Photographing your wedding day details is essential to ensuring that you have a beautiful memory. Often couples need more clarification on the importance of these details. Having said that, let’s talk about why it’s relevant to get your wedding day details photographed, the props you might want to include, and what your photographer will need!

Why Wedding Day Details Are Important:

These details from your wedding day will help create lasting memories and allow you to look back and relive the moments that made your wedding day unforgettable. You’ve spent so much time planning the big details and the smaller ones too. This is a great way to preserve all the effort and time you spent ensuring your perfect day. Showing your family and friends photos of your wedding details will give them an idea of the whole event even if they couldn’t be there in person.

Styling detailed photos can take some time to make sure everything looks perfect. I like to allow sixty to ninety minutes for these photos so that no detail is missed, and I can take my time showcasing the elements that made your wedding. I prefer to take the time earlier in the day to capture these valuable pictures than spend it at the reception. Typically the people dancing for the first thirty minutes will be dancing for the rest of the evening.  

Here is a List of Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Skip Out on Detail Photos:

1. Photos of your wedding details will help you showcase the unique elements of your wedding. From the flowers and cake to your jewelry and shoes, you can show off what made your wedding special and unique. Think of these details as a reflection of your style and personality. 
2. Having these details captured will allow you to relive the day for years. Every time you look at these photos, you will remember all the special moments that made up your big day.
3. Most of these captured wedding details are items you hired vendors to create for you. So these photos are a great way to show your appreciation to your wedding vendors for their hard work, and you’ll always be able to remember the vendor team who helped make your wedding possible. 
4. When creating your beautiful wedding album or printing photos for your home decor, these detailed photos will help tell your story. 
5. Pictures can tell the atmosphere of your wedding and the entire wedding venue and all of the elements you added in, giving the space emotion and your beautiful love story. 
6. Professional wedding photos will help you remember the people important to you on your special day. One day you’ll be able to show future generations the beauty of your wedding and the friends and family who helped you along the way.

I brought photos of my family members on their wedding day for my vow renewal. I loved these photos so much; they hold such a special meaning to me. Feel free to include absolutely anything you want in your detail photos. 

Items to Tie Your Details Together:

Before each wedding, I curate a detail styling kit based on the information my couple has provided, including their invitation suite. Sometimes my couples already provide some of these items so that they are customized to them. Below are some of my suggestions to help you assemble a perfect kit that will tie your details into your special day!

Ring Box:

A beautiful ring box is a must for those up-close shots of your wedding rings. You can choose a color or style that goes with the overall vibe of your wedding, like a dusty rose or monogrammed box for a romantic southern celebration. My favorite places to purchase gorgeous ring boxes to coordinate with the overall vibe of your wedding are listed below.

• The Mrs. Box
• Etsy
• Amazon

Invitation Suite:

Bring an extra copy of your stationery! You’ll want to get a photo of the pieces laid out nicely, so be sure to order an additional complete set for this purpose. If you have a wax seal or unique stamps, also be sure to set those aside so I can include that in a photo. If you’ve addressed your envelopes with elegant calligraphy, including a neatly addressed envelope would be fantastic.

I suggest my couples send me a copy of the entire invitation suite, including an envelope. Therefore, if you forget to bring it on your wedding day, I already have it.

Styling Ribbon:

Provide your photographer with a few extra spools or strands of the ribbon used in your bouquet or throughout your decor. It will make a great addition to your invitation suite photos and perfectly tie everything together. Check out some of my favorite ribbons by clicking here!

Extra Blooms:

Be sure to instruct your florist where to bring the bouquets when you are getting ready. You can request they bring a few bonus blooms when they drop your flowers off. This way, I can work with the florals into the styled photos of your stationery and accessories. 

Extra tip: Let your florist know that your photographer will happily share photos from your day, and if they bring a small vase of additional florals, it will help tie everything together.

Sentimental Extras:

Consider bringing a few bonus items that are particularly meaningful to you as a couple or to your families. Things such as letters you two may have written to one another, something special you picked up on a trip together, seashells you collected over the years, an antique box that your grandfather gave to you, a ring box passed down, or a locket that has been in the family for generations. My couples have brought these items to their wedding for me to use while I style their details.

Perfume:

Did you know that scent is one of the strongest senses that lead back to your memory? On your big day, I love suggesting a new perfume or even a cologne for him. Wearing a new fragrance during your wedding and honeymoon, your memory and feeling of that particular time will forever be tied to that scent. How special would it be that every time you smell that fragrance long after your wedding, it will bring you back to your special day?

Robe/Pajama Photos:

Are you planning to give your bridesmaids matching pajamas or robes? It is always one of my bride’s favorite photos of the day, with her and her bridesmaids having fun in their robes. Want to make the photos extra special and fun? Pick up a couple of confetti poppers! Walmart has a great one that I suggest, and it’s inexpensive. Popping champagne can also be fun if you can step outdoors. Make sure to have one or two unopened bottles of champagne when I arrive!

Below is a list I created to make it easy for you the night before your wedding. Set aside all of these items, or have them ready in a bag so that I can photograph all of these perfect little details as soon as I arrive!

Items to Have Prepared in the Bridal Suite:

• Shoes
• Veil 
• Dress
• Perfume 
• Wooden hanger for the dress 
• Bridesmaids dresses
• Jewelry 
• Rings both his and yours 
• Ring box 
• Invitation suite
• Bouquets 
• Garter 
• Photos 

Items to Have Prepared in the Groom’s Suite: 

• Shoes
• Ties or bowties
• Cufflinks
• Socks 
• Watch 
• Boutonnieres
• Cologne  
• Suspenders 

I hope this blog has guided you on what to include in your wedding day details!

More Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks:

• Engagement Session Outfit Ideas
• Old Wide Awake Plantation Wedding Guide
• Charleston Fall Wedding Guide
• Legare Waring House Wedding Information