Wedding Morning Tips and Tricks

I love wedding mornings. All the planning is done, it’s time to sit back, get dolled up and soak in all the excitement and anticipation of what the rest of the day has in store for you.

They’re usually a mixture of caffeine, hairspray, music and emotions.

Over the years, I’ve picked up a few little things that genuinely help make the morning feel calmer, smoother and way more enjoyable.

If There’s Sh*t To Do, Do It The Night Before

Honestly, this is my biggest tip.

Put your lipstick and tissues in your handbag. Lay out your jewellery and underwear. Try on your outfit and make sure you have everything you need.

My best friend got married in St Andrews and her husband left his kilt in Inverurie - a fact only discovered at 11pm the night before the wedding. Thankfully, that’s a much better time to discover a missing kilt than 11am when you’re standing there with your shirt and socks on thinking, “Oh shit”.

You would be amazed how many wedding mornings involve missing shirts, forgotten ties, no socks or somebody realising they’ve forgotten something important right before leaving.

Just check the night before. It makes for a much more relaxed morning when you know you’ve got your sh*t together.

Get Steamin’

If dresses or veils need steamed, do it the night before if you can.

Steam and wedding morning glam are not friends. Steam kills curls and melts beautifully painted faces surprisingly quickly, so it’s much easier to get it sorted before everyone is ready. It also helps keep the morning space cool and calm.

The same goes for matching pyjamas and robes. If you’ve bought anything special to get ready in, take it out the packaging beforehand and hang it up overnight if you can. Keeping things folded in plastic until the morning often means everything is creased right before photos start.

A little bit of prep the night before makes the whole morning feel much calmer.

Keep Your Details Together

One of the first things I’ll usually photograph in the morning is your details.

Pop everything together in a box or bag beforehand so you don’t need to jump out the makeup chair hunting for shoes, jewellery and perfume when I arrive.

Detail suggestions:

• Perfume

• Jewellery

• Stationery

• Shoes

• Flowers

• Veil or hair accessories

• Personal tokens (memorial pieces, badges, brooches, sentimental jewellery, watches etc)

Keep The Room Tidy

One thing people don’t always think about is just how quickly a getting ready room can turn into chaos.

Suitcases, backpacks, carrier bags, empty glasses, makeup packaging and random bits of rubbish build up surprisingly quickly, and while I can absolutely move things about when needed, it makes such a difference if everyone keeps on top of it throughout the morning.

I always recommend having a designated “sh*t corner” where bags, coats and random bits can live while we’re shooting. Even better? Pop anything you don’t need into the bathroom for a while.

The more clear space we have, the calmer the room usually feels and the nicer your photos will look too!

Choose Your Getting Ready People Carefully

Whether you want a room packed with all your best pals or a much quieter morning with one or two special people, it’s your day and you get to choose the vibe.

There are no rules. Get ready the way you want to.

Make A Bangin’ Playlist

The best wedding mornings always have good music on.

Make a playlist with songs you love, songs you know every word to and songs that make you feel good. Sometimes having a wee singalong while makeup is happening genuinely helps settle the nerves a bit!

When you listen to these songs again, you might remember some special moments or how you were feeling when you were singin’ along on your wedding day.

Make Sure Someone Knows How Your Dress Works

If your outfit needs buttoned, tied, clipped or bustled, make sure somebody knows exactly how to help you into it.

Have a practise run beforehand if you can.

Knowing how long it takes and how everything works makes the whole process feel much smoother, and future-you on the dancefloor will also appreciate it when nobody is trying to figure out the bustle while the best songs of the night are playing.

Practise With Body Tape Beforehand

Body tape is brilliant. Body tape can also humble you very quickly.

If you’re planning on using it, get familiar with it before the wedding morning. The five minutes you thought it would take can suddenly turn into twenty sweaty minutes of panic when nothing is sticking where it’s supposed to

Don’t underestimate it.

Plan Your Breakfast. Seriously.

Adrenaline can absolutely kill your appetite, but your body still needs fuel.

You want to be getting launched about the dancefloor to Loch Lomond at the end of the night, not completely wiped out after your dinner!

Picky bits like sandwiches, pastries and fruit are always a good shout, but you know yourself best. Just make sure you eat something.

Do Your Last Minute Bits Before The Outfit Goes On

Make sure you’ve peed, brushed your teeth and put deodorant on before you get dressed.

It sounds obvious, but once the outfit is on, suddenly simple tasks become surprisingly difficult.

Aim To Be Ready Early

I always recommend aiming to be fully dressed about an hour before you actually need to leave.

That little pocket of breathing room makes such a difference. Instead of watching the clock and stressing, you actually get time to enjoy the moment.

It’s also usually when we’ll do any first looks or reveals with your special people. Whether that’s parents, grandparents, pals or your wedding party - these moments are always so emotional and so lovely to capture.

Pssst… It’s also the perfect time for portraits.

You’ve picked the outfit, the hair, the makeup, the perfume. You’ve probably spent more money getting ready for this day than any night out ever, and you deserve photographs that are more than just a new profile picture.

These are the photos that end up framed on walls, printed in albums and looked back on for years.

Everything you’ve planned is finally real and happening.

So take a second and properly soak it all in.

Pre-Wedding Shoots: What You Need to Know

You might know them as engagement shoots or couple shoots, but I tend to call them pre-wedding shoots as they usually happen in the lead up to your wedding day.

They’re one of the best ways for us to get to know each other before the wedding and help you feel relaxed in front of the camera before the big day arrives. It’s almost like a practice run of wandering about and looking cute, so that on your wedding day you can absolutely nail your portraits and get back to the party.

Most couples start by telling me they feel awkward having photos taken, and almost all of them leave saying, “Wait… that was actually really fun?”

WHERE?

I love doing pre-wedding shoots in places that feel personal to you. That could be somewhere you always walk together, where one of you grew up, or just somewhere that means something to your relationship.

And if you’re not sure where to go, don’t panic. I’ve got lots of beautiful locations I can suggest depending on the kind of vibe you’re after.

WHEN?

Anytime in the 6 months leading up to your wedding day is usually the sweet spot for a pre-wedding shoot.

That way, the shoot is still fresh in your mind when the wedding rolls around, and by that point you’ll normally have most of your timings and finer details confirmed too. It means we can properly chat through how the day will flow photo-wise while we wander about taking pictures.

Another bonus? Pre-wedding shoots are super flexible. If the fabulous Scottish weather decides not to cooperate, we can simply reschedule and choose another day. You can’t control the weather on your wedding day, but you absolutely can for your pre-wedding shoot, so we may as well make the most of it!

WHO’S INVITED?

Anyone important to you is welcome, including kids, dogs and other four-legged family members!

Pre-wedding shoots are such a nice chance to get some relaxed photos together without the timeline pressure of the wedding day itself. If your dog is basically your firstborn or your kids are a huge part of your story, bring them along.

If you are planning to include little ones or pets, I’d really recommend bringing another adult too. We’ll usually start the shoot with all the family photos first, then once we’ve got those covered, they can head off for snacks, walks or a little adventure while we focus on the two of you.

It keeps things relaxed, gives everyone a better time, and means we can properly settle into the shoot without anyone worrying about entertaining the dog every five minutes (which, let’s be honest, is usually me).

WHAT DO WE WEAR?

The main thing is to wear something that feels like you and that you’re comfortable in. Whether that’s dressing up a bit or sticking to your favourite jeans and trainers, both work beautifully.

I’d recommend choosing outfits that complement each other rather than matching exactly. Neutrals are classics for a reason and tend to make photos feel really timeless, but honestly, if neon pink is your thing, we’ll absolutely make it work.

I’d avoid big logos or lots of text, as they can be a little distracting in photos. Practicality is important too, especially if we’re climbing dunes, wandering through forests or heading to the beach. If you’re uncomfortable, cold, or constantly adjusting your outfit, it’ll show.

And one very important tip from me… empty your pockets before we start. Your iPhone will give you a square bum in photos!

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE SHOOT?

Pre-wedding shoots are really relaxed. We’ll usually spend around an hour wandering about, chatting about your wedding plans, and taking photos along the way.

I’ll guide you where needed and help with all the little things people worry about, like where to stand, what to do with your hands, and how not to feel awkward in front of the camera. Nothing is overly posed or formal though. The aim is for it to feel natural and easy, more like hanging out than being in a photoshoot.

A lot of people arrive convinced they’re going to hate it. By the end, I usually get some version of “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be”, which is pretty great feedback from any Scottish person!

THEN WHAT?

After the shoot, I’ll send you a gallery full of beautiful photos showing just how brilliantly you nailed being in front of the camera.

You’ll be able to download the full gallery, share it with family and friends, use the photos on your wedding website or invitations, or even print a few for the big day itself.

More than anything though, the best part is arriving on your wedding day already knowing what to expect. You’ll know how I work, realise having your photo taken isn’t nearly as scary as you thought, and feel way more relaxed when it comes to portraits on the day.

By that point, I’ll feel less like a stranger with a camera and more like someone you already know, which always makes the whole experience feel easier for everyone involved.

And if nothing else, you’ll spend an hour wandering about, pissing yourselves laughing, and hopefully end up actually looking forward to the photo bit of your wedding day.