Bridal Shoot Ideas: Bridal Portraits + Tips for Your Best Photos Ever (2024)

Are you looking for bridal shoot ideas? Perhaps you’d like to do bridal portraits on your wedding day, but you’re not sure exactly what they include? You’ve come to the right place! Today we’re telling you all about bridal portrait ideas to help you plan an incredible shoot, along with inspiring images by Kilmer Kreations. Enjoy!

Let’s answer some questions about bridal portraits first.

What are bridal portraits?

For starters, bridal portraits aka bridal shoots are photos taken solely of the bride. This is your opportunity to capture your entire bridal ensemble from head to toe: your veil or headpiece, beautiful wedding gown, shoes — even your bouquet, which adds a striking splash of color.

When should bridal shoots take place?

Bridal portraits can be taken on your wedding day to capture you exactly as you are.

If you’re worried about the timeline, or your photographer isn’t booked for the entire day, you can take bridal portraits a week or two ahead of the wedding (as long as your wedding dress alterations are complete).

Some brides are doing bridal portraits after the wedding, for fear of messing up the gown ahead of time. In a way, this gives you freedom of using your favorite bridal shoot ideas ANYWHERE, even messy locations like walking in the woods, on the beach along the shoreline, in a field of wildflowers, etc.

You’re going to get your wedding gown cleaned anyway before preserving it, so you may as well go all in! ;) (Tip: Get this kit, it’s a definite dress-saver.)

Do you HAVE TO do bridal portraits?

As in, are they mandatory? No, of course not!

You don’t have to do portraits if you don’t want to. But keep in mind, your bridal shoot can be as simple (or as extravagant) as you’d like it to be; even a few snapshots of you by yourself will suffice. Consider a few full-length shots to capture your gown, train and veil; that is plenty to make a small collection of bridal portraits as a keepsake. Just make sure you add those shots into your “must-have photos” with your photographer.

How to plan the most beautiful bridal portraits

To ensure your bridal portraits come out exceptional, do these things:

1) book your bridal shoot with a professional photographer

Make sure he or she has a style you like, and is easy to work with (and the flip side, make sure you’re easy to work with, too!) ;) They’ll likely have a ton of bridal shoot ideas already!

2) take your bridal portraits somewhere with natural light for the best images (outdoor is best!)

3) add accessories with color to make your portraits pop

Bold shoes or a punchy floral bouquet can add a fun element and to your bridal shoot.

In addition, things like your wedding bolero, wrap, or pashmina can add texture and tie in the season, while a bridal hanger can really add a personalized element to your photo shoot.

Your bridal portraits are also an opportunity to include meaningful heirlooms and jewelry: your something borrowed, like an heirloom brooch or your something blue, like a pair of earrings are great examples.

You’ll also want to take photos of your engagement ring, wedding band, bridal jewelry including shoulder jewelry or tiara, if wearing one.

Finally, your handkerchief, garter, wedding purse, and shoes are other key bridal shoot ideas to capture.

4) select a meaningful location if possible

5) BE YOURSELF! smile, breathe, relax

You’re probably not used to having so many photos taken of yourself… but relax, smile, and enjoy it. You’ll be glad to have taken these snapshots, so go for it and be confident. You’re doing great!

Now that you know more about what bridal portraits, let’s take a look at some bridal shoot ideas! These stunning photos by Kilmer Kreations were taken at Lotus Temple in Salem, Utah to capture wedding dresses by J Noelle Designs with flowers designed by Brittany Field Photography. These bridal shoot ideas are great ones to take note of, from the photos of the bride standing on stairs to display her train to the way the light shines beautifully on the bride’s face in the last image. These portraits are breathtaking. Take a look!

These photos are stunning! Thanks so much to Miranda for sharing.

If you’d like to see more or book a photographer for your bridal shoot, check out more of Miranda’s work on her website.

If you have any questions on bridal shoot ideas, leave ’em in the comments below or email us at Ask Emmaline.

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

P.S. For more tips for the bride, read our bridal archives!

Emma Arendoski

Emma is the CEO of Emmaline Bride, The Handmade Wedding Blog, published author, leading wedding expert, and wedding planner. Read her latest book: The Inspired Wedding. Wife, mother, coffee lover. Follow on Instagram and at Emmaline Baby for baby + kids inspiration.