Bridal shoot...?

KnickerGold

I made an appointment to try on wedding dresses at a local salon last week and they asked a number of questions, some of which I didn't really understand the need for: how many bridesmaids? names & age of the people coming with you?
But the oddest of all was "are you doing a bridal shoot?"
I asked what this is- a photo shoot with you in your dress well before the wedding, so you can have large pictures/posters of you at your ceremony/reception.
I asked if it was bride & groom, and she said "usually bride only".

So knotties, do people really do this? Have blown up pictures of the bride in her wedding dress all over the ceremony/reception? I could *maybe* see it if it was B&G but bride only seems odd. 

charlotte989875

My sense is that this is more common in the south. I'm originally from New York and had never heard of it (and didn't do one) but since I've been living in NC I've seen and heard about it more. The pictures of the bride in her dress are displayed at the reception.

KnickerGold

charlotte989875 said:

My sense is that this is more common in the south. I'm originally from New York and had never heard of it (and didn't do one) but since I've been living in NC I've seen and heard about it more. The pictures of the bride in her dress are displayed at the reception.

Yes, I'm from NY, but live in Texas, so had never heard of them. I guess I just find it odd... Oh well!

justsie

In the south its really common, I live in Texas and I've seen this a ton. (This is "grooms cakes"). I think it gives brides an opportunity to do something with their hair and makeup trials, or at least that's what I see it as. Not a requirement and not something that is going to missed if you don't do it. 

Knottie1432705850

Bridal sessions can take place either before or after the wedding, and they can include the groom as well--it's really up to you. Some photographers recommend bridals as a way to capture beautiful images that aren't always possible on the day of your wedding.

If beautiful photographs of the two of you are especially important, a bridal session can be a great choice.

holyguacamole79

I live in Texas, and bridal shoots are quite common.  I had one and used it to test hair & makeup (and get some pics).  Our photographer included in her price a larger framed photo from the bridal pics.  We displayed it in the entry of the reception.  It now hangs in my parents' house.

KnickerGold

Ah ok, thanks all. I think I'll skip this, but was curious as to if people actually did this! I'd have no idea what to do with a large picture of me in my house lol, other than be uncomfortable.  

holyguacamole79

KnickerGold said:

Ah ok, thanks all. I think I'll skip this, but was curious as to if people actually did this! I'd have no idea what to do with a large picture of me in my house lol, other than be uncomfortable.  

Yeah, that's why mine is hanging in my parents' house.  I would definitely be weirded out by a big formal pic of me hanging in our house.

kimmiinthemitten

Knottie20882556 said:

Hi Knickergold!

Yes, it's common to display a canvas or print from the bridal shoot at the reception. The salon probably wanted to know about the bridesmaids because often the shops will dress the whole wedding party. They want to know their names so they can address them by name, and their ages so that they can suggest appropriate attire. Have fun trying on the dresses! 

You should probably edit your signature line; I believe it violates TOU:

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What does that mean exactly? No posts about your business, at all.

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Knottie1463423268

It's definitely a Southern thing. Also, these portraits are used in the newspaper announcements, which usually run right after the wedding.