You can trace the origins of bridal portraits to Europe. Bridal portraits have had a strong tradition in the South historically, although they are now extremely popular across the country and the whole world for that matter.

Bridal Portraits

The bridal portrait is a fantastic way of showing off the bridal attire, jewelry and makeup. Bridal portraits are arranged to present the most flattering image of the bride on the eve of her wedding.

You can consider it to be a kind of dress rehearsal for that most memorable day. Bridal portraits can help brides to work out which poses suit them most and the lighting and angles that are most favorable for them. The bridal portrait can help brides determine the best hairstyles and makeup for the special occasion.

The groom is not present during the bridal portrait so that the bride can focus on what works best without any distractions.

In the past, bridal portraits were taken in professional photographer studios and usually involved more serious and stoic poses. The picture often appeared in the newspaper announcements made immediately after the wedding ceremony.

Bridal Portraits Today

However, bridal portraits have become far less solemn and more informal on average. Brides now take the liberty of having the most flattering photos taken at places of their choice rather than the studio. They may now take photos together with their pets as a way of portraying their persona. In short, brides now take photos according to their personal preferences.

Choosing the right frame is as important as the portrait itself. Oval frames are a timeless vintage choice that has stood the test of time. The frame design should be coherent with the rest of the décor to be put on display. Black and gold frames are popular choices.

The bridal portrait can be put on display at the wedding reception near the cake. After the reception, the portrait can be placed in the bride’s room for warm memories.

Some brides choose to put the portrait in the living room or the dining room to make it more prominent.

So although bridal portraits are steeped in tradition, they ultimately are a matter of the bride’s personal preferences.