Picking your getting ready location
Your date is locked in, the venue booked, and vendors all sorted and now you’re on to the logistics of the day. Phew, wedding planning is very involved isn’t it?
Picking your getting-ready location can be a bit of a task and there are a few things to consider when picking the location. Of course, you can just jump on Airbnb and put in your venue location and just go for gold. And hey, that works! But if you want to give your getting-ready photos that extra oomph and take some of the stress out of the actual day, then I’ve rounded up some tips and things to think about below.
Besides, who doesn’t want some fun photos of their family and friends getting all pretty-fied on the big day as well as seeing all the excitement on their faces as the time gets closer and closer and you get into your outfits? Eeek!
Travel time!
To the venue
What is the travel time from where you’re getting ready to your ceremony location? Will your outfit get all crinkly on the drive there? Or would a little traffic jam on a regularly busy road make a difference to your travel time? A lot of great wedding venues in South East Queensland have onsite rooms for you to hire which is amazing or you can reach out to your venue and ask for suggestions on an Airbnb or accommodation they recommend if they haven’t already given you a list. It’s a great idea to reach out to your vendors as often we have tips and tricks we’ve built up over the years.
Between the couple
If you’re getting ready together (how cute!) then this part won’t apply to you, but if you’re keeping with tradition and getting ready separately, having those locations close is a good idea. If you only have one photographer booked instead of a team of two and your getting-ready locations are close together that gives you the option of having both of you covered for getting ready pictures. In those situations, we can start with one partner, get some details and getting ready photos and then head off to partner 2 for the final preparations before heading to the ceremony. If the locations are over 15 minutes apart it makes this a bit more difficult so that is something to keep in mind. Getting ready together also means that travel time to the venue is similar and that’s easier to plan for as well.
Day-to-night logistics
Something to consider is where you’ll stay the night of the wedding. Having to pack all your things up and move them to another location for the night of the wedding can add extra stress on the wedding day. So it’s a good idea to consider having at least one partner getting ready where you’ll spend your wedding night so you can get all your things there more easily.
Parking availability
There will be lots of cars. Your vendors (photographer, videographer, hair and makeup peeps) your family and your wedding party. Plenty of street parking is always a good idea. If you’re getting married in a city location then checking to see if there is a parking garage near is worthwhile. Trust me, having to lug all the stuff you need down 3 blocks on a hot day is not fun for anyone.
Light, colour and space!
I’m very biased here, but this is the part I think is the most important. I absolutely love walking into a getting-ready location and seeing big, beautiful windows with gorgeous natural light flying into a lovely neutral space. And the other vendors who are helping you get ready will love it too!
If you are planning on getting accommodation on your big day then look for places that have nice neutral furnishing so that you stand out on the big day, not some big red wall in the background. A quick scroll through photos on the listing will give you a good idea. Of course, a bit of space is always nice too but you can do a lot with a small, neutral space with beautiful light.
If you’re getting ready at home then a quick tidy-up of the main lounge and your bedroom is a good idea as that’s likely where photos will take place.
If you’re planning on a first look, having a location with plenty of room for this is pretty smart too. I talk more about that in my blog about first looks.
Of course, your photographer will always try their best to take photos in the prettiest locations within the space but it helps to have a good base to start from. And as always, if in doubt, ask! I’m happy to give my opinion if you want some help.
I hope that helps! More insight coming soon. Until then lovers x
