Photos by Viola Jay Photography
Engagement shoots are becoming more popular with couples as a way to get to feel comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day. It's also a great way to have some gorgeous photos to look back on of a happy time, and you can also incorporate the shots into your wedding website and stationery. One of the most comment DMs we receive is brides looking for tips on how to prepare for their pre-wedding shoot, so we've put together a list from what to wear down to preparing the little details.
1. Choose Complementary Outfits
Not matching, complementary! Neutral tones tend to work really well with engagement shoots but a bold colour can make a statement. However, it's important to also make sure you're comfortable. Wearing heels might sound like a great idea but if you're doing a lot of walking it could be a mistake.
2. Look like yourself
You might decide to get your hair and makeup done for the shoot, or to schedule it for the day of your bridal trials. This is a great idea but make sure you still look like yourself! If you rarely ever wear makeup then having a glam look with false lashes might not be a great idea. You don't want to look back at the photos and hardly recognise yourself!
3. Select a Significant Location
You might decide to have your engagement shoot at your wedding venue which is a great idea for getting to know photo opportunities, or your photographer might recommend somewhere. However, if you're struggling for ideas think of somewhere that's important to you as a couple or somewhere that you spend a lot of time together, even if that's just the city you live.
4. Decide on the style of photos you want
Now this goes hand in hand with location, but if you want whimsical nature shots then choosing the city centre isn't a good idea! Have a think about the type of shoot that you prefer, do you like the idea of looking adventurous wandering through the woods, or running along a beach or do you like the urban vibe of graffiti and the city of your backdrop? We have so much engagement shoot inspo to help you decide.
5. Think about the weather
Scheduling a January engagement shoot will probably mean you'll be wrapped up in coats and could face the rain. If you prefer the idea of wearing something light with the sun shining down on you then you need to think about having it in the summer. Equally, if you don't like the heat then keep this in mind. Your photographer should be able to advise you on availability.
6. Get your nails done and clean your ring
Your photographer is going to want to snap those ring close ups, and who doesn't love any chance to show off their engagement ring? So make sure your nails (and your ring) are looking fresh; whether that's booking your acrylics in for that week or a simple coat of your favourite polish.
7. Have a think about photographs
Have a browse through other engagement shoots and see if there are any photographs that stand out that you'd like to recreate. If you'd like golden hour sunset photos then make sure you've scheduled it for the right time of day.
8. Trust your photographer
Really! They know what they're doing. If they suggest trying something while shooting, keep an open mind and the results will be worth it.
9. Relax
Easier said than done, but most couples find that the nerves fade away quickly. Prepare your outfits and plan in advance so you're not stressing the night before!
10. Have fun!
You're creating memories to look back on forever, so don't forget to enjoy it!
Photography, concept and planning: Viola Jay Photography
Picnic graze and table styling: The Chestnut Grove
Florist: Blossom and Bloom Florist
Hair: Chloe Bradbury Hair
Location: Alderford Lake
As we approach the 2022 wedding season lots of brides will be looking for the final touches to their wedding look. One of the most important things to tie your look together is jewellery - once you have your dress, we recommend choosing your necklace first and then considering other smaller accessories. We love the idea of purchasing pieces for your wedding day that you can wear again and again, to celebrate anniversaries and other future milestones.
When Carat* London reached out to us and asked if we'd like to review two of their necklaces we thought this would be a great opportunity to potentially recommend a brand to fellow brides. They asked Tiffany and I (Lauren) to each choose a necklace to review.
Each necklace came in a beautiful foiled box with hand-tied ribbon. The white box is ideal for wedding morning flat lay photos and for keeping your precious necklace safe. Both necklaces are sterling silver and cubic zirconias, offering the brilliance of diamonds at a fraction of the cost. Get ready to drop those hints for Valentine's Day...
The first thing I noticed was how sparkly the necklace is, it really catches the light from every angle. The slider glides gently to change the length but didn't move or slip down for the whole day I wore it to test it out (essential for a wedding day!). I really love the detail on the necklace too, the slider itself has more stones and so do the ends of the chain, which means it looks really pretty draped down your back for any brides wearing their hair up.
Tiffany chose the Atrias necklace (£89) - "inspired by bright starry nights, our Atrias necklace is your very own Lucky Star". if you've followed us for a while you'll know that she loves all things celestial!
The delicate star motif is so trendy and the perfect choice for the modern bride, Carat* London also have a matching necklace and ring available. This necklace has two hooks to offer a choice of length. Its simple nature would complement all types of wedding dresses.
Thank you so much to Carat London for kindly sending us these necklaces, we're in love!
From Brides, With Love xo
*This post includes paid promotion
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