, and it gives your artist time to perfect it.
Bring inspiration photos that match your hair type and skin tone. This helps set realistic expectations.
Wear white to your trial. It gives you a better sense of how the look will photograph with your dress.
Plan enough time on the wedding day. Rushing creates stress, and stress shows in photos.

Your HMUA team is part of your wedding‑day calm. Trust them, communicate openly, and enjoy the pampering.

3. Accessories: Decide Early to Avoid Day‑Of Stress

Your accessories complete your look, but they can also cause last‑minute chaos if you’re still deciding the morning of your wedding.

Try everything on with your dress ahead of time: jewelry, veil, shoes, hairpieces, shapewear, all of it.
Take photos during your try‑on. Sometimes seeing it in a picture helps you decide.
Keep everything together in one place. A labeled box or garment bag pocket works wonders.

The more decisions you make before the wedding day, the more relaxed and present you’ll feel.

4. Shoes: Comfort First, Always

Your wedding shoes are beautiful, but they also need to be functional.

Break them in. Wear them around the house for short periods to soften the material.
Scuff the bottoms with sandpaper. This helps prevent slipping on smooth floors or down the aisle.
If you’ll be on grass:
Invest in heel protectors to prevent sinking.
Walk slowly and mind uneven ground, it’s easy to twist an ankle or stumble.
Bring your shoes to every dress fitting. Hemming depends on heel height.

Your feet will thank you, and you’ll move with so much more confidence.

5. Eat & Drink: Fuel Your Body for the Day Ahead

It’s surprisingly easy to forget to eat or drink on your wedding day, but it’s one of the most important things you can do.

Hydrate well in the days leading up to the wedding. It helps your skin glow and keeps you energized.
Eat a real breakfast and light snacks throughout the day. No one wants to feel faint, shaky, or headachy during photos.
Be mindful with alcohol.
A celebratory mimosa is fine but save the heavy drinking for after photos and formalities.
Red wine stains everything, including your lips and dress.

You’ll enjoy your day so much more when your body feels supported.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding day should feel joyful, intentional, and stress‑free. With a little preparation, you’ll step into the day feeling confident, comfortable, and ready to soak in every moment. These small details help your photos look their best, but more importantly, they help you feel your best.