Don’t forget about (photographing) the details!

The day is finally here! You’ve spent months (and a lot of sweat and tears) planning your wedding day. You’ve chosen the perfect location, found the dress of your dreams, the most incredible shoes, you mailed all the invitations and you have your something borrowed. In other words – IT’S GO TIME! Here are the things that you need to make sure to pack before the big day so you can have incredible wedding detail photos! So gather these items up and put them into a separate box that is clearly labeled “wedding detail photos”.

Give your person of honor the responsibility to MAKE SURE they know where that box is the day of the wedding and instruct them to give it to the photographer when they arrive. You’ll be in the midst of getting ready, and I don’t want to interrupt your hair and make-up artists when I get there to ask you where everything is.

Another nice touch is to ask (in advance) for your florist to provide a few additional stems of florals when they deliver the bouquets to you. It’s nice to be able to incorporate them into the flat lays that I create. Special note: make sure that you let the florist know when the photographer is arriving so the flowers are available when the arrive. Here’s what to gather up before your big day:

1) The details of the day – invitations and save-the-dates

Most stationers or invitation companies send you a few extra copies of your invitation suite and save the dates, you know, just in case. You’ll want to have at least one extra copy of both put aside for your photographer on the day of your wedding. The first thing I do when I arrive is, yup, you guessed it – wedding detail photos. The invitation suite is the foundation for these photos. It’s imperative to have at least one copy of the whole suite (envelopes included). If you have an invitation that is dual sided, then a second copy is helpful so we can show everything in one photo. If you had save-the-dates created, make sure to bring one or two of those as well.

 

 

2) Bring all the detailed bling

This includes engagement ring(s) and wedding bands for both partners. Any necklaces, bracelets, additional rings or earrings either of you are going to wear should be present also. Whoever your photographer is going to meet up with first should have ALL the jewelry. While your trusty photog will (should) have ways to display your rings, if there is a special ring box or dish that you have or an item you picked up that you want them to use, make sure to let them know. Something like this would be a great way to showcase your rings!

I’m also including shoes with the “bling” category as most often, there’s a special pair that’s been chosen for the day and they should be shown off! If heels aren’t your thing, these were the most popular wedding day sneaker among my brides last year.

 

 

 

3) Sentimental Pieces

The details are typically the way that my couples incorporate family traditions, heirlooms, family or close friends that have passed away. The “something borrowed, something blue” from grandma, the nightgown that a bride’s mother wore, or special pins or lockets that hold photos of loved ones (or pets). These are things that you don’t want to forget to include. I love finding ways to showcase and incorporate these into the detail photos. Sometimes these items are already sewn into the lining of a dress or suit lining, or attached to the bouquet, so if that’s the case – MAKE SURE to tell your photographer so they can grab photos of those specific items.

A few last wedding details NOT to overlook

Let’s not forget the details our guys are wearing! If you’re able to gather these up as well and have them with you that would be a HUGE bonus for the photographer. A lot of times I find myself photographing the grooms details later in the day while he’s wearing them. Don’t get me wrong, that’s 100% okay. In fact I find that it’s nice to have a human element to the details as well.  BUT if you want to make sure that you have more traditional photos of those items, then include them in the “wedding detail photos” box.

 

Looking for details inspiration? Check out this beautifully personalized backyard Boston wedding and this Bridgerton inspired styled wedding!

If you’d like to schedule a consult call to talk about your wedding photography needs – just click here to get on my calendar!