Stunning & Elegant Bridal Portraits at Duke Gardens | Durham, North Carolina August 2023 Sean Szitas Photography

Elegant & Classic Bridal Portraits at Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina August 2023 by Sean Szitas Photography. Capturing the timeless beauty of the bride amidst the picturesque scenery of the tailored gardens, these stunning bridal portraits exude grace and charm. Set in the enchanting summer backdrop, every frame is a testament to the bride’s radiance and the ethereal ambiance of Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina.

Over the years as a wedding photographer I’ve done my fair share of bridal portraits but I also get asked a lot about bridal portraits and whether or not they are necessary. While the trend is definitely on the decline I still do a few every year and reminded why they are special and fun to photograph!

I do include bridal sessions in my Diamond Package in my wedding photography packages to offer the couple a full photography experience with engagement sessions, bridal portraits and wedding. They are also an add-on for couples that purchased a different package.

In this blog post I’ll answer any lingering questions you may have as a bride-to-be on whether or not you want to have your bridal portraits taken before your wedding. While also showcasing Renee’s gorgeous photos and her gorgeous wedding dress taken last summer at Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina.

Why should I have my bridal portraits taken?

I tell my clients that are interested in having one that a bridal session is basically a great trial run for your hair and makeup artist to make sure that you like the hair style you’ve selected to have on your wedding day. Especially for hair to make sure that it’s done in a way that will hold up throughout the wedding day. You’ll be doing a lot of moving around during the day and you want to make sure your hair will still look fabulous at the end of the night!

Secondly it’s another chance to try on your wedding dress and feel absolutely fabulous the whole time! If you have gotten your dress altered or custom made it’s also a great opportunity to make sure the tailored adjustments hold up with walking around and posing in your wedding dress. And for you to be more comfortable in your wedding dress and posing in it, it’s a chance to really show off how gorgeous you are in your wedding dress!

How many months before my wedding should I schedule my bridal portraits?

Typically your bridal session should be three – two months before your wedding. By then any alterations you have done to your wedding dress should be complete and ready for a trial run, same goes for hair and makeup!

Don’t forget the bouquet!!

For bridal sessions we want to create what you’ll look like on your wedding day so having a similar version of your wedding day bouquet is essential for making the whole look come together! Plus it gives you something to do with your hands when posing. Your florist should be able to provide you with a bouquet for your session.

For Renee I was so happy that I got to photograph her bridal portraits in her oh so gorgeous wedding dress. With its elegant, lace sleeves and bodice with intricate designs and gorgeous train and volume I was so excited to see how it paired with Homewood, their wedding venue. Her choice of doing her bridal portraits at the Duke Gardens was an excellent one! The gardens accented the elegance of her wedding dress and I had a blast posing her in the gorgeous gardens.

What do I get out of my bridal session?

As mentioned before you get the chance to do trial runs on your hair and makeup, your dress and flowers. It’s a priceless opportunity to be more comfortable in your wedding dress on your wedding day and to get more comfortable posing in front of the camera.

What you physically get from your bridal portrait session is 75 edited photos on a downloadable gallery within 2 weeks of your session. Included in the session and built into the cost is a 16×24 gallery wrap canvas from your bridal portraits to display at your wedding! Typically couples will also have done an engagement session that also includes a canvas which helps make your wedding reception more unique with photos of you and your partner! Couples will unveil the canvas of your bridal portraits post ceremony as guests enter the reception space.

More Gorgeous Portraits from Renee’s Session at Duke Gardens!

Some fun info about the Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Located near Duke campus in Durham, North Carolina, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a spectacular oasis for beautiful, landscaped gardens and exhibits.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens has been serving the Duke and Durham communities for more than 80 years.

 In 1934, after a $20,000 contribution from Sarah P. Duke, an iris garden was planted in what is now known as the South Lawn. By 1935, the area contained 100 flower beds.

Produce harvested from the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden — a sustainable, organic food garden — is donated to local organizations that provide food and nutritional education to Durham County families. Part of this garden’s mission is to teach children where their food comes from.

Many features in Duke Gardens contain pieces of history from Durham and beyond, including benches made from old city curbstones, walking paths of historic millstones, and a chicken coop made with recycled lumber from a century-old Oxford textile mill.

Source: https://today.duke.edu/2021/04/stroll-through-duke-gardens-spring