A calm wedding morning starts with the right preparation.
Discover 10 essential things every bride should have ready before getting into her wedding dress.
Over 15 years of photographing weddings, we’ve learnt that the calmest bridal mornings happen when there’s a small “getting dressed kit” ready to hand. It avoids last-minute stress, keeps everything running smoothly, and leaves enough time for some of the most beautiful photographs of the day.
As well as sharing these items we will highlight a few timing stress points that it is good to avoid! Make sure you know who you want to help get you into the dress and organise hair and make up timings so these people are fully ready as you also finish with hair and make up.
**Your hair and makeup artists are probably going to want to take some social media content of their work. Can you please ask that this is done within their allocated time slot so that it doesn’t creep into ours. It can be a little frustrating waiting for them to get what they need in our precious ‘bridal prep’ slot. If they also want content of you fully ‘ready’ can they be asked to wait until we have got the professional shots rather than trying to work alongside us. Too many cameras/devices can really affect your nervous pre-ceremony experience.
Here are the items we always recommend having nearby:
1. A Button Hook (for Satin Buttons)
If your dress has delicate satin buttons running down the back or sleeves, you’ll want one of these.
A button hook is a small metal tool designed to pull the tiny loops over the buttons without hurting your fingers or stretching the fabric. It also helps nervous Mums with shaky hands….
Some dresses have dozens of buttons, and this little tool can easily save 20 minutes of dressing time.
A crochet hook can work in a pinch, but a proper button hook is best.
2. Boob Tape and Fashion Tape
Even perfectly fitted dresses sometimes need a little help once you’re moving around.
Having boob tape or double-sided fashion tape nearby means you can quickly fix things like:
-
Necklines that shift slightly
-
Strapless dresses that need extra support
-
Fabric that won’t quite sit flat
It’s a tiny item that can make a huge difference to comfort and confidence. We never go to weddings without it!
3. A Small Sewing Kit
Buttons pop, loops break, straps twist.
It doesn’t happen often — but when it does, having a small sewing kit nearby can be invaluable.
Include:
-
White or ivory thread
-
Needles
-
Safety pins
-
A few spare buttons if your dress came with them
Most fixes take less than a minute when the right things are close by.
4. Sharp Scissors
This is one of the items photographers and planners are most often asked for.
You might need them for:
-
Removing dress tags
-
Cutting ribbon loops
-
Snipping loose threads
-
Opening packaging
It sounds simple, but scissors can save a surprising amount of time.
5. Cotton Gloves
For dresses with lots of delicate buttons or fine fabrics, cotton gloves can be incredibly helpful.
They:
-
Provide better grip when fastening buttons
-
Help prevent makeup or fake tan marks on the dress
-
Protect delicate fabrics like silk or satin
Many bridal stylists use them when dressing brides.
6. A Stain Removal Pen
Even the calmest mornings can involve a little champagne, coffee and a lot of lipstick!
A stain removal pen or wipes can quickly deal with small marks from:
-
Makeup
-
Lipstick
-
Fake tan
-
Drinks
Used gently and quickly, they can rescue a dress before anyone even notices.
7. Blister Plasters
Wedding shoes are often brand new — and beautiful, but not always broken in.
A couple of blister plasters in your kit can make a big difference once you’re on your feet for the day.
8. Heel Protectors
If your venue has lawns, gravel paths or gardens, heel protectors are incredibly useful.
They’re small clear caps that fit onto the end of your heels and stop them sinking into grass during photographs.
9. Lip Balm and Powder
Once the dress is on, most brides like a quick final touch-up.
A tiny makeup pouch with:
-
Lipstick or lip balm
-
Powder
-
Blotting papers
-
A small mirror
means you can refresh easily before leaving the room.
10. Tissues
This might be the simplest item on the list — but also one of the most important.
Wedding mornings are emotional.
There are often tears when parents see the dress for the first time.
Having tissues nearby means those moments stay joyful rather than chaotic.
Allow Time for the Most Important Portraits
One final piece of advice we give all our brides:
**Aim to be fully dressed at least 30 minutes before you need to leave for the ceremony.
You really need to understand how long it will take to actually get into your dress because it varies dramatically across styles. And remember that the wedding dress shop will get have put it on you quickly because they have years of experience!
That short window allows time for some of the most meaningful photographs of the day, including:
-
Beautiful portraits of you in your dress
-
Quiet moments on your own before the ceremony
-
First looks with parents
-
Bridesmaids seeing the dress for the first time
These are often the photographs that don’t get the time they deserve or you thought that you had allocated! And when everything is calm and unhurried, those moments unfold naturally.
