How to Get the Perfect Wedding Detail Photos and Prepare a Wedding Details Box

I can’t be the only one who drools over the most perfect wedding detail photos. There’s just something about seeing every little detail of the wedding come together. Capturing a small moment in time to look back on. A way to remember all the special things that made your day unique to you as a couple.

They’re not only some of my favorite pictures to look at, but also some of my favorite photos to capture. You can learn so much about a couple from their wedding detail photos. While I always try my best to get to know my couples during our video call and engagement sessions. Seeing what each couple chooses to add to their details box helps me connect with my clients even more. 

Why are wedding detail photos so important?

I can probably guarantee to you that most of us have never thought about wedding detail photos. There’s a lot on your mind when planning a wedding and sometimes the little details are the last thing we’re thinking about. Trust me, I get it. And that’s why I’m here!

Capturing what makes your day unique and special to you as a couple is my goal when shooting your wedding. I want everyone to look back on their pictures and be brought back in time to their incredible day. Which is why I take so much pride in capturing all the little details.

Having the wedding detail photos is a great way to remember your beautiful invitations, the flowers you used and so much more that made your day.. YOURS. Placing these sweet characteristics of your wedding day in a box for your photographer makes it super easy for you to relax and get ready for your big day, while I start documenting your wedding day with your details box. Capturing these special features is the first thing I do when photographing a wedding event.

What to include in your details box for your wedding detail photos

Now that you know why your wedding detail photos are so important it’s time to learn what you should include in your details box. While most of the details are pretty self explanatory, it helps to get a list together and prepare ahead of time for the wedding detail photos.

Wedding Invitations

One of the most important details for your photos is your wedding invites. You’re going to want to factor this into your invitation count when you order them. Make sure you have 2 extra sets of wedding invitations as well as the envelopes, if they have any special details on them.

Save the Dates

If you did any save the dates, this can also be another item to add to your details box. While not as important as the actual invite, it’s still something your photographer may choose to capture if you have it.   

Tip: consider addressing an envelope to a special person, maybe to honor a family member or pay homage to a favorite celebrity.

The Brides Details

A lot of things in this list don’t necessarily need to be in your details box, but they will be in your wedding details photos. So you’ll want to be thinking ahead and either have these items in your wedding details box or set aside.

Wedding dress

I can NOT wait to see your wedding dress! Once I’m done greeting everyone and getting settled this is going to be one of the first things I grab. You’ll want to make sure that your dress is steamed and hung up before I get there, so it’s ready for action!

Bridesmaid dress

You don’t necessarily need all of the bridesmaid dresses (unless you want them all captured!) but it does help to have at least one bridesmaid set their dress aside. I can use this to take pictures with the wedding dress or even as a background to the wedding detail photos.

Dress hanger

In my opinion, this is definitely something you’ll want to buy ahead of time. The hangers that your dress comes with are not the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see. A simple wooden hanger or even a personalized wedding hanger can make the biggest difference. 

Veil/Hairpiece

Whether you decide to wear a veil or a headpiece, I will want to capture either one! If your stylist needs it before I arrive, no worries! I can still get beautiful pictures of it in your hair. It just won’t be in your flatlay wedding detail photos. If your stylist is able to spare the veil/hairpiece for a little, I always love adding those details to the flatlays!

Engagement and both wedding rings

This is definitely something I would keep with either the Maid of Honor, Best Man or in the details box. Your rings are one of the most important small details in your wedding. I not only want to capture every little detail of the rings, but I also want you to know that they are in safe hands.  

Shoes

I’ll probably steal these away with the dress to capture them together. But I might also use these for even more wedding detail photos. Wedding shoes have some of the most dainty little details and can be used in so many ways to enhance the photos.

Bouquet

You’ll want to make sure that your bouquet and flowers are delivered to your bridal suite before I arrive. The flowers are a great way to tie in all the details to your wedding and will definitely be used in the flatlays!

Jewelry

Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, whatever you’ll be wearing on the wedding day. I want to see it all! If a certain piece of jewelry has a special place in your heart, let me know and I’ll be sure to pay a little more attention to that item.

Perfume

I not only want to take pictures of the perfume, but I’ll also want to capture you putting it on. I love it when brides have a signature scent for the wedding day!

Something old or new, borrowed and blue

We all know the saying. ‘Something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new.’ If you choose to follow this tradition, add them to your details box so I make sure to capture them!

Any family heirlooms

This could be your mothers necklace, or your father’s watch. If you’ve chosen to honor a family member by wearing a family heirloom make sure you have it in the details box.

The Grooms Details

This list won’t be as long as the items for the bride, but there are still some special items for the groom that we want to be sure to include!

Dress shoes

I’m not only going to want to capture these on their own or with the bride’s shoes, but I also want to make sure I get the groom putting them on as well. So be sure to tell your significant other to wait until I arrive to put them on!

Tie

This is another item that I not only want to capture on its own and possibly in the flatlay wedding detail photos. But you want to make sure the groom waits to put this on until I arrive. This is also a great photo opportunity if you have a mother, father or even Best Man helping with the tie.

Cufflinks

If your groom chooses to wear cufflinks, be sure to add these to the wedding details box! I love seeing what cufflinks grooms chose to wear and if the monogram them or not

Watch

A watch is a very classy and manly way to spruce up your suit. I love seeing what type of watch my grooms go with. Some go with a classic leather, others may even have a pocket watch and some may choose to go without. Whatever the case, if he’s wearing a special watch, I’ll want to get pictures!

Socks (if special)

I know.. This seems like an odd one. But you would be surprised by how many grooms show up with special socks for the wedding day. (Think: socks with dogs, burgers or candy corn on them) And a lot of times, the groomsmen have them as well! If your groom or groomsmen have chosen some unique socks, I can guarantee that I will want to capture that!

Boutonniere

When the flowers are delivered to the suite, be sure to set this aside! I not only want to capture this in the wedding detail photos, but I want to be sure to get pictures of the groom putting this on as well.

Tie clip

Your groom may or may not have this. But if they do, add it to the wedding detail box! 

Cologne

Once again, I love knowing if you’ll have a signature scent for your wedding and the groom is no different. If he’s chosen a specific scent be sure to set it aside so I can capture not only the cologne, but the groom putting it on too.

Heirloom accessories

If your groom has chosen to wear his dad’s watch or grandfather’s tie, be sure to let me know! I want to be sure to pay special attention to your groom’s heirloom accessories.

Additional items

Supporting Elements

This could be anything from ribbons to vintage stamps or even a mirror like this client did! Whatever little details bring out the personality in your wedding, feel free to add!

Flowers 

I know we’ve mentioned these a couple of times before… so I apologize for the repetitiveness. But I wanted to add it again to give you a little tip. When you book your wedding florist, ask your florist to include “loose” wedding flowers

I know my florist did this at no additional cost to us and we were able to use these flowers that would have otherwise been trashed to create beautiful wedding details photos.

When and how to prepare your details box

When looking for a box to store your items in, I wouldn’t go crazy. There are so many different stores with options from wood to cardboard and plastic. Amazon would be a great online option and Target and Hobby Lobby would be better choices if you would rather choose it in person.

Once you’ve chosen your box it’s time to start making that checklist! Hopefully this was a good place for you to start. And you’re able to take what you need and leave what you don’t. You’re going to want the checklist finalized about a month in advance to your wedding. This will give you some wiggle room to get everything together and also add things if you think of them.

About a week before your wedding, start putting everything together and place it in the box. This would also be a good time to assign this box to either your maid of honor or wedding coordinator to keep track of on the day of the wedding.

I know most of the details we talked about should easily fit into your details box, but there will also be some things that won’t. The items that won’t fit in the box i.e. shoes and wedding dress, should be in close proximity to the wedding details box.

Congrats!! You’ve made it to the end! And with a wedding details box nearly wrapped up and ready to go. This may seem like a lot, but when you get to sit back, relax, and enjoy your wedding day- you’ll thank yourself for having the details organized and captured in memories.