If you do a Google search for wedding traditions you will find a million ideas pop up:

• Wearing your wedding ring on the 4th finger of your left hand
• White wedding dress
• Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
• Tossing rice as the bride and groom exit
• Bouquet/Garter toss

The list goes on and on. But have your ever stopped to think about where these traditions came from or why we do them? Is it okay to break away from tradition and do you own thing? In a new blog series I will be looking at some basic wedding traditions and breaking down the history behind them.

In this post we will be looking at the southern tradition of bridal portraits ~

Bridal portraits are a tradition most commonly found in the south. Originating in Europe, bridal portraits (or “bridals”) were historically oil paintings of royalty in their bridal regalia and were traditionally commissioned by the bride’s family to commemorate such a special occasion. It’s unclear how this tradition made its way below the Mason Dixon, but before World War II, it was rare to have a photographer at your wedding, so bridal portraits were taken in the photographer’s studio before or after the couple’s wedding. Not that long ago, bridals were a rite of passage for Southern brides. The portraits were a family keepsake that was displayed on an easel near the guest book and then hung in the bride’s parents home for years to come. They were also commonly used for wedding announcements in the local newspaper.

Newspaper wedding announcements may be a thing of the past, but the bridal portrait tradition lives on…and I’m so glad that it has. Bridal sessions are one of the most fun sessions I get to do as a wedding photographer. These are a few of the reasons why I think every bride should schedule a bridal session.

1. Trial Run – You are getting ready for one the of the most exciting days of your life so why would you wait until your wedding day to perfect your bridal look? Bridal sessions are a great way to do a trial run on the hair and make-up style you are using for your wedding day. They also give you a chance to try on your dress  for more than just a few minutes. It’s one thing to wear the dress for 5-10 min at the bridal salon, but moving around in it, standing, sitting and walking can be a problem if the dress isn’t just right. Isn’t it better to figure that out before your big day?
2. Get to know your photographer – Fact: you will spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day then just about anyone else (including your groom). Between the getting ready shots, wedding party portraits, ceremony and reception you and your photographer will be BFFs by the end of the night. Since you will be spending so much time with this wonderful person it’s probably a good idea that you get to know them and vice versa. From a photographer’s perspective, bridal sessions give me a chance to really get to know the bride and her personality without the craziness of a wedding day. I can learn what angles she looks the best at, what her natural smile looks like (and how to get it to come out) and how she moves in her dress. We can talk about the wedding day, what she wants out of her portraits and what details she is most looking forward to. From a bride’s perspective, it’s a great way to just relax and talk to the photographer in a non-stress environment.
3. It’s FUN! – How often do you get to wear a stunning (and probably expensive) white gown? Unless you are a wedding dress model the answer is probably “just once”. Why save all the fun for your wedding day? Bridal sessions are a really fun way to get some use out of that amazing dress you have been dreaming about for months/years. It’s a chance to get all dressed up, have people stare at you and compliment you…and in the end you get some stunning photos that future generations will cherish some day.

Bridal portraits have come a long way from the days of oil paintings and posed studio shots. Most brides are choosing to let their personality shine and having fun with their bridal sessions. This is one wedding tradition I hope stick around for a long time!

BEAUTY & BOUDOIR | SENIORS  | WEDDINGS