How to Have a Calm, Relaxing Wedding Morning & Crush Your Getting Ready Photos
How to Have a Calm, Relaxing Wedding Morning & Crush Your Getting Ready Photos
Your wedding morning sets the tone for the rest of your big day. Whether you envision a peaceful morning sipping coffee with your bridesmaids, a heartfelt first look with your parents, or a fun, music-filled glam session, how you start your day matters.
As a Salt Lake City wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all—the relaxed, joyful mornings that lead to glowing photos and the chaotic, stressful ones that leave brides frazzled. I want your wedding morning to be calm, intentional, and filled with joy—and, of course, to result in gorgeous getting-ready photos.
So, let’s talk about:
✅ How to create a stress-free wedding morning timeline
✅ What to do the night before to set yourself up for success
✅ Tips for feeling calm, confident, and present on your big day
✅ How to get dreamy, magazine-worthy getting-ready photos
The Night Before: Set Yourself Up for a Relaxing Morning
A peaceful morning starts the night before. Here’s how to prepare so you wake up feeling refreshed and excited, not rushed and anxious.
1. Get a Full Night’s Sleep
I know—easier said than done. But try to go to bed early and avoid screens at least an hour before bed. If you’re feeling restless, sip some chamomile tea, take a warm bath, or do some deep breathing exercises.
📸 Pro Tip: Your wedding day will be an emotional rollercoaster. The more rested you are, the better you’ll feel—and the more glowing your skin will look in photos!
2. Pack Everything in One Place
Make sure all your wedding details (rings, invitations, shoes, jewelry, veil, and any sentimental items) are packed and ready for your photographer.
📸 Photo Checklist for Detail Shots:
✔️ Wedding dress (steamed & hung on a nice hanger)
✔️ Rings (both yours & your fiancé’s)
✔️ Shoes
✔️ Veil & hair accessories
✔️ Invitation suite (envelopes, wax seals, RSVP cards)
✔️ Perfume & jewelry
✔️ Any sentimental items (letters, heirlooms, handkerchiefs)
Having these ready eliminates last-minute scrambling and allows your photographer to capture those elegant, editorial-style detail shots.
3. Drink Water & Eat a Nutritious Meal
Wedding mornings are long and full of excitement, so fuel up with a healthy breakfast. Think protein, healthy fats, and hydration—avoid too much caffeine or sugar, which can cause energy crashes.
✔️ Best Wedding Morning Breakfast Ideas:
🥑 Avocado toast with eggs
🥣 Greek yogurt with granola & berries
🍓 Smoothie with protein powder, banana, and almond milk
🍳 Scrambled eggs with whole grain toast
📸 Pro Tip: If you’re nervous and don’t feel like eating, at least sip on a smoothie or have some nuts and fruit to keep your energy levels up.
4. Create a Relaxing Atmosphere
Your getting-ready space should feel calm, fun, and joyful—not chaotic and stressful.
✔️ Set the vibe with a wedding morning playlist (Spotify has great ones!)
✔️ Light a candle or diffuse essential oils (lavender or citrus scents help with relaxation)
✔️ Keep the space clean so your photos don’t have clutter in the background
✔️ Have comfy robes or matching pajama sets for cute bridal party photos
Your Wedding Morning Timeline: A Stress-Free Plan
What Time Should You Start Getting Ready?
A smooth wedding morning starts with a well-planned timeline. Here’s a general guide for how long each part of the getting-ready process takes:
✔️ Bride’s Hair & Makeup: 90 minutes
✔️ Bridesmaids’ Hair & Makeup: 45 minutes each
✔️ Getting Into Dress + Accessories: 30 minutes
✔️ Bridal Party & First Look Photos: 45-60 minutes
Sample Wedding Morning Timeline (4:30 PM Ceremony)
🕗 8:30 AM – Wake Up, Breakfast, & Relax
🕘 9:00 AM – Start Hair & Makeup for Bridesmaids
🕙 10:30 AM – Bride’s Hair & Makeup Begins
🕛 12:00 PM – Photographer Arrives for Detail Shots
🕐 1:00 PM – Bridesmaids Finishing Touches
🕜 1:30 PM – Bride Gets Into Dress
🕞 2:00 PM – First Look with Dad or Bridesmaids
🕒 3:00 PM – Bride & Groom First Look + Portraits
🕟 3:45 PM – Wedding Party Photos
🕔 4:30 PM – Ceremony Begins!
📸 Pro Tip: Always add extra buffer time in case of delays. The last thing you want is to feel rushed before your ceremony!
How to Get the Best Getting Ready Photos
Your getting-ready photos set the scene for your wedding story, capturing all the excitement, anticipation, and love before you walk down the aisle.
1. Choose a Bright, Clean Getting-Ready Space
Lighting is everything! Look for a room with big windows and lots of natural light. Avoid hotel rooms with yellow lighting or cluttered backgrounds.
📸 Best Getting-Ready Locations in Salt Lake City:
✔️ Your venue’s bridal suite (if it has good lighting)
✔️ A beautiful Airbnb with lots of space
✔️ A hotel suite with neutral tones & natural light
2. Wear Cute & Comfortable Bridal Robes
Matching bridal robes or pajamas make for adorable photos and keep your hair & makeup looking flawless. Choose silky robes, lacy sets, or cozy pajamas that match your wedding colors.
📸 Pro Tip: Avoid anything too tight around the neckline—button-down shirts or robes are best so you don’t mess up your hair when changing into your dress!
3. Have a First Look with Your Bridesmaids (or Parents!)
One of the most emotional and joyful moments is when your bridesmaids or parents see you in your wedding dress for the first time.
✔️ Gather them in one room
✔️ Have them turn around while you get into your dress
✔️ Let your photographer capture their authentic reactions when they turn back around!
📸 Pro Tip: If you have a first look with your dad, it can be one of the most heartfelt moments of the day.
4. Take Time for Bridal Portraits
Before heading to your first look or ceremony, set aside 10-15 minutes for bridal portraits. These are the images that will feel like a timeless, elegant editorial spread.
✔️ Get shots of you adjusting your earrings, veil, or perfume
✔️ Stand by a window for dreamy, soft lighting
✔️ Capture a “bride looking into the mirror” moment
Final Tips for a Relaxing Wedding Morning
💛 Assign a point person (NOT you!) to handle last-minute details
💛 Give yourself extra time—it’s better to be relaxed than rushed
💛 Stay hydrated & snack throughout the morning
💛 Soak in the moment—this is YOUR DAY!
Let’s Capture Your Dream Wedding Morning!
I hope this guide helps you create a calm, joyful, and stress-free wedding morning—one that not only feels amazing but also results in gorgeous, timeless photos.
If you're looking for a Salt Lake City wedding photographer, I'd love to help you document every moment of your love story—from the anticipation of getting ready to the golden hour glow of your first portraits as newlyweds.
📅 Let’s chat & plan your dream wedding photos! 💛