When you’re preparing for your wedding day, there are so many different details to consider. Bridesmaid dresses, centerpieces, bouquets, tuxedos, seating charts, a wedding day gift for your fiance….the list goes on. Cross one item off that list with a bridal boudoir photography shoot – the ultimate wedding gift for your fiancé.

Bridal boudoir photography is one of the most popular gifts among brides. The best-kept secret about bridal boudoir? It doubles as a gift to yourself. It is a way for you to celebrate yourself today and boost your confidence before your wedding day. The women at my boudoir studio regularly say it started as a gift for their fiance but turned into a gift for themself. When you give boudoir photos as a wedding gift for your fiance, you can feel confident it’s a gift you will both love.

Keep reading to learn more about bridal boudoir photography from my first-hand insights as an Omaha boudoir photographer.

What Is Bridal Boudoir Photography?

Bridal boudoir photography is a genre of photography that captures the intimate and sexy side of a bride-to-be. It is a way of celebrating yourself and your femininity before your wedding day. 

My style of boudoir photography is feminine, soft, and approachable. Think of boudoir photos with me as classy portraits in your favorite lingerie.

Typically, these photographs are taken in a private setting, such as a boudoir studio, and showcase the bride in lingerie or your favorite comfy clothing. The images are often tasteful, highlighting the bride’s curves, skin, smile, and other features.

After a bridal boudoir photography session, you’ll receive back professionally edited images to remember this fun time in your life. You’ll leave feeling empowered, confident, and beautiful. Many brides choose to give the photographs as a gift to their fiancé, while others even make their own prints to tape on their mirror as a daily affirmation.

Why Do a Bridal Boudoir Photoshoot?

There are so many reasons to consider a bridal boudoir photoshoot! But one of the biggest benefits is the boost in self-confidence it can provide. I cannot tell you how many brides feel nervous or self-conscious leading up to their big day! They want their dress and all the little details to be perfect, and sometimes fret about them. But with the guidance of a skilled photographer and a supportive environment, doing a boudoir photo shoot can help you feel empowered and beautiful! 

At my private Omaha boudoir photography studio, many of my brides say that their session was a great way to have fun, relax and feel good about themselves during the high-stress wedding planning process. One said it was the first time she got excited and really felt like a bride outside of trying on her wedding dress!

What to Wear to a Bridal Boudoir Photography Shoot

This is by far the most common question I get from my bridal boudoir clients. Choosing an outfit (or multiple outfits) for a boudoir photo shoot can be so overwhelming! But this is one of my favorite parts of the process, and something I love helping my brides with! 

When planning a bridal boudoir photoshoot and choosing what to wear, it’s important to consider the type of images you want to create. Boudoir photos can range from sensual and intimate to fun and casual, depending on your personality and style. Always make sure to chat with your boudoir photographer in advance to ensure your styles align well and your outfit choices will support the kind of photos you hope to get.

Most brides choose lingerie, but there is a wide range of options when it comes to what to wear to a bridal boudoir shoot.

Boudoir Wedding Dress

One really memorable idea is to include your wedding dress in a boudoir shoot. While this may not work well with every dress, it can create a really beautiful and memorable photo to show you slipping into (or out of) your dress in boudoir photos.

Bridal Boudoir Robe

A white, silky robe is another great option for a bridal boudoir outfit. Robes can be worn and styled in many different ways for boudoir photography and can also be re-used on your wedding day as a getting-ready outfit.

Bridal Boudoir Lingerie

Bridal boudoir lingerie is definitely the most popular choice for boudoir photoshoots. There are so many beautiful lingerie options out there designed specifically for brides. White, lacy outfits are always popular for pre-wedding boudoir photos, but you don’t have to go the traditional route. Choose whatever will make you feel like your most confident self!

Bridal Jewelry and Accessories

You certainly don’t need a ton of accessories to take beautiful bridal boudoir photos, but jewelry can offer a nice touch to some photos. Your engagement ring, for example, can be made a focal point in some shots. If you have earrings or a necklace you plan to wear on the big day, you may want to incorporate those into some of your boudoir photos too.

Other Outfit Options

My favorite thing is when someone picks out an outfit that really represents them! That can be something like a Calvin Klein set for my casual gals, a strappy lounge set for my badasses, or a white bridal lingerie set for my girly girls. Whatever you choose to do for your boudoir session, I can make recommendations based on your style and send you links to amazing outfits.

What to Expect at Your Bridal Boudoir Photography Shoot

Every boudoir studio is different, so it’s important to chat in detail with your photographer before preparing for your shoot. But here’s how bridal shoots work at my Omaha boudoir photography studio.

Prepping for Your Shoot

There are many ways you can get yourself ready for your bridal boudoir photoshoot, but some of the most important are hair and makeup. While professional hair and makeup are certainly not required to have a successful shoot, I always recommend them.

Getting hair and makeup done professionally takes the stress off of you to do it yourself, and it’s a great way to get pampered and relax before your session. Ever feel anxious or get hot before something like this? My nerves do that to me today! Getting your hair and makeup done gives you an extra hour to cool down. At my Omaha boudoir studio, I recommend my favorite hair and makeup artist who can get you ready in the studio on the day of your session.

You’ll arrive ahead of your shoot, get ready with her, and then be relaxed and excited to start photos!

Getting Comfortable

Once your hair and makeup are done, it’s time to start getting comfortable in the space where you’ll be taking photos. For my clients, that means taking a tour of the studio and seeing the different spaces in which we can take photos.

My Omaha studio features privacy blinds and sheer curtains to ensure you feel safe walking around in your outfits for the shoot. Once you’ve gotten to explore the space, we’ll head back to the dressing room to choose your final outfits and get changed.

Understanding Bridal Boudoir Poses

Bridal boudoir photography poses are the most essential part of creating beautiful images. But don’t think you need to practice them at home! Poses are designed by me and my team to be flattering and highlight your best features. Poses can range from intimate, romantic and saucy to playful and fun.

We typically take some photos lying down, some sitting and some standing. But don’t stress about knowing or practicing specific poses ahead of time. I’ll demonstrate each and every pose for you before we take each photo. Seriously, I’ll show you head to toe.

If you’re having trouble with a pose or need help adjusting your hair or outfit once you’re in the pose, I’m right there to jump in and help. I always ask for your consent before touching you or your outfit to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the shoot. I’m the kind of gal that wants you to LOVE your photos. I won’t let you forget about hair in your mouth or a hair tie on your wrist. I’ll help you perfect these photos to the max!

How Long is a Boudoir Photography Shoot?

The length of your bridal boudoir photography shoot will depend on the photographer you’re working with and the package you choose. At my Omaha boudoir photography studio, for example, I offer three boudoir packages varying in length from 30 minutes to 75 minutes.

Additional options like in the sheets, a bathtub session, or other add-ons can add more time to your session for an extra fee. Between hair and makeup, touring the studio and taking photos, you can expect to dedicate about two to three hours on bridal boudoir photography.

How to Choose a Boudoir Photographer

Choosing the right photographer for a bridal boudoir shoot is crucial. It is important to choose a photographer who is experienced in this genre of photography and who can create a comfortable and safe atmosphere. The photographer should be able to provide guidance and support throughout the shoot and help you feel relaxed and confident.

At my Omaha, NE boudoir studio, for example, the entire experience is set up to ensure your privacy is protected and you feel safe. I only allow women in the studio while you are there and our team is all-woman.

We don’t share the address of our boudoir studio until you’ve booked a session. And our boudoir Instagram account is always kept private so we can control who sees your images. 

As a bridal boudoir client, you also get the right to not share your images publicly, saving them for yourself and your fiance alone.

Another important way to ensure you’re choosing the best bridal boudoir photographer is to look at their existing work. Ask to review a portfolio and check out their work on social media and their website.

There are many different styles of boudoir photography, from dark and sensual to light, bright and playful. Make sure that the photographer you choose has a style that matches up with yours. My style is approachable, pretty, and simple.

How to Use Your Bridal Boudoir Photos: Boudoir Photography Ideas for Wedding Gift

One of the most common reasons a bride decides to do boudoir photography is to give her fiance a wedding. But there are so many ways to use your boudoir photos.

Bridal Boudoir Album

Boudoir photos can be printed in a custom album with full-color photos, high-quality paper and custom layouts. This is one of the most common ways to use boudoir photos as a gift or personal keepsake. The first time you look through it, you are going to be shocked at how amazing you look in print!

At my Omaha boudoir studio, I offer traditional albums or a mini album I call the “Little Black Book.” This smaller-sized album is a great option for your fiance to keep with them when traveling or to keep in the side table of your bedroom!

Bridal Boudoir Wall Print

Don’t be afraid to display those bridal boudoir photos proudly! They may not be a piece you hang in your living room (no judgment at all if you decide to do that though!). But boudoir photos are great for decorating a master bedroom, master bathroom or even walk-in closet. Print your photos on canvas, metal or as a framed photo to fit your personal style. I have had many women print these photos for their closet or bathroom!

Wedding Day Gift 

I love the idea of surprising your fiance with a boudoir photo on your wedding day. Send a card with a photo enclosed to the room where they’re getting ready to share a sneak peak of what there is to look forward to after your big day. It’s a gift that won’t soon be forgotten!

Ready to Book Your Bridal Boudoir Photography Session?

Bridal boudoir photography is a fun way for a bride-to-be to celebrate this exciting time. If you’re ready to book your own boudoir session, don’t wait!

Contact Erin Ren Photography to get all the details on working with our Omaha, NE boudoir photography studio and pick the package that’s right for you. I can’t wait to celebrate you in the boudoir studio!!!