If there’s one thing all couples can agree on about their wedding day, it’s that it goes by in a flash. They wish they had more time to spend connecting with their loved ones or another hour on the dance floor. If you’re looking to free up some space in your wedding day timeline, adding bride and groom portraits might be the perfect solution. In this blog post, we’ll give you tips on how to plan your bride and groom portrait session and help determine if it’s the right fit for you and your partner.

Is a formal session right for me?

Most wedding days have a strict timeline with something happening each hour. There’s getting ready, your ceremony, formal portraits, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing and more. Bride and groom portraits on the wedding day can often take couples away from their cocktail hour or greeting their guests. If you’re hoping for some special shots at a specific location or time (like sunset portraits), this can make your timeline even more difficult to achieve. That’s where a separate bride and groom portrait session comes in!

A formal bride and groom portrait session is done before or after your wedding day. Most couples wear their wedding day attire. However, it’s also a chance to try a different bridal look than the one you chose for your big day. For example, you can rock that short wedding gown you love but didn’t make the cut for the wedding day. Couldn’t decide between a chic updo or flowing loose waves? Whatever you don’t wear for your wedding day can be featured during your formal session. It also gives you the opportunity to capture wedding photos at another beautiful location. If your venue has limited shooting locations, you can take bride and groom portraits by the beach or in the mountains like our couple Shannon and Craig.

Tips for planning your bride and groom portraits

If you’re considering planning a formal session, be sure to connect with your wedding photographer as soon as possible. It can alter your wedding day timeline, so we’ll also want to consult with your planner. Since you won’t be spending as much time taking photos on your wedding day, think about how you want to reallocate that time. Maybe it means an earlier cocktail hour or adding an hour with your DJ to keep the party going longer. If you’re hoping to recreate your wedding day look, be sure to consult your hair and makeup artist as well.

Taking your bride and groom portraits prior to your big day can also be a great trial run for your wedding looks. You can also ensure you get every shot on your must-have wedding photo list. In addition, having these photos in advance can help you check off some of your post-wedding to-dos. For example, you can have your wedding thank you cards ready to go or order photo gifts for loved ones you want to recognize with something special to commemorate the day.

See the gallery below for more shots from this stunning sunset formal session. Check out another one of our favorite bride and groom portrait shoot in the mountains here!