{Plus a Free Bridal Detail Checklist!}

The wedding day is here!! And after the months of the planning, I, as your photographer, want to make sure every little detail that you have painstakingly took effort in and put forth money to, doesn’t go unnoticed. I photograph a bride’s details in a way that matches and showcases the the style of the entire wedding day. So, in some ways, the details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding. From the shoes to the jewelry to the flowers, every little detail tells a piece of the story of your wedding day! This is one of my favorite parts of the day, because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day. I love having ample time to stylize, and shoot everything from the dress, to the jewelry, to grandma’s handkerchief ! I always ask my brides to gather any details they have before I arrive so that I can walk in, say hello, give you a big hug and then begin with all the goodies! (Please assure your mom that I will take GREAT care of the dress, I promise!) Below, I have complied a list of my best tips to help you prepare ahead and ensure the day starts off on the right foot!

1. Gather the Goods

If possible, collect all of your details before I arrive so that I can begin quickly and have more time for some “getting ready” shots of you and your girls!

2. Bring the Bouquet

Have the bouquets, boutonnieres and loose florals delivered to your getting ready location 30 minutes before I am scheduled to arrive to ensure they are ready to go when I get there!

3. Loose Florals

Loose flowers and greenery make such a lovely addition to bridal detail photos and helps create a cohesive look within your portraits! Ask your florist to include some loose florals and greenery with the bouquet delivery!

4. Keep All the Rings

The most common detail missing when I arrive are the rings! Moms, officiants and planners will tell you to hand over your wedding band to the best man before the day begins. However, it’s actually better to keep it with the bride’s rings so that I can shoot some great ring shots in the morning! Have all 3 rings (engagement ring, bride’s band, groom’s band) included with your details so I can photograph them all together! Once I am done with them, we can give the bands to whoever is in charge of holding onto them!

5. Keep Your Extra Invitation Suites

Sometimes the wedding invitation is an overlooked bridal detail but is such an important part of your wedding day! This is the first impression your guest have seen of your day and should absolutely be included! Be sure to also include all the envelopes with your invitation suite so that I can capture the entire design! And feel free to include your Save the Date as well! If you had calligraphy or any special lettering done on your invitations, have an extra copy made for me to photograph! You can use a fake address or even the address of your venue!

6. Hierloom Items

Do you have a special heirloom item like your grandmother’s wedding ring or a special handkerchief that are a part of your wedding? Include them with your bridal details to be captured!

7. Extra Elements

Sometimes, depending on the theme and “look” of the wedding day, there may be some extra elements that you could include when you gather your details. For example, extra ribbon from your bouquet or wax seal stamps from invitations . If you’re having a rustic themed wedding that includes some wooden elements, maybe save a small piece of wood for me to use when I’m shooting your rings and jewelry. Or if you’re having a Boho themed wedding you could include some pampas grass from table centerpieces. This REALLY makes for beautiful, consistent album spreads!

8. Consider a Mrs. Box

Want to display your ring in a gorgeous luxury velvet box that will also serve as an heirloom for future generations? Consider investing in a gorgeous MRS box for your ring! www.themrsbox.com

I hope this was helpful you as you gather your items together for your wedding day and I hope it gets you excited for these portraits! In case you can’t tell, I love photographing these little details and making them look beautiful! I’ve created a simple, no frills checklist below to help you better prepare for this portion of the day!

BRIDAL GOWN

VEIL

SHOES

GARTER

JEWELRY

PERFUME

ALL 3 RINGS

INVITATION SUITE

BOUQUETS

BOUTONNIERES

LOOSE FLORALS

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES

EXTRA STYLING ITEMS

HEIRLOOM ITEMS

DRESS HANGER