OKAY so what the heck are the details? And why are they such a big deal? I have talked before about the details and my love for them! And there’s a reason why we kick off a wedding day with these little details. I truly believe that detail photos start the day off by telling your wedding day story before it actually begins.

Pause real quick:

I went ~live~ about this very topic earlier this week and went into way more detail! You can watch that at this link here! (Psst…there are definitely easy peasy checklists for you to screenshot during it!)

Here’s what I say: If your gallery is like a book details are like the intro or the acknowledgement 

The details are all of the small pieces of your wedding day that you have put thought, love, and energy into during your planning process. These are things like your invitation suite and other paper goods, your jewelry, your something borrowed and other family heirlooms. 

Things that without this time carved out of the beginning of the day, would not get photographed.

The reason I think the details are so important is because you have spent so much time and put in so much special care to these elements that really cultivate the feeling, the energy, the vibe of your wedding day. They deserve their moment!

You get to take home your invitation suite at the end of the day, but what about the more sentimental pieces? Like your grandmother’s ring, your something borrowed, etc. These will not go home with you, but they should not be forgotten. 

Side note, this is also why I love to include small florals from the day. Those especially don’t last, but you’ve chosen those specific florals for a reason! And in a photo, they really tie everything up in a little bow!

Thinking about timeline, we will start the day with your details. Usually you are still getting your hair and make up done. P.S., this is a good reason to have these prepped ahead of time. So while AJ is snapping a few candids of that, I’ll go spend time with the details. 

The more time you can give for these the better, but usually it takes at least 45 minutes, ideally an hour to really lay everything out and get every piece photographed. 

I personally feel a responsibility to helping ensure that the feel for your wedding day is yours. Alongside all the 8 details listed below, I have a whole traveling box worth of styling items in order to really make your details pop. I love getting to be creative and share your story through these photos!

So let’s unpack all the little things that need to go in your detail bag or box!

01. All 3 Rings

You’re probably like duh the rings are the most important part of the story. But here’s why these need to be in the box: Traditionally, the best man holds onto the rings until he hands them over at the ceremony.  And that’s nice and traditional, but can you imagine what the grooms’ room is like at the beginning of the day?

It’s a mess. Not only that, but the guys are often getting ready at a totally different place or hours after the girls are getting ready.

If we can have the rings available before they land with the best man, not only are they safe and sound in the morning. We can photograph them before everything starts so once your ceremony is over, you don’t need to take them off!

I totally get how special those first few hours with your new ring is. Especially for the groom who hasn’t had a ring til now! It’s symbolic and you shouldn’t have to take them off just for a picture.

02. All Pieces of Jewelry

Every piece of jewelry that you’re planning to wear should be in this wedding detail box. Earrings, necklaces, hair pieces, all of it! Even the pieces you had planned to wear but were on the fence about!

This is an easy way to capture an heirloom piece of jewelry (i.e. something borrowed) that you’re not 100% on. It can still be a part of your story and a part of your day if I get to capture it! But then you don’t have to wear it!

03. Your Bouquet + Styling Florals

You should ask your florist for two things. One, if you can have your bouquets delivered to your getting ready room. And two, if you can have the extra little bits of flowers for detail photos! Sometimes florists will even let you tack on a few specific styling florals for real cheap to really elevate your details!

Every one of my favorite detail shots has had these extra styling florals. I think they’re essential to telling the full story of your wedding day!

If you can get your flowers delivered to where you’re getting ready, do it! Not only will you get to admire how stunning they are and get pumped to hold that beauty all day – but it’ll really help ya girl out. While I love to get a shot of you holding your bouquet later in the day, they’re also imperative to the detail shots! I love putting the rings inside a rose or balancing your earrings on a ranunculus. It’s the little things (literally).

04. The Full Invitation Suite

Just as essential as the flowers, if not more, in my opinion! Your invitations are literally the first part of your wedding story that your guests see. These are so important when deciding the feel, the colors, the mood of the whole day. That’s why we use them to tell the overall story in your details!

Here’s something I like to ask for specifically: two invitation suites instead of one! Or even if it’s just two of the biggest pieces: the main invitation and the envelope. If your envelope has a pretty inlay, I’ll want to photograph that alongside the outside color of the envelope. Same with the invite – usually there’s something on the front and back that I’ll want in the same photo!

Having two suites is not a deal breaker, but it is something to keep in mind if the invitations are something you worked hard on and want to feature!

05. Perfume

By far the most overlooked detail, but definitely an important part of your day. This article from Martha Stewart Weddings talks about how scent is a major memory trigger and why wearing a new perfume on your wedding is so important! Picking the perfect fragrance is so important! It usually is a gorgeous bottle that I love incorporating into the detail photos! Make sure it goes in your box before you need to put it on after your dress!

06. Family heirlooms & something borrowed

I touched on this earlier with the jewelry, but make sure your something borrowed, something blue, etc. are in the box! This could also be any special family heirlooms that have been passed down. A few heirloom examples that we’ve seen recently have been the grandmother’s handkerchief, a beaded bridal purse that’s been passed down, and jewelry that has been saved for this special day. One bride even had her mother and both grandmother’s wedding rings! These could also be brooches, ribbons, or anything with sentimental value to you or your family. These heirloom items are so important and definitely need to be highlighted and remembered.

07. Shoes

Don’t forget the shoes! Just like all these little details, your shoes are something you’ve picked out special just for your day. We cannot forget them! It doesn’t matter if they’re flats, stilettos, sneakers – I’ve gotta have them! If they don’t fit in your detail box, just make sure they’re nearby so we don’t have to hunt for them while you’re getting your hair and make up done!

08. Bonus: The Groom’s Details!

The groom’s details are just as important as all your special, hand picked jewelry! Most likely your groom has a special watch picked out. Sometimes there are significant cufflinks that were a gift a while back. More often than not, there are some really cool socks that have been picked special for this day! Even if there’s special cologne just like your perfume! If all of those little things are in your detail box, I can grab them after all the standard details. Then when AJ goes to get the guys getting ready, he can take all those details back!

So now what do you do when you have everything rounded up? Put it in a special box or bag that is distinctive enough that someone else can grab it for you. Better yet, delegate someone who will be in your getting ready room to keep tabs on the box and everything around it! More often than not, you will be in the middle of getting your hair and/or make up done, so getting up and hunting down all the details isn’t a viable option. Having everything all ready to go is imperative!

Have you thought about your morning schedule once you get those details out of the way? Start with our timeline tip series that goes through the entire day, start to finish!

Before you go, I have a little freebie for you! It’s a real quick, easy peasy guide to your details! With a list you can even print out to be extra prepared!!