What is a bridal portrait session? This question is probably only gets asked if you live on the West Coast or the Northeast — hi, hello, my coastal babies! Because couples in the South have long practiced the bridal portrait session. This type of photo shoot is the perfect opportunity to get gorgeous photos in your wedding attire on a day that’s not your actual wedding. Why? Lots of reasons – maybe you want to take as few portraits as possible on your actual wedding day, so you can live in the moment but still want those gorgeous portraits, or maybe you want to try something a little different or edgier than the look of your actual wedding – like an editorial bridal portrait session.

Bridal portrait sessions can be with both partners or just one, they can be before or after your wedding, you can wear your actual wedding attire or something else (hi, your wedding photos don’t need to follow a certain set of rules – ever).

My gorgeous client eloped out of state but wanted some additional getting-ready photos and some more photos that really showed off both of her dresses – one was her mom’s wedding dress, and it still looks so fashionable and gorgeous. She loved her wedding day photos and did an amazing job being in the moment on her wedding day, so a bridal portrait session was the perfect opportunity to have fun, play dress up, and make some intentionally artful portraits.

The Lodge at St Edward’s Park in Kirkland, WA, is the most stunning backdrop for an editorial bridal portrait session. With an art gallery hall, a stunning bar, and lots of chic little corners throughout the property, we could have taken photos all day.

Bridal portraits are the perfect way to express yourself outside of wedding-day pressures. I always include a complimentary portrait session for my wedding clients, because to me, you are art. Let’s start making something beautiful together.