The Bridal Boudoir Photoshoot Guide
A client of mine recently told me that she had been looking for a gift to give her partner on their wedding day, and the traditional gifts of a watch, cufflinks, just seemed too impersonal and didn’t fit what she had in mind for her wedding. She said she wanted something more intimate, because after all, isn’t getting married about giving yourself to another person? That’s how she decided to do a Bridal Session with me, and after she saw her photos she said it was exactly what she had in mind, and that she knew she had created something they would both treasure forever.
That is my favorite way to think about a Bridal Boudoir session, it’s about creating something that you put time, energy, and all of yourself into. You might be nervous or scared because it feels vulnerable and new, but so does love. Overcoming those feelings of fear and vulnerability is what makes this such a meaningful gift in the end. Plus, you’re going to look, like, totally amazing, so that’s a bonus.
So what is Bridal Boudoir?
Bridal Boudoir is a session that’s designed to be light, soft, airy, effortless, and highlight some of your favorite wedding day touches. Typically, we’ll shoot in the Lightbox Style, so there is plenty of beautiful light surrounding you, and it gives us lots of options for that airy, dreamy feeling. You could also do the In-the-Sheets Style, for a look that’s more lived in and organic. Maybe you swirl your veil around yourself, or just use the sheet to cover and keep it simple. Lots of clients go for all three of my Signature Styles so they have some light and airy photos, some dark and dramatic for balance, and then finish with the sheets for a more lived-in bed-centered vibe.
What to wear for a Bridal Boudoir Photoshoot
Wedding/Bridal themed outfits can come in all styles but whatever you choose make sure it fits you well. If you’re planning on pairing it with your veil or other bridal accessories, lighter softer colors usually look best.
When choosing what style of lingerie to wear for a session like this, it’s important to consider what you’ll feel best in. Do you love your booty? Look for a high-leg/thong cut, do you want to cover your stomach? A bodysuit or high waist pair of underwear can be super fun and flattering. In general it’s good to avoid too much padding, but something with support especially for more gifted gals can be great. Give yourself plenty of time to try things on, return/exchange if needed, and when in doubt go somewhere in person, nothing beats getting professionally fitted and seeing right away what makes you feel good and what doesn’t.
Some colors that generally work great:
Classic white/ivory/cream
Light blue
Lilac
Blush/soft pink
Nude/beige
Other little touches -Accessories and Extras
Many clients bring in their veil (I have one you can use, if you’d like to)
wedding shoes
garter
wedding jewelry
Maybe you have some special lingerie you plan on wearing on your honeymoon
Your “something blue”
Flowers, if you want a little pop of greenery. Crowns, bouquets, single stems, all beautiful.
Maybe you don’t want to look bridal at all, and you’d rather wear something dark and sexy and just include some close ups of your ring, or something else sentimental. Make it your own! However you want to celebrate this beautiful occasion is up to you, there are no wrong answers.
How to prepare for your session: The Timeline
Ok you’ve decided to book a session, and you want an album or prints in time to gift on your wedding day, awesome! If you’re shooting with me, my turnaround is comfortably a month. So if your wedding is July 1st, aim to do your session no later than the first week of June. I try to be really quick at editing, but these days shipping and printing times can vary, so give yourself at least a month to safely have everything created and delivered to you. If you’re reading this less than a month out, no fear! We can still probably have digital images ready by your date, and then you can gift your album on your honeymoon, or even save it for your first anniversary, which is the Paper anniversary, by the way! If you are reading this and are a super-planner like many of my clients, congratulations! You have plenty of time and lots of dates to choose from, as I typically book up most a few months out, so if you’re 1 year-6 months out we can start talking, reserve your date, and get you all setup and ready for a great session with me.
(PSSST, I have the FULL comprehensive checklist as a client-only brochure once you contact me, but this is the abbreviated version, you’ll get the full rundown after you book.)
1 year- 2 months ahead -
get in touch with me, schedule our pre-session zoom chat, and think about some dates that might work. If this is a surprise, it could be helpful to think about a date/time where your partner might be at work, occupied, or out of town.
I typically shoot T/W/Th/F, but have Saturday availability during winter months.
6-1 month ahead -
You do not, I repeat, do NOT need to lose weight, diet, workout out like crazy, or conveniently get a stomach bug before your photoshoot. You are beautiful just as you are. What you DO need to do, is get comfortable in your body. You are stepping into something you’ve never done before, you wouldn’t throw the opening pitch at a baseball game never having thrown a baseball before, right? After hours and hours spent coaching clients makes the most difference, is just being aware of your body. Try a body scan meditation, yoga, (try this yoga flow for self love) pilates, dance, zumba, weight lifting, running, really anything to get you more in touch with that beautiful vessel you live in. Get to know how it moves, how it feels, get to love it a little more. We spend most of our day sitting typically, and it’s easy to live in your head so much you forget what your body is capable of, so just show it some extra love leading up to your shoot, you’ll feel way more confident for it.
2 months - 30 days ahead -
Start looking at outfits, maybe try a few things on, order a few things (double check return policies!) and get an idea for what feels best on your body. If you’re not a lingerie person that’s ok, it’s all confusing and overwhelming, just pick what you think is cute and see how you feel. There is something out there that will feel great, I promise. And if not? Just wrap yourself in a sheet or your veil and call it good, nothing wrong with that at all!
Book any appointments you need to. Feel free to leave your nails bare or paint them yourself, but if you do choose to get a mani/pedi, hair color refresh, spray tan, wax, now is the time to book those.
How to gift your photos and nail the surprise
Think about how you’d like to experience your images. Do you want digital copies to share in a text or email? Do you want a beautiful Art Album? Do you want loose prints so you can frame them, or slip one in a book or planner? We have lots of options that are perfect for whatever you have in mind.
If you want to present this as a surprise, here are some tips.
Say you’re doing a hair/makeup trial, or that you got a free makeover at Sephora so you have an excuse to be a little extra glammed up.
Book your session when your partner is out of town, at work, or on a day you can take a half day at work.
If you want to keep your makeup on, schedule a date night, girls night, or something fun after, you’ll be feeling great and why not celebrate looking extra done up?
We have makeup wipes and face wash at the studio, and you can throw your hair up into a bun to conceal the curls.
Plan on picking up your album in person if your partner is a package-opener. My boxes are always discrete and ship to you in a plain cardboard box, so it shouldn't be a problem to hide unless they are extra curious.
Tell your wedding photographer/videographer you’re planning on gifting a boudoir book, and have them pull your partner aside privately for a few minutes to capture their reaction.
Have a trusted bridesmaid/groomsman deliver your album but be mindful of other people/family around, have them pull your partner aside or deliver it somewhere they can be alone.
Bring your book/prints to the rehearsal dinner so they can open it the night before the wedding.
Bring your album/prints with you on the honeymoon so you can open it together in private.
Have a plan for where it’ll be during the ceremony/reception so you know it’s in a safe spot.
Write a little note or letter to include with your album, or let your photos speak for themselves.
I hope this guide was useful in helping you plan your Bridal Boudoir session! If you’re shooting with me, this is all things we’ll go over when we chat, but if you’re not I hope it helps you feel a little more comfortable and prepared. It’s a really fun and unique experience, and I can’t wait to create some incredible, beautiful photographs that you and your partner will love forever.