We’ve been wanting to add a guide about the “getting ready” portion of an elopement or destination wedding to our ever growing list of guides so here it is. As photographers, we often advocate for capturing these moments and want to explain their significance to the story and what couples can expect when we arrive.
Why Photograph the Getting Ready?
Including the “getting ready” stage adds a rich layer to the overall story and provides an authentic glimpse into your personalities. These interactions are often more intimate than those we capture later in the day amidst Iceland’s stunning landscapes. Those tender, unscripted moments – laughs, whispered dreams, and gentle nerves are so special. We particularly cherish the interactions between the wedding couples during this time of the day and between them and their parents, friends, or even children when there are guests involved. The magic of getting ready is in its raw, unguarded beauty, it’s often a time of vulnerability, and we’re honoured to get to document those emotions, turning everyday rituals into timeless memories.
From a practical perspective, the “getting ready” stage provides an additional chapter to the story we’re narrating through our images. We approach our work like a film, telling the story of your love and wedding day through photographs. You create your own unique story, and we capture and deliver our interpretation of it. We often begin by showcasing the setting with landscape shots and images of your accommodations, then introduce you as the main characters. As the day progresses, we transition to different settings and events. It feels more natural to us to start with the “getting ready” stage as the introduction, rather than opening the “film” with the ceremony.
5 Tips For Better Getting Ready Images
1. Choose Your Sanctuary
Choosing an aesthetic hotel or a cool cabin isn’t just about a place to crash – it’s about setting the stage for your love story to unfold in cinematic splendor. Imagine a boutique hotel where every window is a work of art, an old house nestled in a pretty little town or a cabin surrounded by majestic mountains. These spaces aren’t just backdrops; they are characters in your narrative.
2. Embrace the Natural Glow
We always welcome natural light. Scheduling the getting ready at a time where we do get some natural light flooding through the windows is preferred. And don’t be bewildered if we start circling the room, turning off lights and opening the blinds to let in the light.
3. Set the Mood
Surround yourself with personal touches – a favorite robe, a treasured heirloom or a precious gift you got from a loved one. Even though you are far away from home it’s great to have some elements that bring you comfort and show your personality, it also adds rich layers to your visual story. Also if you’re having someone with you try to pick people that give you energy and joy. Play your favorite tunes to set a relaxed ambiance; bonus points if it’s a track that makes you dance while getting your hair done!
4. Celebrate the Journey
Be present! Remember every fleeting moment – the jitter of excitement, the tender pre-vow silence – is part of your epic adventure. Trust the process and let your true self shine, creating images that are as real and beautiful as the journey itself
5. No mess zone
Last but not least try not to let the contents of your suitcase explode all over the room when you gather your things for the big day, keep the area clutter free and try to hide unused things in a room you are not getting ready in or tuck them away into a closet.
What Happens During the Getting Ready?
As with all parts of the elopement day there are no rules and you have free rein to plan this out just the way you like it.
At it’s most basic the getting ready part of the day is about capturing those final moments of preparation before you head out on your adventure. For women this might include final touches to hair and makeup, putting on the wedding dress, jewellery and shoes. For us its equally important to capture the men at this stage of the day and for them it can be as simple as putting on the tie, jacket and various accessories. What makes these images so special is not necessarily what is happening in them but all the unsaid emotional stuff going on underneath the surface. These vulnerable moments that give away your excitement, nervousness and joy.
But you can also add touches to this time of the day to imbue it with more of your personality and story to make the images represent you better. Things like writing down your vows into beautifully crafted notebooks, making and eating breakfast together, go skinny dipping in the frigid ocean or break all the rules and eat your cake with a glass of wine before your day even starts.
The getting ready timeline.
In our experience allocating one hour of your elopement timeline is sufficient to capture those final touches. If you are adding more time consuming activities you of course need to allocate more time. We don’t need to be there for the whole process of hair & make up for example. That just means a lot of repeating the same images over and over. So when planning for this portion of the day it’s good to plan it so that we are arriving when the hair & make-up artist has about 20 minutes left of the work they are doing.
Our approach
We’re the kind of photographers who like to be inspired by the people we’re working with and want to adapt to every couple. We don’t come in with prior expectations or preconceived ideas about specific shots; we show up with clean slates every time, but of course backed up by a decade of experience. This also means that we don’t start every getting ready process by photographing the dress hanging and the details all perfectly set up in a flat lay. We might do these things, but it depends a lot on the environment and mood at the time. If we notice that you’ve put a lot of effort into the details, we’ll put our effort into capturing them. If it seems like they don’t matter much to you and you value something else more—like the fact that your family or friends traveled all this way with you—we’re going to focus our efforts there. Also, if the space is tiny or messy, we’re not going to make a fuss to create some perfect minimalistic dress shot.
Just be aware that what’s typically meant to be captured may not be where our focus lies. We’re here to capture your day with an honest point of view and with our artistic eye, not by any script.
To “First Look” or Not to “First Look”
When it comes to elopements, there’s no right or wrong way to get ready. Some couples cherish the tradition of getting ready separately and having that “wow” moment when they see each other for the first time. If that’s you go for it, choose separate rooms or areas to get ready in or if you only have one hotel room, you can take turns or utilise a common area of the hotel.
On the other hand, many couples love the intimacy of getting ready together. We’ve captured beautiful moments of couples helping each other prepare, and it’s just as magical. Ultimately, the most important thing is to do what feels right for you as a couple.
If you do decide to get ready separately, a first look can be a wonderful way to share a special moment before the ceremony and ease any pre-ceremony jitters. It also often makes getting to the ceremony location easier since you can travel together.
Whatever you choose, we’re here to capture it all!
Conclusion
As Iceland’s raw beauty awaits beyond your window, remember this: your getting-ready moments are the cherished prologue to an epic adventure. Hopefully this guide has given you some tips and ideas to craft the perfect start to your long awaited day. We encourage you to follow your heart and not let traditions and the expectations of others weigh you down, fill this part of the day with as much of your personalities as you can. Let the serene anticipation of the morning infuse your spirit with courage, and embrace the adventure that lies ahead.
