What to Wear Getting Ready for Your Wedding

The getting-ready hours are some of the most photographed and most relaxed of the whole day, so what you wear for them deserves a little thought. The right piece is not just cute in pictures, it is practical: it keeps your finished hair and makeup intact and makes slipping into your dress effortless. Here is everything to know about getting-ready outfits, for you, your bridal party, and your partner.

Why your getting-ready outfit matters

Two reasons, really. First, photos: your photographer will capture the morning, from hair and makeup to the first look in the mirror, so what you are wearing becomes part of your wedding album. Second, and more practically, the right piece protects all that work. Anything that opens at the front, a robe, a button-down shirt, a zip or button top, means you never have to pull fabric over a finished hairstyle or full face of makeup. It is a small choice that saves a lot of last-minute stress. For how the morning unfolds hour by hour, see our getting ready timeline.

What the bride wears getting ready

You have a few classic options, all chosen for the same reason: they look beautiful in photos and come off without disturbing your hair or makeup.

• A robe | The most popular choice. Satin and silk feel luxe and photograph with a soft sheen, while lace adds a romantic, bridal touch. Easy to slip off and endlessly photogenic.
• An oversized button-down shirt | Effortless and a little editorial, a crisp white men's-style shirt looks chic in photos and is the ultimate no-fuss option.
• A slip or slip dress | Elegant and simple, a silk slip doubles as a smooth layer under your gown and looks lovely in candid shots.
• A matching set | Coordinated pajamas or a cami-and-shorts set are comfortable and cute, especially for a relaxed morning.

Matching robes for the bridal party

Getting ready with your closest people is one of the loveliest parts of the day, and dressing the group in coordinating robes or pajamas turns it into a moment. Matching satin robes in a soft, complementary color photograph beautifully when everyone is together, raising a glass or laughing on the bed. A few ways to approach it:

• Fully matching | The same robe for everyone in one shade reads cohesive and looks striking in group photos.
• Tonal | Different soft shades in the same fabric for a modern, less uniform look.
• Bride stands out | Put your bridal party in one color and yourself in white, ivory, or lace so you are easy to spot in every frame.
• A thoughtful gift | Robes double as a lovely thank-you for your bridal party, often given the morning of or at a get-together beforehand.

The groom and groomsmen

Getting ready is not just for the bridal party. Grooms and groomsmen have their own relaxed, photogenic morning, and a coordinated look adds to it. A simple, consistent choice works best: matching robes are increasingly popular, but a crisp white undershirt or button-down, or coordinating tees, looks great in candid shots of tying bow ties, sharing a drink, and helping each other with cufflinks. As with the bride, the goal is comfort and easy dressing without a rushed scramble into the suit.

Fabrics and colors that photograph well

Since these outfits live in your photos, a few choices help them look their best. Satin and silk catch the light with a flattering sheen, while lace adds texture and a bridal feel. Soft, light tones (blush, champagne, ivory, sage, dusty blue) tend to photograph more elegantly than very bright or neon shades, and they coordinate easily with most getting-ready spaces. If you want to stand out from your bridal party in photos, white or lace is the simplest way to do it.

Personalize them

Small personal touches make getting-ready pieces feel special and double as keepsakes. Popular options include a monogram or initials, a name or role embroidered on the back (such as “bride” or “maid of honor”), or the wedding date. Personalized robes and pajamas also make a memorable bridal party gift you will see again in every getting-ready photo.

Practical tips for the morning

• Front-opening only | Whatever you choose, make sure it comes off without going over your head, to protect your hair and makeup.
• Get dressed in the right order | Hair and makeup first, then change, which is exactly why the front-opening piece matters. See the full sequence in our getting ready timeline.
• Think about the room | A tidy, well-lit space makes for better photos, so plan where you will get ready and keep clutter out of frame.
• Pack it the night before | Lay out your robe, undergarments, and anything you need so the morning stays calm. Our wedding day emergency kit helps you cover the rest.
• Comfortable footwear | Keep cozy slippers or flats on until the last moment.

Getting ready is also when hair and makeup happen. Browse inspiration in our bridal hairstyles and bridal makeup sections.

“My number-one getting-ready rule is simple: wear something that opens at the front. After hours in the chair for hair and makeup, the last thing you want is to pull a top over your head. A pretty robe or an oversized shirt looks gorgeous in photos and keeps everything intact, that is the whole secret.”

Sarah Glasbergen, Founder at ThePerfectWedding.com

Frequently asked questions about getting-ready outfits

• What should the bride wear while getting ready?

  Choose something that opens at the front so it does not disturb your hair and makeup: a satin, silk, or lace robe, an oversized button-down shirt, or a slip. All look beautiful in photos and come off easily.

• Why is a front-opening getting-ready outfit important?

  Because you do hair and makeup first, then change. A robe or button-down comes off without going over your head, so your finished look stays perfect.

• Should the bridal party wear matching robes?

  It is optional but popular. Matching or tonal robes photograph beautifully in group shots and make a lovely bridal party gift. Many brides wear white or lace so they stand out.

• What colors photograph best for getting-ready outfits?

  Soft, light tones like blush, champagne, ivory, sage, and dusty blue tend to photograph elegantly and coordinate well with most rooms. Satin, silk, and lace all catch the light nicely.

• What do the groom and groomsmen wear getting ready?

  A relaxed, coordinated look: matching robes, a crisp white undershirt or button-down, or coordinating tees. The aim is comfort and easy dressing for candid getting-ready photos.

• Can I personalize getting-ready robes?

  Yes. Monograms, initials, names or roles, and the wedding date are popular, and personalized robes double as a keepsake and a bridal party gift.

• Do I need a special outfit just for getting ready?

  Not strictly, but a dedicated robe, shirt, or slip is worth it for the photos and the practicality of changing without ruining your hair and makeup.

• When should I put my getting-ready outfit on?

  Change into it after you arrive and before hair and makeup begin, so you are comfortable and camera-ready for the whole morning, then slip into your dress at the end.