Wedding Day Detail Photos: What to Include and Why They Matter

One of my favorite parts of capturing a wedding day is photographing wedding day detail photos. These images are a chance to showcase the small, meaningful elements that make your wedding unique. From sentimental heirlooms to carefully curated accessories, these details help tell the story and set the tone of your big day.

Maybe you’re wearing your grandmother’s pearl earrings, your dad’s cufflinks, or a bracelet gifted by your partner that morning. Or maybe your wedding invitation suite includes a custom sketch of you and your fiancé, or your shoes are embroidered with your new last name. These little touches deserve to be documented. 

How I Capture Your Wedding Day Detail Photos

When it comes to taking wedding day detail photos, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll find a beautiful, well-lit spot at your venue to arrange and photograph everything. If you’re concerned about whether there will be a good location for these shots, trust me—you’d be surprised at what I can make work!

I usually take these photos while you’re getting ready, so they don’t take away from your timeline. To make things easier, you can have all these details put together in advance and then once I am done, I will be sure that everything gets back to you! 

How to Prepare for Your Wedding Detail Photos

Here are a few simple tips:

Prepare a Box of Details: A week before your wedding, set aside a box with all the small details you want photographed. This keeps things simple and easy!
Assign a Point Person: Ask a bridesmaid, relative, or coordinator to be in charge of handing over the detail box and returning items when I’m finished.
Make a Checklist: If you’re worried about forgetting something, create a list of all the wedding details you want photographed.

What to Include in Your Wedding Detail Photos

Wondering what to include in your wedding detail photos? Here’s a list of ideas:

For the Bride:

Shoes
Veil or hair accessories
Jewelry (earrings, bracelets, rings, etc.)
Perfume bottle
Wedding dress
Vow book
Invitation suite (save-the-date, RSVP card, envelopes)
Your something old, new, borrowed, and blue

For the Groom:

Suit or tuxedo details (jacket, pocket square, tie)
Tie or bowtie
Tie pin or cufflinks
Watch
Socks (especially if they’re fun or sentimental!)
Shoes
Cologne
Handwritten vows
Custom accessories (monogrammed belt, engraved ring box)

Other Meaningful Details to Consider:

Wedding rings in a unique ring box
Heirloom items (locket, rosary, handkerchief, etc.)
Ceremony program
Bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
Wax seals or calligraphy name cards
Ribbon or fabric swatches from your color scheme
Personalized keepsakes

Etsy is one of my favorite places to find unique, customizable wedding day details. You can find small shops for everything from wedding bands and rings to embroidered shoes, to gorgeous dried flower bouquets!

Why Wedding Detail Photos Matter (and Why I Love Them!)

Your wedding day is going to fly by. One minute you’re sipping mimosas in your getting-ready robe, and the next, you’ll be on the dance floor. And while the big moments—like your first look, first kiss, and first dance—are important, the little details deserve their moment too.

You spent months picking out the perfect invitation suite, searching for shoes that are both stunning and (hopefully) comfy, and finding the perfect jewelry.  Maybe your perfume is the one your partner always compliments, or your grandma’s locket is wrapped around your bouquet. These aren’t just things—they’re part of your love story!

That’s why I love capturing wedding day detail photos. They’re like little time capsules that bring you back to the moment—the excitement, the anticipation, and all the emotions leading up to your “I do.” 

When you flip through your wedding album years from now, these little moments will make you smile just as much as the big ones.

I would love to capture all the moments of your wedding day, big and small. Reach out here and let’s get started!