When you think about elopement photography, it’s easy to jump straight to epic mountain views, windswept veils, and private vows whispered beneath the trees. But some of the most powerful and emotional moments actually happen before the adventure begins—during the getting ready portion of the day. These quiet, in-between moments tell the story of anticipation, intimacy, and intention. They are the buildup to the magic. And if captured thoughtfully, they become some of the most cherished photos in your entire gallery.
Whether you're getting ready in a cozy A-frame cabin, a luxury Airbnb, or even outdoors under the open sky, there are simple ways to make this part of your elopement feel meaningful, comfortable, and beautifully documented.
Let’s talk about how to make the most of your getting ready photos on your elopement day—from choosing the right location to incorporating personal details that make your images feel like you.
1. Start with the Why: Make This Part of the Story Matter
Getting ready photos during an elopement aren’t just about hair and makeup. They’re about the emotion behind the decision to elope. They capture your nerves, your excitement, your love notes, and your final deep breath before saying “I do.”
Start by thinking about how you want this time to feel:
- Do you want it to be calm and quiet, with a candle burning and your favorite playlist humming in the background?
- Do you want to laugh with your best friend or share a private toast with your partner before you go your separate ways to get dressed?
- Are you writing your vows that morning, or pinning a family heirloom into your bouquet?
When you design your getting ready experience with intention, your photos naturally become more meaningful. And when you're relaxed and present in the moment, it shows in every image.
2. Choose a Getting Ready Space That Feels Like You
The environment you choose sets the tone. Here’s what to look for when choosing your space:
Natural Light
Look for spaces with big windows and soft, even natural light. Your photographer will thank you—and your photos will look clean, dreamy, and full of life.
Clean + Minimal Backgrounds
You don’t need to book a luxury suite (unless you want to!), but it’s helpful to tidy up clutter—especially in small spaces. A simple, neutral background lets you shine. A cozy cabin with wood textures, a tent with mountain views, or a styled yurt with southwest vibes can all create a magical setting.
Emotional Value
Ask yourself: Does this space feel like us? Maybe it’s the Airbnb where you stayed the first time you visited Colorado. Maybe it’s your Jeep at a trailhead, your family’s backyard, or a quiet corner of a favorite national park. Emotional value adds to the richness of your story.
3. Add Intention Through Details
The little things matter. These are the details that tell your story:
- Your vow books, handwritten with care
- A custom perfume or cologne you’ll always associate with this day
- Jewelry with family history
- A Spotify playlist full of “your songs”
- A polaroid photo of your grandparents
- A letter to your future spouse
- Your dog curled up on the bed beside you
Photographing these details helps tell the full story of your elopement, not just the epic parts—but the personal ones, too.
4. Plan Enough Time to Slow Down
This part is important: Don’t rush your getting ready time.
Elopement days are meant to be intentional and calm, not a whirlwind of stress. Build in at least an hour (more if you're having hair and makeup done) to get dressed, breathe, snack, and connect with yourself, your partner, or anyone else with you.
Slow mornings make for more emotional and memorable photos. They give you time to:
- Read a letter from your partner
- Sip your coffee or tea slowly
- Listen to a song that makes you cry (in the best way)
- Sit with the significance of the moment
When you have space to just be, it makes the images feel more real and less staged.
5. Get Dressed with Intention
The moment you get into your dress, suit, jumpsuit—whatever you’re wearing—can be surprisingly emotional. This is when it starts to feel real.
If you’re getting ready separately, consider having a friend or family member help you get dressed. If you’re getting ready together (which can be such a sweet twist on tradition!), help each other with your final touches: buttoning a shirt, zipping a dress, placing a flower crown, tying hiking boots.
Getting dressed doesn’t have to be rushed or formal. It can be slow, joyful, and deeply personal. It’s not about the outfit—it’s about the transformation from “almost married” to “it’s happening right now.”
6. Incorporate a Quiet Ritual or Moment
This is your elopement—you get to make your own rules. Consider adding a small ritual to your getting ready time:
- Meditate together or alone
- Light a candle and set an intention
- Read a poem that means something to you
- Say a prayer or affirmation
- Take a shot of whiskey or sip champagne
- Play your favorite record
These quiet moments ground you, calm your nerves, and give your photographer a chance to capture something real and raw.
7. Do a First Look (If You Want To)
The first look doesn’t have to be dramatic or overly staged. But it is a chance to connect with your partner in private before the day unfolds.
If you’re getting ready separately, a first look can be a beautiful transition from anticipation to celebration. It can be emotional, funny, or just quietly meaningful. Either way, it's a moment that becomes incredibly photogenic because the emotion is so real.
If you’re getting ready together, you can still have a moment where you both step into your full outfits and take each other in with fresh eyes. There’s no “right” way to do it—only what feels right for you.
8. Trust Your Photographer’s Eye
As a photographer, my job is to make you feel comfortable and to notice the things you don’t even realize are beautiful—the way your fingers shake slightly while writing your vows, the sunlight on your collarbone, the smirk on your face when you see yourself fully dressed.
Trust your photographer to guide you. That might mean:
- Turning off overhead lights to make use of natural light
- Asking you to move closer to a window
- Suggesting a cozy corner with less clutter
- Gently prompting you to pause, breathe, or try something again
Getting ready photos are more than portraits—they’re storytelling. And the best stories come when you trust your photographer and let yourself feel.
9. Let Go of Perfection
The most impactful photos are rarely the most “perfect” ones. They’re the in-between, the real, the imperfectly beautiful.
Don’t worry if your hair is still pinned up, if your eyes look a little tired, or if your Airbnb has a few coffee mugs on the counter. Don’t obsess over the mirror being smudged or the floor being dusty.
If you’re present and connected to the moment, your photos will be magic. I promise.
10. Make This Part of the Experience, Not Just a Checklist Item
Too often, couples think of getting ready photos as something they “should” include. But when you shift your mindset and treat it as a core memory instead of a checklist item, it becomes something you feel instead of just pose for.
This part of your elopement day can be:
- Sacred and slow
- Laugh-filled and light
- Nostalgic and emotional
- Whatever you want it to be
So light that incense, put on your favorite record, and let your photographer capture the real you—the version that’s about to walk into one of the most beautiful chapters of your life.
Final Thoughts
Your getting ready photos are the start of your elopement story—and they deserve to be just as intentional, beautiful, and emotional as every other part of your day.
By slowing down, choosing meaningful details, and creating space to connect with yourself (and your partner), you’ll give your photographer the opportunity to capture magic. Not just the way you looked—but the way you felt.
And that, my friend, is the real beauty.
Looking for an elopement photographer who values the quiet, meaningful moments just as much as the epic views?
I’d love to be a part of your story. Reach out here to start planning your intentional, soul-centered elopement day.
