Take Bridal Portraits with Your Try-at Home Dress

Who says you have to wait to take bridal portraits until you’ve chosen your wedding dress? In fact, it would be even more exciting to have them done with multiple bridal gowns, like your own personal fashion show! Better yet, why not do all of it at home? Just think, when you get your try-at-home wedding dresses to start looking for your dream gown, you can turn the whole experience into a DIY bridal portraits session starring YOU and your sample dresses! Avery Austin is here to help, both with your try-at-home wedding dress experience and with at-home bridal shoot ideas! Let’s walk through how to set up for your try-at-home bridal photos, explore some stylish, themed inspiration, and go over some general tips to make the most of your DIY bridal portraits.

How to Set Up an At-Home Bridal Shoot

From carefully timing the arrival of your try-at-home bridal gown samples to creating the perfect setting for your DIY bridal portraits, let’s go over the most important things to keep in mind when setting up your at-home bridal shoot.

• Order Samples in Advance: Make sure you’ll have your sample dresses ready to go in time by placing an order for try-at-home wedding dresses in advance. Before scheduling your DIY bridal portraits, carefully check the average timeline for processing orders, shipping and delivery estimates, and return time frames for the sample wedding dresses to make sure you’re not rushed for returns or waiting on delivery.
• Consider Lighting: If your at-home bridal shoot for your wedding dress try-on photos will be indoors, snap a few pictures of yourself in different areas of your home to find an area with the best lighting effect. If windows are open for natural light or you plan to be outside in your yard or patio, don’t forget to take into account how the time of day can alter the lighting, especially when it comes to sun glare! In general, natural light in the morning or early evening is best (direct noon sunlight can be harsh). Remember that you can also add small fun lights, like fairy lights, for atmosphere without getting in the way of the overall room lighting.
• Plan Your Backdrop: Perhaps you want the trees or floral background around your home as your DIY bridal portrait backdrop, or you plan to rearrange some furniture in one room to use it and the wall decor for your try-at-home wedding dress photos. If you haven’t even thought about this yet, do a walk around your home now and consider what furniture and decor you would want in your pictures. Don’t immediately rule out spots like the kitchen or a cozy nook, as these spots can feel even more personal and real when done right! You can also purchase or create your own photo backdrop if you’re feeling extra crafty. Look into fabric backdrops with simple patterns, solid colors, or themed details, then consider other decorative or textured elements, such as a plush throw rug in a coordinating hue, balloon arches or accents, neutral-toned pillows or draped blankets, or floral bouquets in decorative vases.
• Choose Meaningful Props: Are there special family heirlooms, treasured art, or things that show special shared hobbies between you and your fiancé that you’d like to incorporate into some of your try-at-home bridal photos? You could also use props that reflect your personal interests and style, such as a stack of your favorite books, a pair of champagne glasses, or fresh flowers from your garden. It’s sure to make these DIY bridal portraits even more memorable for you in the years to come if you use special props like this.
• Clear the Clutter: Anything that will distract from you, the focus of these DIY bridal portraits, should be cleared away. Even when planning for your backdrop, props, and lighting, remember that leaning toward a minimalist style will keep all eyes on you instead of the gorgeous props you pull into the photoshoot. Remember to check the chosen photo spot carefully for anything you DON’T want in the pictures, like discarded gardening tools or a forgotten water bottle. Keep everything clean, tidy, and organized for the best results.
• Explore Fun Photo Effects: If you’ve got a handheld or full-length mirror, plan some try-at-home wedding dress photos with your reflection. Position yourself in a windy spot or facing a fan to capture gorgeous images of the gown and veil in motion. If there is an interesting floor or sky/ceiling setting, consider having pictures taken from low to the ground or from up high on an upper level, stair, or ladder for a new creative angle.
• Decide on Your Photographer: Will you be hiring a professional, getting help from a skilled friend or family member, or setting up your own wedding dress try-on photos? If you will be in charge, consider the use of a tripod for stability and a camera timer or bluetooth remote to help you get into position before smiling for the capture moment. Remember to suggest to your photographer or friend to mix up the angles of your try-at-home wedding dress photos so you’ll have an assortment of wide shots with the background, mid-shots for focus on the bridal gown, and close-ups for intricate details.

Now that you’ve got plenty of ideas to work with when it comes to setting up your DIY bridal portraits, it’s time to get inspired and decide on a theme!

DIY Bridal Portrait Inspiration

If you’re looking for something a little more than the classic wedding dress try-on photos that focus solely on the dress and accessories, consider some of the at-home bridal shoot ideas below. If one of the DIY bridal portrait ideas below also match with the wedding theme you’re planning, then that’s going to make these photos even more meaningful!

• Natural, Bohemian Vibe: This is definitely the type of try-at-home wedding dress photo session that should be done outdoors (so be extra careful with those sample gowns!). Scout out a vast field, the edge of a forest, or a clear beach, and plan for shots that portray a free-spirited feel (lots of movement, veil trailing back in the breeze, etc.). This is especially effective with try-at-home bridal gowns that feature flowy skirts, floral designs, and loose sleeves or draped off-the-shoulder straps. Check out Avery Austin’s beach wedding dresses to find styles that suit these at-home bridal shoot ideas.
• Modern, Urban Contrast: Use brick walls, industrial rooftops, or cityscapes as your backdrop to create a beautifully bold contrast with your try-at-home wedding dress. Photos could include accessories and props appropriate for a stroll among the urban architecture, such as sneakers, sunglasses, or local street foods. Styles that work best for this type of DIY bridal portrait include minimalist, simple designs in sleek satin or mikado and fitted silhouettes. Explore some great options in Avery Austin’s modern wedding dress collection.
• Sexy Elegance: The perfect combination of luxury and allure, this type of try-at-home wedding dress photo shoot should include fancy decor, glittering backdrops, and accessories or props that bring on the bling. Look for gowns that feature head-turning details, like statement backs or long trains, as well as curve-hugging sheath or mermaid silhouettes. Add in shining satin, long sleeves, or intricate beadwork and you’ve got a sophisticated, sultry style ready for your DIY bridal portraits! Check out Avery Austin’s collection of sexy wedding dresses and you’ll see just what we mean.Vintage Romance: Think antique props, old-fashioned fireplaces and decor, or warm, muted backdrop colors. For this kind of try-at-home wedding dress photo shoot, go for a-line or ball gown wedding dresses with lace, soft tulle, or smooth satin for a dreamy, romantic effect. Explore Avery Austin’s romantic wedding dress collection for inspiration.
• Cottagecore Setting: Beautifully rustic, a cottagecore setting might be a flower garden, cleared-out barn, or cozy floral cottage by a lake. Channel the whimsical feel of this style with laid-back accessories and props, like boots, hats, and warm earthy hues. These try-at-home bridal photos call for gowns with a combination of lace and tulle and a comfortable, loose fit like a-line or sheath. Avery Austin’s collection of rustic wedding dresses has a variety of designs that suit the cottagecore vibe.

You’ve got your theme and know how to plan for your at-home DIY bridal portraits, so now let’s review a few final tips and tricks and then you’ll be ready to go!

General Tips for At-Home Bridal Shoots

Now that you know how to take bridal portraits at home with your try-at-home wedding dress samples, let’s go over a few final pro tips to help you make the most of this exciting experience!

• Snap Every Angle: Don’t just take simple front and back photos of you standing tall. Supplement your try-at-home bridal photos with a variety of other image angles for creative flair and memorable pictures. Consider pictures that include the train flared out or wrapped around to the front, as well as photos from the side to capture sheer cut outs, embellished sleeves, and other details. Strike a pose looking over your shoulder or sit elegantly with your try-at-home wedding dress positioned to show off all of its best features. Don’t forget to include some close up images of special details too.
• Photograph Every Dress: Even if you’re thinking some of the try-at-home bridal gowns will be returned because they aren’t “the one,” it’s still worth including them in your DIY bridal portraits session. Beyond just the fun of modeling bridal fashion, it will also help you keep track of what you like and dislike about certain styles. Then the next time you place a try-at-home wedding dress order, you’ll know which styles to avoid and which ones to give a change!
• Use Clips for Accurate Fit: Sample gowns are rarely the perfect fit. Sometimes you have to get a size or two bigger than you would normally wear because that’s what’s available, and other times the sample styles are just stretched out a bit more than normal from being tried on so many times. Through Avery Austin’s Try-at-Home Program, you’re provided with clips, just like the type that are used in bridal salons. Using these clips in the back (or front if you’re photographing back shots) can give you the best idea of how you would look in the right size with the proper alterations. Don’t hesitate to use them for your DIY bridal portraits, but plan to position yourself strategically so that they don’t show up in your photos!
• Wear the Right Undergarments: While for a casual try-at-home bridal gown experience, it’s not a big deal if your bra straps show, you’ll need to be more particular for an at-home bridal photo shoot. Plan ahead for strapless or sheer styles by choosing undergarments that will blend or hide while still providing support. Keep in mind your choice of bra, underwear, and socks or stockings, as you’ll be trying on different styles that will each fit you differently.
• Plan for a Variety of Accessories: No, you don’t have to purchase a whole bunch of bridal shoes, veils, and jewelry in advance. Go through options you already have in terms of formal shoes and jewelry, then tap into your friend and family network to see if you could borrow a few more options. This will make it easier for you to put together a full head-to-toe look for each try-at-home wedding dress you’re wearing during your DIY bridal portraits.
• Consider “Getting Ready” Shots: Much like a professional photographer would on your wedding day, you can include some fun candid moments, such as you in a robe before hand, each dress hanging nearby, and flatlay shots of your shoes, jewelry, invitations, and engagement ring arranged together.

Get ready to smile in a variety of try-at-home wedding dresses thanks to these at-home bridal shoot ideas! Let Avery Austin help you plan for your DIY bridal portraits. Create your own box with up to three of these try-at-home wedding dresses, use the tips above to plan out your wedding dress try-on photos, then return your samples with the pre-paid shipping label and order the one you love best with your try-at-home bridal credit (up to $45) that you’ll receive when the samples are returned in good condition. Easy and fun from start to finish, this experience will provide you with beautiful memories to last a lifetime!