The Bride

1. Bride Getting Ready Guide

We’ve put together a simple guide for brides who are planning their big day and might not know where to begin. While every wedding is unique and personal, this overview provides a general idea to help you feel more confident and relaxed as you prepare.

1.1 Capturing the Final Makeup Touches 

Since the bride typically needs around two hours for hair and makeup, we usually begin the day by photographing the groom getting ready. By the time we arrive at the bride’s location, makeup is usually about 90% complete—perfect timing to capture a few elegant makeup shots.

As the final touches are being done, we often invite the bride’s mum or sister to help with a light touch-up by the window. Including a family member in this moment adds emotional depth and makes the photos even more personal and memorable.

1.2 Bridal Party Photos Before Getting Dressed

While the bride is finishing her hair, we take the opportunity to photograph the wedding dress and accessories—this helps save time and ensures every detail is captured beautifully.

Girls time is a must! Once hair and makeup are complete, the bride can slip into her personalised wedding pyjamas for some relaxed, fun moments with the bridal party. It’s the perfect time to pop some champagne, share a few laughs, and get those natural, candid shots that reflect your joy and excitement.

If you’d like, we can also take a few beautiful portraits in front of your wedding dress before you change.

When it’s time to get into the dress, we’ll step aside to give you some privacy. During this time, we’ll capture the room setup, bridal details, and candid moments with any guests who may have started to arrive.

1.3 Bride Getting Ready Photos

Once you’re dressed, we’ll begin capturing the full getting-ready sequence—starting with the bride putting on her earrings, necklace, and bracelet. We often rotate bridesmaids during this process so everyone gets a chance to be part of the photos.

For the most important moment—putting on the veil—we usually invite the bride’s mum to do it. If you’re unsure how to place the veil, no worries! Here’s a helpful YouTube link to guide you through it.

1.4 Family Photos & Bridal Portrait

Then it’s time for family photos. We’ll start with parents, followed by the bridal party, siblings, and other close family members. Since this is often the first time they see the bride in her wedding dress, it’s a deeply emotional moment filled with smiles, hugs, and happy tears.

As professional wedding photographers, we’re always ready to capture those heartfelt reactions. These images often become some of the most meaningful from the day, and we’ll make sure everyone looks their best while keeping the vibe relaxed and joyful.

If there’s still time before the ceremony, we love to take a few solo bridal portraits. The bride can hold her bouquet, be softly covered by her veil, or sit on a designer chair—simple, relaxed shots that show your natural beauty and quiet moments before the day unfolds.

Finally, it’s time to head out. Don’t be nervous—with Viva Weddings, we’re always by your side to ensure everything feels smooth, calm, and completely stress-free.

Click the link to see The Groom Getting Ready guide.

2. How to Find The Right Photographer

Based on my eight years of experience in wedding photography, it’s usually the bride who decides which photographer to choose. That’s why I’m sharing this article on this page.

2.1 Make sure your photographer took the photos on the website

You may have visited hundreds of wedding photographers’ websites and felt overwhelmed by their stunning photos. But if I were looking for a wedding photographer for my own wedding, the first thing I would ask the studio is: Did the photographer who will attend my wedding take all those photos?

Here’s a bit of insider knowledge: before I started my own business, many studios paid me extra to shoot weddings they believed could be used for their promotional galleries. None of the photographers in their studio could produce that style of work, but they wouldn’t explain this to clients. As a result, clients would assume those photos were taken by the studio’s team. Eventually, the final photos they received were completely different from what was shown in the promotion.

At Viva Weddings, we guarantee that the photographer who took the photos on our website will be the one attending your wedding.

2.2 Ask to See Complete Client Galleries

In Brisbane or other city, some photographers focus only on “money shots” and neglect other essential photos. Why? Because money shots look great on websites and social media, while the others seem too plain. But is that true? Absolutely not.

I always like to see things from the couple’s perspective. Photos like family moments, guest interactions, dancing photos and ceremony shots may not be as striking as golden hour portraits, but they are deeply personal and unique. These are the moments that truly set your wedding apart.

That’s why you should ask the studio for complete client galleries. This will show you how many photos they typically deliver and how much attention they give to family, guests, and candid moments — not just the posed location shots.

At Viva Weddings, we typically take around 4,000 photos during an 8-hour wedding. After removing similar shots, the final gallery usually includes over 1,000 non-repetitive photos.

2.3 Ensure That You Will Receive the Full-size Images

This has become a common trend in many Brisbane wedding photography studios — you’re charged extra for prints, and to prevent you from printing on your own, they only provide low-resolution photos. These may look fine on a monitor but will be blurry when you want to enlarge them for prints.

To avoid this, always confirm with the studio before signing the contract. If they don’t mention it, be sure to ask.

At Viva Weddings, we care more about your experience than charging extra. All photos will be delivered in full resolution, ready for high-quality prints. To learn more about the services we offer, please visit our pricing page.

3. How to Find the Right Makeup Artist

A makeup artist is just as important as your photographer. Great makeup can take your wedding and your photos to the next level. Based on my experience working with hundreds of makeup artists, here are some tips to help you avoid choosing the wrong one.

3.1 What Is a Good Makeup Artist?

If the makeup artist has a website, make sure their portfolio showcases a variety of hairstyles. Poor makeup artists typically know only a few styles, and in bridal makeup, the hairstyle is often the most important element. Ensure that your makeup artist can create different hairstyles to suit your preferences and the style of your wedding.

Additionally, understand your own face shape and ask the makeup artist to show you previous clients with similar features. This will help you judge whether they have experience working with your specific face type. Don’t just look at beautiful brides with different face shapes—focus on examples that resemble your own.

3.2 Never Skip Your Makeup Trial

Don’t try to save money by skipping the makeup trial. It’s an additional cost, but it’s absolutely worth it. A trial allows the makeup artist to get to know you better, and during this session, you can discuss all the details and confirm the final look. This will save valuable time on your wedding day, as the artist will already understand exactly what you want.

After the trial, both of you will feel more confident and ready to work efficiently on the day. If you’re not happy with the trial results, don’t hesitate to find someone else—never let a bad makeup artist ruin your wedding.

A makeup trial also helps identify any allergic reactions to the products used. It’s far better to discover this early, so you have time to adjust or change products or artists before your big day.

3.3 Attitude Matters

A good makeup artist should have a positive, professional attitude and genuinely care about your needs. Even if an artist has won awards, a poor attitude often means they prioritise only high-paying clients and may not give your wedding the attention it deserves.

Choose someone who responds promptly, patiently discusses your preferences, listens carefully, and is willing to answer all your questions without frustration. The right attitude ensures a smooth, enjoyable experience, and helps you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.