Boudoir as a Gift: For YOU or a Loved One!
Before we go ANY further, I want to make something super-duper clear. You absolutely do NOT need a partner to book a Boudoir Experience. This is why I am going to split this blog into two sections, and give you tips in both.
The first section will be packed full of tips and information for if you are booking this Boudoir session as a gift to yourself - which is ABSOLUTELY something you should do! We actually get more Divas who book this for themselves then solely for a partner! Sometimes people will say to me that they wish they had a partner to book this for… No, no, no! Boudoir is such an important, and sometimes life-changing, act of self-love. We should absolutely feel empowered to explore our relationship outside of our body, and what makes us feel confident (and sexy!) outside of other people. It is the most perfect gift you can give yourself.
Having said that, it is ALSO a beautiful gift to give a partner. Thinking of gift ideas can be hard, and repetitive. There are only so many times you can go on a nice meal, or buy someone a nice top!
Alternatively, a boudoir photo shoot is personal, meaningful, and just the right side of naughty! It creates unbelievable gifts that are so cherished. So, keep on reading if you’d like to know some tips for how we can work together to create the MOST unforgettable gift your partner has ever had too! We can have a lot of fun…
Boudoir as a Gift for YOU
Do not half-heart the Discovery Calls
I really cannot emphasise this enough. You cannot do a Divas experience ‘wrong’, but ignoring this tip would be the closest you’d get to minimising the benefits of the experience for yourself. These calls are SO important. They are YOUR time; it is a space created just for you, with questions tailored to you, with the sole motivation being to help you connect with parts of yourself that make you feel PROUD to be who you are. If you half-heart these calls, you are missing out on some of the most significant preparation you can do here.
They aren’t calls to do whilst multi-tasking. You need to give yourself room to properly breathe into that space that is being carved out for you. You can’t do that if your mind is 20% with you, and 80% with kids running around the room, or on the food you need to buy in Tesco.
Honestly, we get it. Life is bloody busy. Trying to find five minutes can be a challenge but, and not to sound like a cheesy motivational speaker, you deserve that time. We have 2-3 calls that are about 15-20 minutes long each. So, max, that’s one hour. And if you genuinely struggle with putting those boundaries in place or finding that hour before you come in, maybe that can be for your first challenge; your alarm bell that notifies you to the fact that you need to make yourself more of a priority.
So come to the calls with an open heart, curiosity and TIME, and you’ll really feel their full potential within the journey of your Divine Divas experience. It will help you set your intention and really find that celebratory, confident voice within!
Do not let the nerves or any confidence issues stop you from booking…
Nerves are such a normal part of a Boudoir photoshoot. I actually think nerves are a very good sign as it means you are doing something out of your comfort zone which will A) allow you to grow and B) means you’re doing something exciting!
Don’t let any negative self-doubt get the better of you. Harness the energy of the nerves, but don’t let yourself spiral. You will surprise yourself how quickly you feel care-free in front of the camera! Plus, we are always here if you have any questions too remember, and you always have the support of the Divas VIP Group as well.
Stop making yourself wait!
Boudoir can be like deciding to get a dog… there will always be an excuse not to do it. There may not be a ‘perfect time’. There will always be someone else to prioritise, there may always be another bill to pay, or life may feel too busy… but I think we both know, that’s just life being life!
If you don’t prioritise yourself, say ‘sod it’ and go for it, you’ll just watch from the sidelines. You would make that time and effort for someone else, so remember you deserve to do it for you too.
Treat yourself before you come in!
Get your nails done, book in that hair appointment, schedule a spa day! It’s not that you HAVE to do any of these things. You are incredible as you are. Small details like painted nails can look fabulous in the photos but that’s not why I’m suggesting this. The reason I’m suggesting this is because you DESERVE it. Remember, this is a gift for yourself. If you don’t like the ideas of nails/hair/spa - don’t do it! Just maybe do something that does sound up your street?! Buy yourself a first class ticket for the train ride to us instead of a normal one, eat your favourite dinner the night before you come to us, book a gym class you love doing on the same week of your photoshoot… You get the idea!
You deserve to spoil yourself like you would do for your child, or partner, or friend. It’s a simple thing but it’s an act that tells yourself that yes, you do deserve this. Gifts to yourself can be very healing, and confidence-boosting.
Are you someone who takes their work laptop on holiday? TURN YOUR PHONE OFF the day of your Boudoir session 🤣
How often do you get a day that is really, truly all about YOU? A day that is designed to celebrate who you are, to pamper you, to help you relax? Let yourself have that time. Do not have your day interrupted by calls or messages from work or loved ones asking you to do something. They can wait! It is not selfish to have 5 hours to yourself, it is something you NEED to do to keep yourself sane!
If possible, arrange to do something fun after your Boudoir Experience
Or, even better - make a mini trip in Bath around it! (You can even read this blog for recommendations on where to stay.)
Why not book a date or a night out with the friends after your experience? You will be looking and feeling fabulous and it’s a sure way to make the day even more special!
If you don’t have a partner, or your friends aren’t free, do something you love by yourself! We’ve had plenty of Divas use their Boudoir experience as an excuse to explore Bath for the first time. You could even just go to a cafe and read a book you love after or before?
The gift you’ll still be looking at, and loving, in ten years time… Your Boudoir artwork
The experience will light a spark of confidence like you may have never felt before. We can guarantee this. However, if you want to KEEP that spark lit - that’s where your artwork comes in.
It’s what bottles up the confidence you find, and reflects that message back to you day after day. So think about your artwork. Think about what you need your artwork to say to you, about where it is most powerful to display in your home (i.e in your bedroom so it’s the first thing you see, in your office so you see it when you work from home etc) and do NOT be afraid to go for what you really want!
You are 100% allowed (at least!) one space in the world which you can call your own and decorate as you wish. It is your home, your sanctuary, and you should definitely feel empowered to fill it with things that make you feel powerful and beautiful! So if you get distracted or worried about thoughts of grandchildren or parents seeing your Boudoir photos, remind yourself of three things. 1) We do private artwork like albums and treasure boxes. 2) We can make artwork anonymous so people don’t even know it’s you but it still makes you feel AMAZING. 3) It is YOUR home, and people who love you will always be happy about what makes you happy… Don’t get lost in catering for other people. This is a gift for you, from you and that is a special thing that takes practise, and commitment, but it is absolutely worthwhile.
Boudoir as a Gift for YOUR PARTNER
It’s up to you, but it may be better for it to NOT be a surprise… You can buy them a Gift Voucher?!
It’s a popular idea for Boudoir as a gift to be a surprise, which we totally get! This isn’t me trying to dissuade you but our experience shows us that it can sometimes be MORE fun to let your partner know from the beginning. The reason being that it’s a really special (and exciting) experience to share. If you’re keeping it a secret, you may find yourself wishing you could ask their advice on outfits and then, again, when you create your artwork you may find that you want to see which photos they love, and what artwork they think would look great. It will still be a surprise when you tell them you’re doing it but this way they get the fun of being part of it.
One option is to buy them a Gift Voucher, and surprise them that way! You can share the entire experience, including designing the artwork, together.
Bring your partner to the Design Consultation!
Top tip: you and your partner will like different ones!
I can almost always guarantee that your partner will LOVE a photo that, by yourself, you may have dismissed.
I can ALSO guarantee that there will be some sexy ones that put a massive smile on their face, and they will very much enjoy making sure you keep!
It’s a fun experience to have your partner alongside you. This isn’t to say you should choose the photos that you specifically love, but it’s also special to be able to bask in your partner’s compliments, and to surprise them too. (We’ll make sure their jaw drops!)
P.S If you want to keep the prices secret as part of it being a gift, that’s totally fine. Just give us a heads up!
Tell your story in the outfits you wear…
It can be a really nice idea to nod to your relationship, and your partner, in what you wear! I’ve noticed in Design Consultations that partners will always notice when you wear jewellery that they got you, or they’ll love a photo where the engagement/wedding ring is a focus point. You could wear something that reflects on a hobby you both love, like a sports shirt, or you could wear something you KNOW they love you in - like one of their shirts, or the lingerie they always love you in. It’s a simple way of saying to your partner ‘this is for you…’ which is both beautiful, and HOT.
We can put your love letter on the back of any wall art!
Something a lot of Divas tell me is that they want their artwork to give a message of thanks to their partner. For their partner to see the photos and know that they helped their loved one find their confidence, and to feel acceptance in their body. This is so gorgeous, and something that is actually probably quite underestimated! We forget how much our own confidence journey means to a loved one and it is so important to thank the people who have helped us get to where we are.
I also know that every message, just like the relationship, is incredibly personal. So if you want to say thank you in your own words, and to write them a letter letting them know how you love them and the impact they’ve had on your life, we can not only infuse that into the messaging of the experience, but put that letter - with your handwriting - on the back of the wall art, so it can stay there for years to come.
Want to know what artwork makes a perfect gift?
There is a long and short answer here. The short answer is this - it depends.
It depends on your story, what you want from the experience, what you want to celebrate, what your house is like, your budget etc etc!
However, from our experience, wall art is beautiful because you can put it in a space you both share (and you can feel the benefits too) or it can go in their space, like an office. We can also put the letter on the back which is so lovely.
Also, treasure boxes and albums are popular Boudoir gifts as you can wrap them up and give them! This is especially true for any brides who want to give something on a wedding day, or in the days after.
I know that has been a lot of information but hopefully it has all been useful and, remember, if you have any questions you can WhatsApp us on 01225 483151 or ask other Divas in the VIP Group!
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