Your wedding day is a collection of beautiful moments, each telling a unique part of your love story. Capturing these intricate details is like preserving fragments of your special day in a time capsule. From the bride’s attire to the groom’s accessories, fresh florals to printed invitations, and those personal touches that make your wedding uniquely yours, these elements form your love story. To make sure your photographer captures the essence of your big day, here are the top 5 essential items to include for wedding details shots.

Essential Item 1: Bride’s Must-Haves

The bride takes center stage on this unforgettable day, and her attire and accessories are an expression of her individual style and personality. Here are the essentials that deserve to shine in the detail shots:

• Wedding Dress and Veil
• Bouquet
• Rings
• Jewelry
• Sentimental/Heirloom Items

Don’t forget to include additional items like shoes, something borrowed or blue, perfume, a custom ring box, and any other meaningful accessories.

Essential Item 2: Groom’s Essentials

While the bride often takes the spotlight, the groom’s details are equally important. Ensure these essentials are ready for their close-up:

• Ring
• Boutonniere

Additionally, consider including items such as the suit, shoes, special socks, watch, bow tie or tie, cufflinks, a stylish ring box, cologne, and any other accessories that complete the groom’s look.

Essential Item 3: Fresh Florals

Fresh flowers are often underestimated when it comes to wedding details, but they have the power to instantly elevate the overall aesthetics of your photos. They also incorporate the visual theme of your wedding day. So that your photographer has the opportunity to incorporate these floral accents into the shots, request a few additional stems and greenery from your florist.

Essential Item 4: Printed Invitation Suite

Your save-the-dates and invitation suites are not just paper; they’re works of art. You’ve invested creativity, time, and effort into these pieces. To ensure they get their moment in the spotlight, include one full copy of each, including envelopes. If you have a printed program for your wedding day, that’s another valuable addition to your detail collection.

Essential Item 5: Unique Wedding Day Details

Every couple has something unique and personal they incorporate into their wedding day. It could be a thoughtful welcome gift for out-of-town guests, a memorable wedding favor, or any personal touches that make your day one of a kind. If it’s special and distinctively yours, make sure it finds its place in your detail box.

Pro Tip: Create a Photographer’s Box

To streamline your photographer’s work, gather all these items into a single box labeled “Photographer.” Have the dress, suit, and veil neatly hung and ready before the photographer arrives. This way, every detail will be captured beautifully, and you’ll save time.

As a Raleigh, North Carolina wedding photographer, I swear by these top 5 essential items to include for wedding details. If you can have all of these together, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning visual narrative of your wedding day.