Planning a wedding is an exciting journey with so many special details coming together, but sometimes, not every piece gets the time and love it truly deserves. That’s why I love when my brides opt for a bridal session before the big day! Not only does it give you more time to soak in the magic of being a bride, but it also ensures you have stunning, stress-free bridal portraits without the wedding-day time crunch.

What is a Bridal Session?

A bridal session (also called a bridal portrait session) is a separate photoshoot before your wedding day, where you can take stunning bridal portraits in a more relaxed setting. These sessions allow you the time and space to capture every beautiful detail of your bridal look, so you can fully embrace the moment on your wedding day.

Celebrating the Beauty and Magic of Being a Bride

Bridal portraits are more than just photos—they’re a way to capture the essence of who you are as a bride. They offer a chance to be creative, relax, and preserve timeless memories without the rush of a full wedding timeline. Many brides use these portraits for wedding-day displays, gifts for family, or simply to have a cherished memory of their bridal look.

Grace’s bridal portrait session at Heyward Manor was the perfect example of why these sessions are so special. With a short timeline between booking in October and their December wedding, we opted for a bridal session instead of an engagement session. This session gave us the perfect opportunity to connect, get comfortable in front of the camera, and bring her elegant, editorial vision to life. And let me tell you—it was dreamy in every way! The weather was AMAZING for the time of year, and the grass and leaves still held their beautiful color, which was wonderful! We shot at sunset, so we had gorgeous lighting both inside and outside. Heyward Manor has STUNNING lighting in the evening, and the entire photoshoot felt so serene and calm—exactly what I always want my bridal sessions to feel like!

Why Should You Book a Bridal Session?

1. Build Comfort and Connection Before the Wedding Day

One of the best parts about a bridal session is the extra time it gives us to connect before your wedding! I truly love these sessions because they allow me to build an even stronger relationship with my brides. It’s a chance to see how you move in front of the camera, get to know your personality, style, and body language, and create a comfortable, relaxed experience before the wedding day. By the time your big day arrives, posing feels effortless, and we already have a rhythm—making everything flow smoothly and naturally!

2. It’s a Stress-Free Way to Get Gorgeous Bridal Portraits

On your wedding day, things move fast. Between the ceremony, reception, and family photos, it can be hard to carve out more than 10 minutes of solo bridal portraits while still enjoying your day with your favorite people. A bridal session lets you fully embrace the moment, enjoy the process, and capture stunning images without feeling rushed.

3. It’s the Perfect Trial Run

A bridal portrait session is the best way to see your entire wedding look come together! You’ll get a chance to test your hair, makeup, and accessories in real time. If something needs adjusting (hello, windproof veil hacks or a different lipstick shade), you’ll know before the big day.

4. More Time = More Creativity

Without the constraints of a wedding day timeline, we have time to play! We can experiment with different poses, lighting, and creative shots to make sure you get a variety of bridal portraits that truly showcase your personality.

Grace’s Timeless Bridal Portrait Session at Heyward Manor

For her session, Grace wanted a more editorial feel with some carefree moments too. To make sure we nailed her vision, I had her put together a Pinterest board, which helped me see exactly what spoke to her and caught her eye. We started inside Heyward Manor’s bridal suite, where the natural light made her lace gown absolutely glow. Then, we made our way outside to shoot with the trees, pond, and grass—the golden hour light was pure magic and made everything feel so dreamy!

Around halfway through, I started loosening up the poses since she had warmed up in front of the camera. That’s when we really leaned into the movement and carefree moments—twirling, laughing, and just being in the moment. At the very end, I had her run barefoot through the grass, which was SO fun and truly captured the joy of being a bride! I always love ending sessions on a high note because it’s such a reminder to let loose and embrace the moment—especially when wedding planning can feel wild!

The time I spent with Grace allowed me to quickly learn that she is one of the kindest souls. She radiates gentleness in everything she does, and her light and calming spirit makes her such a joy to be around. It was also the best way for us to get to know each other before her wedding day! By the time her wedding rolled around, we already had a rhythm, making the day feel natural and effortless.

Client Love

“ELY OMG!!! I just got service again and holy crap! You knocked it out of the park!!! I’m posting these asap!! Seriously though thank you times a million! It was everything I wanted and more! You’re the very best!”

Ready to Book Your Bridal Session?

If you’re on the fence about booking a bridal session—do it! It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with your photographer, test out your hair and makeup, and truly soak in the feeling of being a bride. Plus, you’ll walk away with a full gallery of timeless, editorial, and joy-filled bridal portraits to treasure forever.

Let’s make it happen! Reach out to book your session. I can’t wait to celebrate you!

Vendor List

Hair & Makeup: @glossluxurybridal

Spray Tan: @Tigerlilybeautyco

Wedding Dress Boutique: @dressingdreamsbridal, @dressingdreams

Bridal Shoes: @dolcevita

Bride’s Rings: @harlindiamonds

Venue: @heywardmanor