The Best Wedding Details to Show Off Your Day

I LOVE STARTING A WEDDING DAY BY PHOTOGRAPHING THE FINER DETAILS.

I find it's the best way for me to get settled in & warmed up creatively. If you think of your wedding gallery as telling the story of your day, then these images are so vital for setting the stage and showing off the important details and keepsakes that might otherwise go unnoticed. Plus, it's a great way for me to get to know my couples on a deeper level and discovering what's valuable and important to them. Many of my brides wear jewelry that belonged to their mother or grandmother. Many of my grooms are wearing their father's tie clip or grandfather's wedding band. I've seen bouquets that are adorned with lockets or charms that honor loved ones who have passed on. I've seen grooms wearing a watch gifted to them by their bride. Heck, I've even seen a groom wearing socks with his officiant's face on them! There are so many ways that couples show their love for their favorite people - some incredibly sentimental, some unexpected & hilarious! Either way, capturing these details is the best way for the story of your wedding gallery to begin, and some epic shots on the dance floor is the best way for it to end!!

The very first thing I do after arriving on your wedding day is greet the bride.

We'll give an excited "it's finally your wedding day!" squeal, I'll introduce myself to your favorite ladies, and then I'll probably ask for the details you want photographed so I can get things started. Every couple has different items they've picked out to incorporate in their day, but this list is a great place to start!

TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DETAIL SHOTS

• Have everything prepped in a shoe box or container so that I can easily take everything at once to set up for detail portraits. Make sure you have everything you want photographed from both the bride and groom - especially the rings & vow books! I will happily deliver any of the groom's details back to him (like his shoes!) once I'm finished photographing them.

• Get your wedding rings & the rest of your jewelry cleaned the week before your wedding so they're extra shiny and sparkly in photos. I'll photograph you putting on your earrings, necklace, & other jewelry, so keep these items in your details container to start your day.

• Have your flowers delivered to the same location that your details will be captured. This way your bouquets and boutonnières can be included as well! Even better? Ask your florist to send along extra blooms to be included in your flat lay images. Most florists love receiving these images and will happily oblige!

• Give your full invitation suite a time a shine for portraits of their very own. After all, you likely chose those exact invites because they perfectly represented & summarized everything you envisioned for your wedding day aesthetic. These shots are always the first that I include in a wedding album for that very reason! Be sure to include every piece - such as invites, RSVP cards, Save-the-Date cards, envelopes, ceremony programs, menu cards, and any other stationary pieces you've designed. Include duplicates of any piece that is double-sided so that both sides can be displayed in the same image!

• Set aside 60 minutes to photograph these detail shots - especially if you have a lot of details you want captured! It takes longer than you'd think to get everything prepped, straightened, and in perfect focus. This also allows more cushion time in photographing you getting ready and hanging out with your favorite people.

• Don't forget the hanger! The plastic hanger from your bridal shop may be the most practical for storing your dress, but it doesn't photograph well. Do yourself a favor (& your dress photos!) by finding something a bit more attractive. It could be something as simple as a white wooden hanger or something customized with your future last name! Wanting an image of your dress alongside all of your bridesmaids' dresses? Having matching hangers has a HUGE impact on how those photos look!

• Elevate the overall aesthetic of your detail portraits by making them cohesive with the rest of your day. Including extra or leftover elements of ribbons, napkins, lace, and (especially!) florals in your details container help tie this part of your wedding day story in with the rest of your gallery.

Like what you see? I'd love to hear from you!