One of the most overlooked but impactful parts of your wedding day photography is your detail photos. These images are the little cherries on top of an entire gallery that tell the story of your day before the ceremony even begins. From heirloom jewelry to invitation suites, thoughtfully setting aside your wedding details allows your photographer to capture elevated images that reflect your style and the intention behind your celebration.
If you want timeless wedding photos that feel luxurious and magazine worthy, this guide walks you through exactly what to have ready on your wedding morning for me!
Wedding detail photos are captured at the very beginning of the wedding day while hair and makeup are finishing. Having your wedding details organized ahead of time allows your photographer to work efficiently and creatively, while you relax and enjoy a calm wedding morning.
I typically begin by styling your wedding details on my styling mat for a clean, curated, editorial look. I also incorporate select details into the venue environment, using natural light, texture, and architecture to create elevated, storytelling wedding detail photos.
This approach ensures your details translate polished, intentional, and visually connected to the overall design of your wedding day.
Bride Wedding Details to Photograph
Your bridal details are some of the most sentimental images from your wedding day. These pieces often hold personal meaning and elevate your gallery with soft, romantic textures. Items along the lines of something borrowed and something blue.
Be sure to set aside the following bridal details for your photographer:
All rings including engagement ring and wedding bands
Wedding shoes
Veil
Dress hanger
Wedding dress
Perfume
Bracelets
Necklace
Bouquet
Loose florals from florist
Vow books or personal letters
Earrings
These items help tell the story of your bridal style and are often some of the most saved and shared images from a wedding gallery.
Groom Wedding Details to Photograph
Groom details are just as important and help balance the story of your day. Clean, intentional styling makes a huge difference in how these images photograph.
Have your groom set aside these details before your photographer arrives:
Suit or tux
Tie or bow tie
Cologne
Cufflinks
Shoes
Boutonniere
Handkerchief
Watch
Having these items ready allows your photographer to capture intentional, refined detail images that complement the bridal details beautifully.
Extra Wedding Details Worth Photographing
Some of the most meaningful photos come from the unexpected extras. These details add depth, personality, and heirloom value to your wedding gallery.
Consider setting aside these additional items:
Invitation suite including envelopes
Heirlooms or sentimental family pieces
Custom ring box
Second bridal dress
Menu or place cards
Gathering these will help your wedding photos feel layered and deeply personal, especially for couples who value storytelling photography. A lot of couples head over to Etsy for beautifully customized items. I also love it when my couples include their invitation suite. Two copies to be exact to ensure capturing both the front and back in one photo.
The easiest way to stay organized is to place all your wedding details into one box the night before your wedding. That way, when your photographer arrives, everything is ready to go and you can fully enjoy a calm, stress free morning.
Final Thoughts
Wedding detail photos are more than beautiful flat lays. They preserve the intentional design choices, heirlooms, and personalized touches that made your wedding day unique. By setting aside your details ahead of time, you give your photographer the creative space to craft timeless, editorial images that feel true to your love story.
If you are planning a wedding and want photography that captures not just how it looked but how it felt, thoughtful preparation makes all the difference. Or, if you’re a photographer, here’s the most helpful blog to help prep for a wedding day during the year.
