Tips and Tricks :: Getting ready for the details

On the majority of wedding days we photograph, we begin the day by taking photos of the Bridal Suite details. This timeframe can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the amount of details that need to be photographed and the overall layout of the day. Either way, when we arrive to begin shooting it’s always best if all of the detail items are gathered and ready for their close up.

We always like to come into the Bridal Suite quietly, without disrupting the events going on inside. We’ll quickly say hello to the Bride, introduce ourselves to her Bridesmaids and anyone else who will be with us in the room that morning. From there, we let the girls get back to their getting ready tasks as we go off to photograph the detail items. We always ask that these items are already put into a corner of the room where we can access them without having to bother the Bride or Bridesmaids. If we arrive and the Bride’s shoes are downstairs, the dress is in the bathroom, the jewelry is in someone’s purse, the garter is in the car, and the perfume is lost… we’ll lose a lot of time tracking these items down, and we’ll have to impose on the Bride to help us find them when she shouldn’t be lifting a finger. So our Tip today is to have all the bridal suite details gathered up in one place, ready to be photographed.

So what do we mean by “Bridal Suite Details”? We always tell our Brides “Anything you’ll be wearing today, we want to photograph”. Here’s a list of what we like to photograph:

1. The dress

2. The shoes

3. The veil or headpiece

4. The perfume bottle

5. The jewelry – earrings, necklace, bracelet, heirloom pins, etc.

6. The garter

7. The handbag

8. The something blue

9. The hankie

10. The bouquet

11. All 3 rings (Groom’s included)

12. The stationary (Remember to keep an invitation suite for yourself, and hold it in a folder until your wedding day)

Not to mention… if a Bride has a special heirloom piece of jewelry or something special that’s been passed down to her but won’t actually be wearing it, we’re happy to take some photos of those items as well.

Additionally, by gathering and thinking through the detail items prior to our arrival, Brides will be able to ensure all of the items they want in photos, will in fact be photographed. Sometimes when we have to go on a scavenger hunt for the detail items, things get left out. Brides will completely forget to let us know they plan on wearing a different pair of shoes for the reception, and they’ll be missed.

So take it from two big time planners, and make sure you have a list of the Bridal Suite Detail items ahead of time, then the morning of your wedding make sure all of those items are gathered together ready for us when we arrive! It will make the morning of your wedding so much easier, and your photos will benefit from it too.