This is my first post in yet another JFP blog series…Bridal Bliss! I’ve shot over 40 weddings in the past 2.5 years so I’ve seen A LOT when it comes to the in’s and out’s, good and bad, and everything-in-between on a wedding day. And it only seems right that I share that with current and future brides. Why not take what I’ve seen and make it into your own bridal bliss!?! Just consider me a wedding consultant on the side. 😉

Your home sweet home. Your humble abode. Your home base. Whatever you call it, make your home a part of the wedding day. More specifically, make it part of the getting ready part of your wedding day. Why? Here are my four reasons…

1. You have everything you need

While you’re getting ready for one of the most important days of your life, the last thing you want is to have forgotten a piece of your bridal attire! Whether it be your super expensive department store lip gloss or your something blue lace-y undies, a forgotten item on the wedding day is never a good thing. Chances are, most of your bridal pieces would have been originally gathered at your home. So why not get ready where you have everything!?! No need to transfer items to and fro and take the chance of things getting lost, misplaced, or damaged. You’ll also more than likely be able to find all the last-minute emergency items like sewing supplies, medicine, stain remover, feminine products, Red Bull, etc. What church school room or hotel suite has all those?

2. Space

Have you ever been in a wedding where you have to get ready in a church school room or hotel suite? There’s typically not enough room for everyone, right? Many of those situations usually equal one room for multiple women, and we all know that can be chaotic. If you get ready in your home, you have multiple rooms (including bathrooms!!) to use so everyone and everything (dresses, shoes, makeup, hair essentials, bags, flowers) aren’t crowded in one space. You can have lunch in your kitchen, the bouquets hanging out in the living room and all the ladies getting ready in the bedrooms and bathrooms…all under one roof!

While Sara and her bridesmaids got ready in the various bedrooms and bathrooms throughout her house, they were all able to come together in one room for Sara’s final bridal touches. Definitely created a special moment for everyone, especially the blushing bride!

 

Bridesmaids get ready in one room, bride in another…

And there’s even room for the dog!

3. Comfort

Getting ready at home, in the comfort of your own home, will be just that…comforting! There will probably be a ton of emotions, thoughts and nerves running through your mind and body on your wedding day. But maybe getting ready in your home, surrounded by your childhood memories and familiar spaces will calm those feelings and allow you to actually relax. Add “beautiful bride” with “relaxed bride” and you’ve got one enjoyable wedding day!

Pure, raw emotion because you’re relaxed and comfortable in your own home. Less nerves, more excitement!

4. PICTURES!!! (obvi my fave reason)

Not all church school rooms and hotel suites are ugly. Some are actually very pretty and have interesting backgrounds for picture-taking. But what if the church school room is filled with books, toys and old wooden tables and chairs? And what about the unnatural, non-home-like feel of the hotel room? Not-so-awesome photo ops. So replace those two situations with YOUR bedroom. The room where you grew up and spent most of your childhood. The room where you got your beginning and will soon have your end (in that home) as you become a married woman. Getting ready pictures in your bedroom help to tell your story and will allow those pictures to be that much more sentimental and special.

Just an outdoor bridal portrait? No. A bridal portrait in YOUR backyard.

Bridal gown hangs on the left while childhood picture hangs on the right. Can’t get these kind of pictures in a hotel suite!

Lindsey helping her mom with her flower. Definitely special, but special times two because it’s taking place in Lindsey and her soon-to-be husband’s kitchen.

Of course if you’ve already had your wedding and can prove me wrong on any of these points, high-five to you! And if you’re planning your wedding and don’t have the option of getting ready at home, no worries…your day won’t be terrible! Getting ready at home doesn’t work for everyone and that’s totally fine. I’m just encouraging those that can get ready at home to consider my reasons and go for it! Happy getting ready to all my brides!