Wedding Planning

Should I Hire a Photographer for My Rehearsal Dinner?

September 15, 2022

By Updos For I Dos, Your Bridal Hair & Makeup Experts on the East Coast

If you're planning your wedding weekend and wondering, Should I hire a photographer for my rehearsal dinner?, we’re here to give you a clear, confident answer: If it fits within your budget and won’t break the bank, then yes, absolutely hire a photographer for your rehearsal dinner!

Not only does it capture the excitement leading into your wedding day, but it also adds another layer to your overall wedding photo gallery, one filled with real emotion, candid moments, and loved ones gathering to celebrate you!

We’re breaking down why hiring a photographer for your rehearsal dinner might be one of the best decisions you make, and how to make sure you’re fully prepared, starting with professional hair and makeup!

Why You Should Hire a Photographer for Your Rehearsal Dinner

You’re Planning a More Elaborate Rehearsal Dinner

If your rehearsal dinner includes multiple courses, thoughtful décor, customized signage, or a formal dress code, that’s a sign it’s more than just a pre-wedding gathering, it’s a celebration of its own! Don’t let those carefully planned moments go undocumented. A professional photographer will ensure that every detail is beautifully captured.

You’re Hosting a Welcome Party-Style Rehearsal Dinner

Welcome parties and rehearsal dinner hybrids are growing in popularity, especially for destination weddings or East Coast wedding weekends with lots of out-of-town guests. This is often the first big event of the weekend where everyone starts mingling. Hiring a photographer for your rehearsal dinner allows you to capture the buzz, hugs, happy tears, and heartfelt toasts in real time!

The Energy of the Night Deserves to Be Documented

The night before your wedding is filled with laughter, anticipation, and emotion. It’s a slower-paced, more intimate gathering that contrasts beautifully with the fast-moving, high-energy wedding day. These candid moments, family toasts, childhood stories, spontaneous cheers, are worth capturing just as much as your ceremony and reception!

Why You Need Hair & Makeup for the Rehearsal Dinner

Here’s something we always tell our brides:

If you're hiring a photographer for your rehearsal dinner, you should probably (and by probably, we mean definitely!) secure professional hair and makeup.

Whether you’re wearing a sleek white dress or a trendy two-piece, you’ll want to look and feel your best for the camera. At Updos For I Dos, our East Coast bridal beauty team travels to you and provides wedding hair and makeup that lasts all night long! From soft glam to classic waves or chic updos, our artists will ensure you’re flawless and photo-ready, without having to worry about touch-ups all night.

Photos That Complete Your Wedding Story

So many couples tell us that their rehearsal dinner photos are some of their favorites from their most special weekend. They show the excitement before the ceremony, the love between families, and the friendships that brought you to this moment. Your wedding day is filled with structured timelines, but your rehearsal dinner? That’s where the candid magic happens!

Should I Hire a Photographer for My Rehearsal Dinner? Final Thoughts

If it aligns with your budget, hiring a photographer is a decision you’ll never regret! Just don’t forget to schedule your hair and makeup, too. Trust us, you'll thank yourself when you're glowing in every single photo.

Are you planning your East Coast wedding? Good news; we specialize in bridal hair and makeup near you, from the DMV to Charleston, SC, to Savannah, GA and beyond. Book your wedding weekend hair and makeup now! Let us help you feel confident, camera-ready, and radiant for every moment, rehearsal dinner included.

Cover Photo Credit: Nikki Daskalakis Photography