Why You Should Consider a Bridal Session Before Your Wedding
Chloe Storm Photo LLC
March 4th, 2025
Planning a wedding comes with a million decisions, and one you may not have considered yet is whether to schedule a bridal portrait session before your big day. As a wedding photographer, I can confidently say that booking a bridal session is one of the best things you can do for yourself as a bride—and I speak from personal experience!
When I got married, I was so glad I had taken my bridal portraits beforehand. On my actual wedding day, the weather was cloudy, and while we still captured beautiful moments, I would have missed out on those dreamy, golden-light bridal portraits if I had waited until the big day. Because I did a separate bridal session, I have stunning sunlit photos in my dress, and I didn’t have to stress about unpredictable weather or a packed wedding timeline.
If you’re still on the fence, here are a few reasons why a bridal session is 100% worth it.
1. MORE TIME FOR STUNNING,
STRESS-FREE PHOTOS
On your wedding day, everything moves fast. Between getting ready, the ceremony, family photos, and your reception, there’s often little time left for dedicated bridal portraits. A separate bridal session gives you unrushed time to soak in the moment, feel beautiful in your dress, and capture photos without the pressure of a packed timeline.
Texas weather can be unpredictable—one minute it’s sunny, the next it’s cloudy or raining. If your wedding day is overcast or rainy, your bridal session ensures you already have gorgeous, glowing-light portraits in your dress. Trust me, you’ll be so thankful to have a variety of photos in different lighting!
3. A TRIAL RUN FOR HAIR, MAKEUP, AND YOUR DRESS
Bridal sessions are the perfect opportunity to test out your full bridal look. You’ll get to see how your hair and makeup photograph, how your dress moves, and if you need any last-minute alterations. This way, you go into your wedding day feeling confident, knowing everything is just the way you want it.
4. THE CHANCE TO BE COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
Many brides worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera. A bridal session gives you the chance to get comfortable, practice posing, and get to know your photographer (if you haven’t already done an engagement session). By the time your wedding day arrives, you’ll feel so much more relaxed and natural in front of the camera.
5. THE BEST WAY TO GET A TIMELESS HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT
A bridal session allows you to capture classic, timeless portraits of yourself in your dress. Many brides use these portraits for display at the reception, gifts for parents, or even as a keepsake to pass down to future generations.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Is a Bridal Session Right for You?
If you want stress-free, glowing-light bridal portraits without the rush of a wedding day timeline, then a bridal session is absolutely worth considering. It’s an experience that allows you to slow down, feel beautiful, and capture timeless memories in your dream dress.