Bridal Prep

Getting ready is half the fun of the day

Warpaint and Glad rags

Bridal prep is chaos; the air is charged with the mixed aromas of hairspray and prosecco. The sound of scissors and hairdryers hangs in the air, with the occasional "can you do me up?" shouted across the room. The hairspray hangs heavy in the air like the steam from a witch's cauldron. It’s the chaos before the calm, the laughter in the mirror, and usually the moment mum gets misty-eyed watching it all come together. It can feel quite strange being the only bloke in the room watching this ancient ritual.

Unlike the formal staged moments from the obligatory group shots, this is raw, and anything could happen; there are minor dramas that at the time seem like epic movie plot lines. Enough prosecco to float a battleship is consumed. Knocks on the door are answered by who’s that? The disappointment that follows when it’s not the long-awaited bacon butties is palpable.

As a documentary photographer (oooh, did I really write that?) My job is not to rearrange your makeup table or tell everyone to smile. I’m there to capture the morning as it unfolds, warts and all. From the smiles to that big bubble of snot on the end of mum’s nose when she’s crying (always a priceless shot). I will help if and when I can, but I’m crap at makeup and styling hair.

You can be sure that wherever you are getting ready, be it your mam and dad’s house, a big swanky hotel or in a cupboard under the stairs. I’ve got you covered, and you can’t scare me because I have kids. Although I may shed a little tear myself, I have been known to in the past. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

The morning sets the tone for the entire day. If you want a photographer who will blend in, share a laugh, and capture the real, unscripted excitement while you get ready, I'd love to hear your story.