How to Choose your Getting Ready Location

There are lots of things to think about when choosing a space to get ready in before your wedding! From a photographers perspective, these are a few of our suggestions (makeup and hair artists with thank you for these also).

Make sure the lighting is GOOD: it’s important to have lots of natural light while you are getting ready. This will help with photos and it’s extremely important for your makeup artist too! Stay away from locations that have no windows, there is nothing worse than fluorescent lighting.

Large space: If your bridal party is getting ready with you, make sure to choose a space that you can all fit in comfortably. If you want your partner to get ready with you in the same location but you don’t want them to see you, make sure it’s a space where you can separate into different areas of the home and still be comfortable. It’s also important to have good airflow in these spaces– it’s going to get HOT with multiple people getting ready in the same location and you don’t want to be sweating off your makeup before it’s even fully put on.

Choose a location within a reasonable distance of your venue: if you can, choose a getting ready location that is no further than 20-30 minutes away from your venue. If you are eloping in the mountains, this could be hard to find but everything on a wedding day takes longer than you think it will so having to factor in another hour plus for driving time after you get ready is NOT fun.

Minimal decor: this one might seem silly but some airbnbs and VRBOs have quite the decor collection in their home. I’m all for the idea when it’s not being used as a photo backdrop to a bride getting ready! Clean, white walls are ideal while photographing and it will make the space feel more elegant and classic and won’t take away from you in the photo. Feel free to bring minimal decorations of your own to spice up the place that will match your theme but try to keep it in the neutral color palette– this will go best with your dress and other wedding attire!

Outlets, counter space, and mirrors: this may be overlooked but if you have a space with good lighting and no outlets, it’s probably not going to work if you want your hair curled or done using any styling tool. Counter space is ideal for makeup and other tools also! It’s a huge bonus if your space can have at least one full length mirror but at least ONE mirror is essential. This will make for some beautiful photos while you’re getting ready (putting on your dress, earrings, shoes, etc.) but hair and makeup artists will also be thankful.

Stephanie Keegan

I’m an adventure elopement and wedding photographer based in Seattle and the surrounding Pacific Northwest. I focus on capturing love in beautiful places while sharing a passion for the outdoors. Rock climbing, backpacking, hiking – I love it all!