Getting Ready at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis | Wedding Guide
THE VENUE EDIT CLAYTON, MISSOURI
The wedding starts before the ceremony.
Getting ready at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis gave Allie and Nathan a place to begin their wedding day. Allie spent the morning with the people closest to her, shared a first look with her dad, and later met up with Nathan and their dog, Bear. The hotel gave each part of the morning space to happen.
If you’re considering getting ready at the Ritz, think beyond where you’ll sleep the night before. The room, the people joining you, and where you’re headed next will shape those first few hours. Here’s what’s worth planning.
Picture your whole morning in the space.
A room can look beautiful in a listing and feel very different once your wedding party, family, and hair and makeup team arrive. Think about how many people will be there at the same time, along with their bags, garment racks, and supplies.
Ask the Ritz which room or suite fits your group, and look at the specific room type before booking. Notice where the windows are, whether there’s room to move, and where you would get dressed. Allie’s morning had space for the finishing touches and the people she wanted beside her.
The pieces they chose.
Allie’s flowers, ring, shoes, and accessories were part of the morning. So was Nathan’s suit. These photographs give you a closer look at their choices before the day brought everyone together.
If there are pieces you want photographed, keep them in one place while you get ready. Include anything personal, even if it isn’t a traditional wedding detail. It’s easier to make time for those photos when everything is close at hand.
Leave time for the people in the room.
After Allie was dressed, her dad came in to see her. The two of them had a moment together by the window. It’s easy to picture that happening naturally, but a little space in the schedule helped them have it without needing to rush to the next stop.
When you plan your own morning, decide whether there’s anyone you want to see after getting dressed. You might want a first look with a parent, a few minutes with your wedding party, or time alone with your partner. Allow for getting dressed and those visits before setting the departure time.
Have hair and makeup finish with enough time to get dressed, see your people, and leave the hotel. The time between “ready” and “out the door” is usually fuller than it sounds.
Of course Bear was part of it.
Bear joined Allie and Nathan after their first look. They spent a little time together at the hotel, and he got his own place in their wedding photos. His visit was short, which gave them the moment they wanted without making the entire morning revolve around his schedule.
If you’re bringing your dog, choose someone to bring them, handle the leash, and take them home or back to the room afterward. Confirm the hotel’s current pet policies and where your dog can go before making the plan. Then choose a photo time that works for all of you.
Your plan for getting ready at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis
The Ritz is in Clayton, so look at how the hotel fits with your ceremony and any other photo locations. Include time to gather your things, get everyone downstairs, load the cars, and reach the next stop. If you want portraits in a particular hotel space, ask about access in advance.
A few questions worth asking the hotel
- Which room or suite fits everyone getting ready with you?
- When can you access the room, and when do you need to leave it?
- Which spaces are available for wedding photos?
- What are the current rules if your dog will join you?
The right answer depends on the day you’re planning. Once you know where everyone will be and where you’re going next, the getting-ready hours are much easier to map out. You can explore current accommodations and contact the team through The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.
Start with what matters to you.
Tell me where you’re getting ready, who will be there, and what you want to remember. I’ll help you work those priorities into a photo plan for the day.
CHECK AVAILABILITYBehind the day
- Photography
- Fanara Photography
- Hotel
- The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
- Planning
- aRay of Events
- Florals
- Wild Ginger Weddings
- Dress
- Ines Di Santo from Bergdorf Goodman