Wedding Day Getting Ready Tips: What Every Bride, Groom & Wedding Party Should Know
Updated: 3 days ago
Your wedding day is finally here! The dresses are ready, the suits are hanging, the flowers are on their way, and everyone is getting excited.
But here's something I've learned after more than 25 years as a professional photographer: some of the biggest wedding day frustrations come from the smallest things nobody thought about beforehand.
A bra strap that shows through a dress. A groomsman who forgot his socks. A bridesmaid with chipped nail polish. A beautiful hairstyle that gets ruined trying to pull a T-shirt over someone's head.
The good news? Almost all of these problems are preventable.
As a Michigan wedding photographer, I want you to enjoy your wedding morning instead of scrambling to solve last-minute problems.
Here's my guide to helping everyone—from the bride and groom to the bridesmaids and groomsmen—arrive comfortable, confident, and camera-ready.
1. What to Wear While Getting Your Hair and Makeup Done
This is one of my favorite wedding morning tips, and it's something every member of the bridal party should know.
Wear something that opens in the front.
A button-down shirt, zip-front top, or loose robe is ideal for hair and makeup appointments.
Why? Because pulling a tight shirt over your head after your hair and makeup are finished can undo all that beautiful work.
For bridesmaids, matching robes or pajama sets can also create lovely getting-ready photographs. Just remember that coordinated outfits are optional. Comfort and practicality come first.
For the bride, choose something you feel beautiful wearing. Your getting-ready photographs are part of your wedding story, too!
Photographer's tip: If you're planning matching robes, check that they aren't too short or sheer. Sit, bend, and move around in them before the wedding day.
And don't forget the guys! A clean, comfortable button-down shirt makes getting ready easy and looks much better in candid photographs than an old graphic T-shirt.
2. Choose Your Wedding Day Undergarments Before the Wedding
Undergarments might not be glamorous to discuss, but they're incredibly important.
The wrong bra, shapewear, or underwear can create visible lines, uncomfortable pressure, or unexpected wardrobe problems.
For brides and bridesmaids:
Try on your complete outfit with the exact undergarments you'll wear.
Check for visible straps, seams, or lines in natural light.
Choose undergarment colors that disappear beneath your fabric. Skin-tone shades often work better than white.
Test strapless bras and shapewear while sitting, walking, and dancing.
Make sure nothing rolls down, pinches, or needs constant adjusting.
Check that adhesive products are compatible with your skin and clothing.
And here's one many brides forget: if your dress has a low back, sheer panels, or an unusual neckline, don't wait until the wedding morning to figure out what works underneath.
Photographer's tip: Take a few test photographs of your complete outfit in daylight and with flash. Sometimes an undergarment that looks invisible in the mirror becomes noticeable in photographs.
For grooms and groomsmen, undershirts matter too. Choose a properly fitted undershirt that won't show through the dress shirt or peek above the collar.
3. Nails Matter for Everyone—Including the Guys!
Your hands appear in wedding photographs more often than you might expect.
Think about exchanging rings, holding bouquets, fastening cufflinks, buttoning dresses, and those beautiful close-up photographs of your wedding bands.
For brides and bridesmaids, schedule manicures early enough to avoid rushing, but close enough to the wedding to keep them looking fresh.
Neutral, soft pink, French, and classic polished nails photograph beautifully, although your personal style should always come first.
For grooms and groomsmen, clean, trimmed nails and moisturized hands make a difference.
No, the guys don't need colorful manicures unless they want them!
But ragged nails, dry cuticles, and dirty hands can be surprisingly distracting in close-up wedding photographs.
Photographer's tip: Moisturize your hands the night before, but avoid heavy or greasy lotion immediately before handling wedding rings, delicate fabrics, or bouquets.
4. How to Keep Everyone Cool and Dry During Summer Weddings
Michigan summers can be absolutely beautiful, but they can also be hot and humid.
And nothing makes a wedding party uncomfortable faster than standing outside in formal clothing on a 90-degree afternoon.
A little planning can make a tremendous difference.
For brides and bridesmaids:
Choose a deodorant or antiperspirant that won't leave visible marks on dresses.
Keep blotting papers handy for shiny skin.
Use setting products recommended by your makeup artist.
Bring a small handheld fan.
Stay hydrated throughout the morning.
Keep a clean towel available for gently blotting perspiration.
Avoid trying unfamiliar skincare products on the wedding day.
For grooms and groomsmen:
Wear breathable, properly fitted undershirts.
Have an extra undershirt available if the weather is especially hot.
Keep a clean handkerchief in your pocket.
Use a facial blotting sheet or clean towel before photographs.
Avoid heavy cologne, especially in the heat.
Keep jackets off when appropriate until they're needed for portraits.
Photographer's tip: Don't wipe sweat across your face. Gently blot instead, especially when wearing makeup.
And whenever possible, plan outdoor wedding party portraits with access to shade and a nearby air-conditioned space.
5. The Wedding Day Emergency Kit Everyone Will Be Glad You Packed
Every wedding party should have one designated person responsible for a wedding day emergency kit.
Not the bride. Not the groom.
Choose a bridesmaid, groomsman, family member, or wedding coordinator who can keep everything organized and accessible.
Here are my favorite essentials:
Clothing emergencies
Safety pins
Fashion tape
Small sewing kit with matching thread
Scissors
Stain-removal wipes appropriate for the fabric
Lint roller
Extra buttons
Clear nail polish for minor stocking runs
Spare socks
Heel protectors for outdoor ceremonies
Beauty emergencies
Bobby pins and hair ties
Small hairspray
Makeup touch-up products
Blotting papers
Cotton swabs
Nail file
Nail glue if appropriate
Lip color
Tissues
Deodorant
Small mirror
Comfort essentials
Bandages and blister pads
Water bottles
Easy-to-eat snacks
Mints
Sunscreen for outdoor events
Feminine hygiene products
Personal medications
Phone chargers
Photographer's tip: Keep the emergency kit in one clearly labeled bag. A perfectly packed kit doesn't help if nobody knows where it is!
6. Groomsmen: Your Wedding Morning Checklist
Guys, this section is for you.
I've seen wedding mornings where everyone was dressed and ready—except someone forgot their belt, had two different socks, or couldn't figure out how to tie a tie.
A little preparation prevents a lot of stress.
The night before the wedding, lay out everything you need:
Suit or tuxedo, including the correct jacket and trousers
Dress shirt, pressed and ready
Properly fitted undershirt
Belt or suspenders, if needed
Tie or bow tie
Pocket square
Cufflinks and shirt studs, if required
Matching dress socks
Polished dress shoes
Watch and other accessories
Wedding rings, if assigned to you
Try on the complete outfit before the wedding day.
And please, make sure you know how to tie your tie before the photographer arrives!
Photographer's tip: Don't put your boutonniere on too early if it could get crushed or damaged. Have someone who knows how to attach it available when it's time for portraits.
7. Avoid Last-Minute Beauty Surprises
Your wedding morning is not the time to experiment with a new skincare routine.
Avoid scheduling unfamiliar facials, chemical treatments, spray tans, waxing, or dramatic hair changes immediately before your wedding.
Everyone's skin reacts differently, and even products you've used before can occasionally cause irritation.
For brides and bridesmaids, schedule hair and makeup trials in advance whenever possible.
For grooms and groomsmen, schedule haircuts with enough time for the style to settle, and avoid experimenting with new beard products or shaving techniques the morning of the wedding.
If you're planning a spray tan, test the color and timing well before the wedding. Make sure it doesn't transfer onto light-colored clothing.
8. Eat Breakfast, Drink Water, and Give Yourself Time
One of the biggest wedding morning mistakes is forgetting to eat.
Between hair appointments, makeup, flowers, family members, and excitement, it's surprisingly easy to reach the ceremony without a proper meal.
Make sure breakfast and lunch are part of your wedding day timeline.
Choose foods that are easy to eat, not overly messy, and unlikely to stain clothing.
Keep water available for everyone, including the guys.
And remember, champagne is not a substitute for breakfast!
Photographer's tip: Plan a little extra time for everything. Hair and makeup can run late, someone may need a wardrobe adjustment, and those beautiful spontaneous moments deserve breathing room.
9. Keep the Getting-Ready Space Organized for Beautiful Photographs
Your getting-ready location is often the setting for some of the most emotional photographs of the entire wedding day.
The bride laughing with her bridesmaids. A mother helping fasten a wedding dress. The groom adjusting his tie. A father seeing his daughter in her wedding gown.
These are moments worth remembering.
But overflowing trash cans, half-eaten breakfast containers, shopping bags, and scattered clothing can distract from those photographs.
Before your photographer arrives, designate one area for personal belongings and another for photographs.
Hang dresses and suits neatly, keep accessories together, and clear clutter from areas near windows.
Natural window light is often beautiful for getting-ready portraits.
Photographer's tip: Have your wedding details ready in one place: rings, invitations, jewelry, shoes, perfume, cufflinks, and any sentimental items you'd like photographed.
10. Build a Wedding Morning Timeline That Includes Everyone
A smooth wedding morning requires more than knowing what time the ceremony begins.
Your schedule should account for hair and makeup, getting dressed, individual portraits, wedding party photographs, and transportation.
Don't forget that the groom and groomsmen need preparation time, too.
If everyone is getting ready in different locations, consider how much travel time is required.
Make sure the people helping the bride into her dress are already dressed themselves. This creates a more polished look in those special photographs.
And if you're planning a first look, make sure the timeline allows enough time to enjoy it without feeling rushed.
The goal isn't to schedule every second. It's to create enough structure that everyone can relax.
11. Assign Responsibilities Before Wedding Day
The bride and groom shouldn't be responsible for solving every problem on their wedding morning.
Choose a few trusted people to handle important details.
Someone should know where the emergency kit is located. Someone should have the wedding planner's and vendors' contact information. Someone should help keep track of personal belongings.
Assign someone to check that bouquets, boutonnieres, rings, and other important accessories are ready when needed.
And make sure everyone knows where they're supposed to be and when.
A little organization allows the couple to focus on enjoying their celebration.
12. The Most Important Thing to Wear? Confidence.
After all the planning, preparation, appointments, and checklists, remember what your wedding day is really about.
It's not about having perfectly polished nails or making sure every strand of hair stays in place.
It's about celebrating your love with the people who matter most.
Some of my favorite wedding photographs happen between the perfectly planned moments—the laughter while getting dressed, the happy tears, the nervous excitement, and the hugs that happen when nobody is thinking about the camera.
Prepare for the little things so you can be fully present for the big ones.
Because those genuine moments are what make your wedding photographs unforgettable.
Planning Your Michigan Wedding?
At Beechwood Photography, I believe wedding photography should be more than a collection of beautiful portraits. It should tell the complete story of your celebration, from the excitement of getting ready to the moments you'll treasure for a lifetime.
With more than 25 years of professional photography experience, I know how important thoughtful preparation can be in creating a relaxed, enjoyable wedding photography experience.
I photograph weddings throughout Michigan's Thumb and beyond, including romantic countryside celebrations, elegant venues, and beautiful Lake Huron wedding destinations.
I'd love to hear about your wedding plans.
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