Post # 1

Member
1995 posts
Buzzing bee
What is the deal with bridal portraits? like the pre-wedding kind.
I know its common for brides to get all dressed up (with full hair/makeup?) a few months before their wedding and take portraits… but why? I know a photo will commonly get displayed at the wedding… why? You can just look at her in person!
maybe it’s just be but it seems like a waste of money considering you’ll take photos AT the real wedding! Also it takes away from that wedding morning moment “I’m a bride!” when getting dressed that day.
will you be doing bridal portraits?
Post # 3

Member
687 posts
Busy bee
I think alot of brides do their bridal session when they do their hair/makeup trial to se the “whole package”. Also I think it’s supposed to offer more of an opportunity to catch the bride’s beauty and really dedicate a chunk of time to her. With that said… I’m with you, I can’t afford to add another session and I’m perfectly happy with the pictures I’ll get that day! 🙂
Post # 4

Member
1816 posts
Buzzing bee
I think it is a regional thing. I am not doing bridal portraits because they are not done out here and I do not need an extra photo session by myself. Plus, I do not want to sweat it out in my dress for any longer than I have to…it is 105 here today. Gross!
Post # 5

Member
136 posts
Blushing bee
Bridal portraits seem to be a big deal here in TX, but I really don’t understand them. It’s a day about two people becoming united… So why is there a big picture of just one of them at the reception? I’d rather do a day (or month) after shoot with me and my Fiance together, but we’ll probably only do that if we don’t think we have many good shots from the wedding. I’m not huge on posed pictures anyway, though, so I guess I’m kind of biased.
Post # 6

Member
10355 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
It’s a very southern tradition (i’m from TX originally). I’m not doing a separate session, but I am taking time the day of to get great shots of myself on my own (as is my FI), so that our families have some beautiful shots of us on our own, as well as the couple and group shots. I’m too paranoid about getting my dress dirty to do a whole other session, plus we have enough time day-of to do it without the added cost!
Post # 7

Member
5150 posts
Bee Keeper
I would have loved to do this but didn’t have time at ALL ontop of everything else. And it isn’t something that is done often here in Michigan so I didn’t feel like I missed out.
Post # 8

Member
1288 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: June 2010 - Indiana Memorial Union
My parents are all aflutter because there aren’t a lot of pictures of me in my veil “in all my glory.” They want me to get bridals now so they have photos of that. Totally don’t get it, but pretty sure it’s for moms..
Post # 9

Member
13561 posts
Honey Beekeeper
We may display an engagement photo at the reception, but I won’t be doing bridal portraits.
Post # 10

Member
1995 posts
Buzzing bee
wow it seems like nobody is doing them! The only reason I posted this was because I got the link to a friend of mine’s bridal portraits today, and saw one at the last wedding I went to! Guess it’s a dying tradition.
Post # 11

Member
3176 posts
Sugar bee
Totally a location thing. I had never heard of them, but then Future Mother-In-Law practically begged me to do them (She’s is from South Carolina). She offered to pay for them so I’m doing them. She kind of made it seem like it was just “part” of getting married. Kind of like having favors, or decorations or something.
Post # 12

Member
3575 posts
Sugar bee
Heard a lot about them but I’m not doing it either. I just cannot afford to.
Post # 13

Member
2857 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: May 2011 - Bartram's Garden
I think they’re definitely a regional thing, mostly in the south.
I have a friend who lives in Texas – I didn’t meet her until after she got married, but I saw her wedding photos on Facebook and saw a big portrait of her on an easel next to the gift table. At the time, I thought it was really extravagant and a waste of time and money. But that was before I realized that they’re actually a regular thing in some areas.
I won’t be doing them. I feel like if I get all done up before my wedding, it won’t be as special to get all done up FOR my wedding. Also, I don’t want to spend the money!
Post # 14

Member
542 posts
Busy bee
I’m having bridal portraits. I’m from Southwest Louisiana and EVERYONE has them done here. It automatically comes with the photographers package unless you tell them otherwise!
Post # 15

Member
391 posts
Helper bee
I would love to do them however, I am afraid that I am going to look vain. If I do take them, where am I going to display them? I am not going to display them in my reception because it is a time for my Fiance and I, not just me.
My Fiance is not seeing me in my dress till I walk down the isle. I am going to have some formal pre wedding photos done of us in a different dress. I am going to ask the photographer to do some solo shots of me just so I can have a couple. That way I can have some glamour shots!
Post # 16

Member
171 posts
Blushing bee
Honestly, I dont know why I am having them done…I am not going to be in full bridal hair or anything. Heck, Im not even getting my nails done. I might pluck my eyebrows though 😉
However, the bridals were included in our package.