A Bride to Be

Wednesday, September 21, 2011








Growing up in Princeton, NJ, I don't think I'd ever heard the words "bridal" and "portraits" together. It's a tradition that's all but unheard of, and it took a wealth of wedding websites, namely Southern ones, to introduce me to the concept. While I still find they're more rarefied than a charming engagement session or even a day-after shoot, they can be so very lovely, like Claire of A Realistic Wedding's portraits can attest to!

Claire praised the opportunity to capture her bridal beauty without all the added stress of the big day; if you're not someone who spends lots of time in front of the camera, it also provides you a few more valuable hours of practice before the wedding. Besides, a day at the beach in Charleston, NC being photographed by the talented Richard Israel in your darling lace reception dress never hurt either!


Tell me, did you have bridal portraits taken, or do you plan to? Or are they simply not your speed?
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30 comments:

  1. LisaSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    I definitely want to! I figure the more opportunities to wear my dress, get to know my photographer, and take pictures that I then won't have to stress about on my actual wedding day, the better :)

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  2. LucindaSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    ahhh lovely Princeton....we have family there!! Gorgeous Images!!

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  3. AprilSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    I think that's a really cool idea. Definitely would be less stressful! And you could always redo them if you hated them. Which wouldn't exactly work with your whole wedding, right? haha

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  4. UnknownSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    These are really nice shots, I don't see anything wrong with getting them done. Looks fun.

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  5. ChelseaSeptember 21, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    I had kind of forgotten about bridal portraits...But, I am still trying to pull together an engagement shoot so that might explain it...xo

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  6. lizzieSeptember 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    very cool! they turned out so natural and beautiful...

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  7. jacin {lovely little details}September 21, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    so so gorgeous :)

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  8. Tiffany KadaniSeptember 21, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    I totally wanted to but it just wasn't in the budget. All the people I knew in Utah took them. Also (I know this sounds horrible) I didn't feel pretty enough.

    But I should have. I love these bridals. Definitely unique and free.

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  9. BrancoprataSeptember 21, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Claire looks so peaceful in these photos!!

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  10. Hindsight BrideSeptember 21, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Practice is good. I always love the excuse to wear the gown more than once!

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  11. VictoriaSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    I didn't get them done. All of these are just as beautiful as the first time I saw them! Claire is lovely.

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  12. AlexaSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Oh wow, never heard of this either. But you know, she does look rather relaxed. ;)

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  13. Paper MossSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Beautiful!! I think it's a great idea :)

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    I didn't know bridal portraits were a Southern thing! Yes, I had them :)

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  15. SigneSeptember 21, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    I have never heard of it, but I sure like the idea! And she looks just lovely :)

    Not to mention thos red dreams you were showing yesterday ♥

    Hugs and a happy Wednesday!
    Signe

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  16. AmberSeptember 21, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    ive never heard of bridal portraits before but any excuse to prance around in my wedding dress sounds good to me

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  17. this free birdSeptember 21, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    She's gorgeous--I bet she doesn't eat 10 cookies a day.

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  18. postcards and prettiesSeptember 21, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Claire looks gorgeous!

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  19. Mary ShouvlinSeptember 21, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Gorgeous! Love her dress!

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  20. Aleah + Nick ValleySeptember 21, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Beautiful! Claire is just so gorgeous! This is such a fantastic idea, too!

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  21. the southern hostessSeptember 21, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    I didn't do bridal portraits, but I love how real and fun these are.

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  22. jenSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    you know i've never heard of them either.

    life spelled jen

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  23. Gorgeous GlamSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    These are great photos, she looks really romantic in them!

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  24. audrey marieSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    such a cool idea - and these pictures are gorgeous

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  25. LaicieSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Gorgeous!! My photographer lives on the other side of the country, so I'm afraid I might not get the chance to do a dedicated bridal session... but you never know :)

    (and oh those red shoes... I die)

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  26. Mighty BurnsSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    these are beautiful. what a cutie pie. I will have to see what kind of a boat I am in. But Id love to have them done!

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  27. PalomaSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Um I love both of you. Claire you look AMAZING! And yes, I think if the time does come, I would love to do a session like this :)

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  28. Rhiannon BosseSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Claire is so so gorgeous :)

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  29. ######September 25, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    we were so broke..no pictures...we didnt even take photos on our wedding day..but 14 years later, we are! good luck!

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  30. katieSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    what a beautiful, natural-looking bride. I did not do bridal portraits - the thought just freaked me out too much (& also seemed a little unnecessary). but these are beautiful!

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