Don’t Forget To Bring These To The Getting Ready Room!
Sanford I. Weill said it best: “Details create the big picture.” The little details of your wedding day are what bring everything together to create the unique story of your celebration. They are like the sprinkles on top of your wedding day sundae. And boy do I love sprinkles! I love celebrating those tiny details with my couples, and I believe they are so important to preserve in your wedding photos.
To make sure we capture those meaningful little pieces of your day, here are the five things every bride should bring to the getting ready room:
1. Wedding Rings & Jewelry
Traditionally the best man is in charge of holding onto the rings before the ceremony. While that makes sense logistically, it actually works best if all the rings are together earlier in the day. When I photograph your wedding details, I love capturing the engagement ring and wedding bands together, and having them all in one place means we can create those photos without tracking someone down later.
If you are wearing a special necklace, bracelet, or family heirloom, keep everything together in a small jewelry box or bag so it is easy to find when I arrive. This gives me more time to style and photograph those meaningful details instead of everyone digging through bags trying to find them.
2. Invitation Suite
Aside from your save the dates, your invitation suite is the first impression guests get of your wedding day. You spent hours choosing the perfect colors, paper, and design, so it deserves to be documented! Bring a full invitation suite with you to the getting ready room, including the envelope, inserts, and RSVP card.
If you used ribbon, lace, wax seals, or other textures in your invitations, bring those too. These little pieces add depth and beauty to your detail photos. A helpful tip is to keep everything together in one envelope with your jewelry so it is easy for me to find when I arrive.
3. Florals
Florals add so much life and texture to wedding detail photos. Most florists deliver bouquets and boutonnières directly to the ceremony site, which means they often miss being included in the getting ready photos. If possible, ask your florist to deliver them to the house, hotel, or bridal suite where you are getting ready.
This allows me to incorporate them into your detail shots and ensures they are ready when we move into portraits. Having a few vases with water available will help keep them fresh while you are getting ready.
4. Custom Hanger
You have probably spent months searching for the perfect dress. From shopping appointments to fittings and accessories, your gown deserves its own moment in your photos. The plastic hanger your dress comes on does not always photograph well and can be distracting in images.
A wooden or custom hanger instantly elevates your dress photos and creates a cleaner, more polished look. Many brides choose hangers with their new last name, wedding date, or a style that complements their wedding colors.
5. Perfume
Perfume is one of my favorite little details to photograph because it becomes such a meaningful memory from the day. Many brides choose a new perfume for their wedding day, and every time you wear it afterward it brings you right back to those moments.
It is a small detail, but it adds a beautiful personal touch to your getting ready photos!
Photographing wedding details is one of my favorite parts of the day because it lets me be creative while capturing the thoughtful elements that make your wedding unique. Taking a few minutes ahead of time to gather these items will help the morning run smoothly and ensure we capture all the little details that help tell the story of your day.
If you want to make sure your details photograph beautifully together, you might also enjoy reading How To Have Consistent Wedding Day Details, where I share a few tips for making all your wedding elements work together.
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