While there are plenty of incredible wedding venues in Bloomington-Normal, some of which even made my list of favorite venues of Central Illinois, there are just as many if not more stellar getting ready spaces in Bloomington, IL.

But what makes a good getting ready space, and do you really need one for your wedding day?

This blog covers:

• Why a getting ready space is important
• How to prep your getting ready space
• What to look for in a getting ready space
• 5 wedding getting ready spaces in Bloomington, IL that I recommend!

Why a Getting Ready Space is Important

Before we dive in on some of my favorite wedding getting ready spaces in the Bloomington, IL area I thought it’d be helpful to look at why having a getting ready space in general is important.

In short it’s a perfect way to start your wedding day, in a neutral space, with good vibes and all your favorite people there with you.

It feels SO much better to get ready in a designated getting ready space rather than in your own home to avoid the pressure of making sure it’s presentable for your photos, guests, and vendors.

It also can double as a spot for solo wedding portraits- which leans into the overall feel of your wedding day gallery.

Your Vendors Need a Good Getting Ready Space

In short your vendors need a well lit, quality, comfortable space to do their best work and in turn have you looking your best on your wedding day. Having a getting ready space is huge for your hair and makeup artist(s), especially if you have multiple people in your wedding party getting their hair done.

As long as your getting ready space has plenty of natural light, a good amount of space, and other things we’ll cover later, your HMU artist will be able to bring their absolute A game for your day!

Quality Time With Your People

Not being in your own home means that you and your closest of friends can really enjoy yourselves without the pressure of being in your own home.

Instead you and your besties get to spend your time in a gorgeous and comfortable getting ready space prepping for your wedding day.

Once you see the wedding getting ready spaces around Bloomington I have listed later in this article you’ll see exactly what I mean and you’ll be SO ready to get ready for your wedding day in one of them!

How to Prep Your Getting Ready Space

When your vendors arrive at your getting ready space there will be some clutter that comes with them. It’s part of the wedding day experience! You will want to make sure though that there are tables or countertop space available for them to set up shop.  Try to have all your bags and extra things tucked away in a separate room or out of sight in the main room so that your photographer doesn’t have unnecessary clutter in the background of your getting ready photos. The clutter from your other vendors is a given and honestly part of the experience, but controlling as much clutter as possible will lead to the best getting ready photos from your photographer.

What to Look For in a Getting Ready Space

There’s one more thing we need to cover before getting into my favorite Bloomington-Normal getting ready spaces, and that’s what you should be looking for in a getting ready space. It’s true, not all getting ready spaces are created equal! Here are the top features and amenities you’ll want to make sure your getting ready space has so that you have the best experience possible.

Lighting

I mentioned this briefly above, but a good source of natural lighting is SO SO SO important, especially for your HMU artist. Working with natural lighting is invaluable for them as it’s the lighting that you’ll be seen in for the majority of your day. This lets them get your makeup right, looking absolutely on point for the rest of your wedding day. As a bonus, natural light is a huge plus for us photographers as we’re able to get much cleaner and well lit images without any artificial light messing with us. And lastly, natural light is just so much more pleasant than any artificial light so it makes the space just that much more enjoyable for you and your crew!

Space to Hang Clothing

Before you actually get dressed your wedding attire will need to live in your getting ready space, and you’ll want it somewhere safe. People will be having snacks, drinking, and walking around, so you’ll want your clothes somewhere safe and away from any potential mishaps. Somewhere you can hang your clothes away from any danger is a huge part in alleviating any stress you have before you actually get into your wedding attire and something you should look for in a getting ready space.

Space in General

It’s crucial that when you find a getting ready space for your wedding day that it has enough space in it for everyone. This means you, your wedding party, and your wedding vendors and their equipment. The last thing you want to feel when prepping for your wedding day is clutter and claustrophobia from too many cooks in the kitchen! Lucky for you the spaces I have listed below have plenty of space for you and all the other people you’ll have present while you get ready.

Outlets

I cannot stress enough how good it feels to have plenty of outlets available to you in your getting ready space. Not only for you and your wedding party to use to charge your phones, but also for your vendors. Some HMU artists need plugs for their work, and for your photographer it feels so good to have a space to charge our back up batteries so that when we leave the space each and every battery is FULLY charged! (I charge all of mine the day before but it never hurts to top them off the day of!)

Experience

Last and definitely not least you’ll want to look for a getting ready space that facilitates the experience you’re looking to have on your wedding day! Whether that’s a super clean modern space, something with a bit more rustic and historic feel to it, or really anything you can envision. If you’re in love with the aesthetic of your wedding venue, look for a wedding getting ready space in Bloomington, IL that matches that same vibe and feel. This will get you in the mood for the rest of your wedding day while also giving you a wholly cohesive wedding album.

Some of my Favorite Wedding Getting Ready Spaces in Bloomington, IL

1. The 2nd Story Wedding Suite at Girl Friday

Found in the heart of downtown Bloomington-Normal is Girl Friday! Girl Friday is a beauty salon with an option to rent out their 2nd story suite on your wedding day as a getting ready space. With Girl Friday being a beauty salon by trade you can count on this space having EVERYTHING you need. Lighting, space, outlets, a great atmosphere, and downtown location. This wedding getting ready space in Bloomington is perfect for a group of people.

2. The Alice // my fave!

Talk about plenty of space and a TON of natural light! The Alice is an Airbnb in central Bloomington-Normal that is perfect as a getting ready space, and the central location means that you won’t be far from your wedding venue. Being an Airbnb with 3 bedrooms means this space can also be used as your getaway suite for the night, or you can have a couple members of your wedding parties stay with you as well! 

3. New Listing!

So this one may not have an official name yet, but as far as getting ready spaces go it is a prime option for your wedding day! Found in the center of Bloomington-Normal this 1 bedroom unit has enough space in it for you and your wedding party to get ready in before making your way to your wedding venue. There’s plenty of natural light and space, and with an exposed brick wall for portrait opportunities what’s not to love?!

4. Jefferson Gem

The Jefferson Gem is a full rental 2 bed 2 bath unit on Airbnb that has a TON of character and charm to it. Both the living room and kitchen have a ton of window space letting in so much natural light. The décor of the Airbnb is also fun yet tasteful. Having the entire unit gives you and your wedding party a plethora of space to use while getting ready before heading out to your Bloomington-Normal wedding venue to get your ceremony underway!

5. Vrooman Mansion

This is one of my favorite places in Bloomington. Vrooman Mansion has everything you need for a relaxed wedding morning. There are 7 different suites you can stay in, with access to common spaces that are gorgeous. The Master’s Chamber is full of natural light— perfect for hair, makeup, and photos. The Carriage House gives folks a cozy spot to hang out. And at the end of your day, you can crash in the Charlevoix Suite with its comfy king bed and soaking tub. There are little details everywhere that you can’t help but gawk at.

While the venue for your wedding day in Bloomington-Normal may be one of the most important decisions you make when planning your wedding, don’t underestimate the importance of having a getting ready space!

They give your wedding day such a complete feel and really make your day just that much more enjoyable. For more wedding planning tips be sure to check out my other blogs.

And if you’re ready to book a photographer for your wedding day head to my contact page!