Hello blushing brides, gallant grooms, and matrimonial majesties, it’s time to talk about bridal boudoir!
Schedule a free consultation or keep reading for more information!
What is Bridal Boudoir?
A bridal boudoir session is a boudoir photoshoot typically before your wedding (more on exceptions to this rule later!). Some people do this just to have a sexy and fun experience during a time when so much of their energy is involved in the stress and technical details of planning their special day. Some people do it to give the results—like photo albums, prints, or digital images—to their special someone as a gift. Maybe it’s a night-before treat, or a morning-of tease, or something sweet to share with your partner on the honeymoon, but no matter when you choose to give them the goods, it’s bound to knock their socks off.
Bridal Boudoir photoshoots are a fun pre-wedding celebration of self-love, and an opportunity to give your new spouse a bespoke gift they’ll never forget!
What makes Bridal Boudoir Different?
Maybe nothing! Like any other boudoir photoshoot, your bridal boudoir session can be customized to your unique needs and style. Will you lean into wedding whites, or capture a little naughty energy with something black and skimpy? Do you want sensual satin sheets, or something light and glowy? Select a theme that coordinates with your wedding, or get the best of both worlds and pick colors or elements you couldn’t fit into the special day.
Bridal boudoir is a great opportunity to showcase the details you lovingly selected; shoes, veil, jewelry, and underthings might not get the spotlight on your wedding day, but they can shine in a boudoir session. Bring your something blue and enjoy an upbeat session to savor your marital anticipation! You’ll get beautiful photos, without the hectic pressure of trying to fit everything into your wedding day.
Say yes to undress?
Boudoir photography doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be in your underwear for the photos, if that isn’t in your comfort zone. I’ve included some gorgeous fully-dressed options to keep this social media share friendly. But for those who love to show a little skin, your imagination is the limit here. You’re welcome to have some styling help from the Neon Velvet Studio client closet if you want to enjoy some dress up! Or maybe you’re looking to wear the most timeless outfit for your session: nothing at all! You can read more about nude boudoir here.
The important thing with any photoshoot is that you feel like your most comfortable best self for your photos. I offer all my clients a complimentary consultation call (or email if you’re phone averse) before booking to make sure I understand what your needs are and how I can meet them.
Bridal Boudoir Planning
Some helpful timeline information, if you’re looking to schedule bridal boudoir with me:
- Book in advance if you can! This will ensure you the most choice of dates with me and my hair and makeup artist.
- Have an idea of whether you want digital images or a physical album! Albums add to prep and delivery times for design, manufacture, and shipping.
- Know when you want to give. If the results of your bridal boudoir shoot are a gift, know when you need the products by.
- Your photoshoot date should be at least 4 weeks before your gifting date for digital items, and 6-8 weeks before your gifting date for albums and prints.
- All Neon Velvet Studio sessions include a complimentary consultation, wardrobe assistance, pose coaching, and hair and makeup styling! You can opt out of any of this, but we love to spoil you and we love when you let us!
- Bachelorette party/Bridal party packages are an option if you want to make it a fun party with your besties!
If adding something else to your pre-wedding calendar isn’t sparking joy, you can always revisit your bridal energy after the wedding. Even if you love your wedding photos you might be wanting more detail shots, or something sexier, or your own Vogue-inspired editorial style photos! The wedding day is about you as a couple committing to your life together; a boudoir photoshoot can be all about you, babe!
And honestly using your wedding garb after the wedding is great because you won’t worry about keeping it pristine for the special day, and it’s an excuse to wear all these beautiful pieces again (in whole or in part)!
Beyond the perks of the experience, photo albums and prints make great anniversary gifts to surprise your babe and help keep some whimsy thriving. Traditional 1st anniversary paper gift idea winner? I think so! 3rd anniversary leather? Embossed leather album cover (or, ahem, something spicier for the photo contents)! Or you can really get cute about it, and see if your new spouse wants to do a couples photoshoot together to commemorate the date!
capture the magic
Bridal boudoir doesn’t have to lean so bridal or traditional to be beautiful! I know I have a lot of goth baddies in my network, and I want to see every single one of your alternative bridal ideas! Here are some other options just to get you thinking of how your dream bridal boudoir session could look—it might have nothing to do with your wedding garb at all!
SAY LESS I’M ALREADY READY