Hello, beautiful bride-to-be! Whether you’re days away from walking or you just said “YES!” yesterday, we are so excited to help you make the most of your wedding day and capture as many sweet memories as possible for you and your love.
This is a handy little checklist I love to give to all of my couples prior to their wedding day of things to have ready when I arrive, so they can relax and I can get right to work documenting every part of their day, because the whole day begins with the DETAILS!
The “getting ready” process is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day, because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day! I photograph a bride’s details in a way that matches and showcases the style of the entire wedding day. So, in some ways, the details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding and I love having ample time to stylize, and shoot everything from the dress, to the jewelry, to grandma’s handkerchief!
Below, you’ll find a list of the most common details that I shoot. I ask brides to gather any details they have before I arrive that morning or the day prior, and to do the same for your groom or have him do it, so that we can walk in, say hello, give you a big hug (or a fist bump for the guys, haha) and then begin with all the goodies! (Please assure your mom that I will take GREAT care of the dress, I promise!).
WHAT TO BRING: him & her
BRIDE’S LIST
dresses (all of them)
veil/hair pieces
rings (both wedding bands & your engagement ring AND HIS ring)
shoes (all of them)
bouquet & bout
extra clippings (from the florist)
jewelry
perfume
entire invitation suite
extra envelope & invitation (especially if there is something special on the back)
program
borrowed & blue
heirlooms of any sort
Bridesmaids gifts
Guests welcome gifts
anything else you want photographed
gifts you’re giving to him and your parents or anyone else
GROOM’S LIST
tux
shoes
cuff links & bowtie
cologne
his handkerchief
heirlooms of any sort
gifts he’s giving to you and anyone else
any other details that he is excited about
Pro Tips:
Sometimes, depending on the theme and “look” of the wedding day, there may be some extra elements that you could include when you gather your details. For example, if you’re having a greenery themed wedding, you could include a piece of your floral greenery or some leaves for me to use when I’m shooting your rings, invitation suite and shoes.
KEEP all three rings. The most common detail missing when I arrive are the rings! Moms, officiants and planners will tell you to hand over your wedding band to the best man before the day begins. However, it’s actually better to hand it over during the bridal party portraits so that I can shoot some great ring shots early!
And lastly, don’t forget the bouquet! Have the bouquets and bouts delivered to the bridal suite before the first look so that you can have your bouquet in your portraits. If it’s hot, we’ll be sure to keep it in water as much as possible before the ceremony!
If possible, collect all of your details before I arrive and gather them in a corner of the room or in a bag, and have your groom do the same with his things. So many times his details are not documented because it is not thought about, but I love having my second shooter document his attire as well!
I hope this helps you feel prepared so you can relax as much as possible on the morning of your big day and just ENJOY!!
xoxo,
Kel
