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5 Wedding Detail Photo Tips | How to Get Amazing Detail Photos On Your Wedding Day

I love creating detail photos for my clients. Starting the wedding day by artfully styling rings, shoes, invitation suites, and other personal items is always personally and creatively fulfilling for me, but that’s not the primary reason why I create these carefully-styled flatlay photographs.

I recently made an Instagram post about why I feel detail photos are so important on your wedding day, and because I believe in serving brides and grooms and giving back to the community, I thought it was only fitting that I put together this guide filled with wedding detail photo tips to help you (and your photographer) create magazine-worthy detail photos on your wedding day.

So, read on for my 5 top wedding detail photo tips! wedding detail photo tips

Why should we add detail photos to our wedding day timeline?

You bought a pair of shoes that make you feel like a Cinderalla-type princess, and a special bottle of perfume that is going to remind you of this day every time you put it on. You put hours of time and effort into designing the perfect invitation suite, and perhaps you’ve even sourced family heirlooms for your day — a vintage brooch, an antique ring box, a ring that’s been in the family for generations…

I believe detail photographs are so important because a beautifully-styled set of flatlay images filled with small heirloom items takes on a new meaning as you look back at your gallery and reminisce about those small, meaningful, and impactful pieces of your day. I believe the small pieces of your day should be just as beautiful and memorable as the large elements like the ceremony, portraits, and reception.

Jessica Aaron Wedding Navy Pier Chicago IL 202014

Wedding Detail Photo Tips for Elegant Flatlay Images

Follow these simple wedding detail photo tips to empower your photographer to create a collection of beautiful detail images that will serve as gorgeous capstones for your wedding gallery!

#1: Gather

Take some time the week before your wedding to collect all of the items you want your photographer to include in your detail images, and put them all in a small box or tray, and bring that to your getting ready suite to start your wedding day. If you’re working with a professional wedding planner, he or she might even be able to help you check these items off your getting ready to-do list.

While every wedding story is different, some typical items to gather for your detail photos include rings, shoes, jewelry, invitations, perfume, and any family heirlooms you’ve curated for your wedding day (something borrowed, blue, etc…).

A note about rings: Please make sure that all three rings are at the bride’s getting ready location at the start of the day so we can include these in your getting ready photographs. We’re happy to help get the rings back to the best man/guys’ suite before the ceremony starts!

#2: Prepare the Invitation Suite

Please provide two full copies of the invitation suite–envelopes, invitations, RSVP cards, and any other documents you may have included. We ask for two copies of everything in case your cards are double-sided or you’ve curated envelopes with elegant liners.

Ask your calligrapher to address one envelope with a fictitious guest and address so we don’t expose any personal information when we blog your detail images as a part of your wedding day highlights post.

Monica James Wedding Comida Restaurant Evanston IL 2021 2

#3: Don’t overlook other paper goods

If you have bespoke menus or place cards for the reception, don’t forget those paper goods, either! Adding these to your detail images allows us to elevate the story of your wedding day that much further.

#4: Consider florals

Ask your florist for a handful of “loose stems” so your photographer can style those as well. In addition to photographing your bouquet and floral centerpieces throughout the wedding day, weaving loose flowers that are in sync with your wedding day aesthetic into your flatlay photographs just ties the images together. wedding detail photo tips

If you’re not sure how many blooms to ask your florist for, a good starting point is a half dozen stems of your main flowers, a few accent blooms, and a handful of cut greenery. The more loose florals we have, the more luxuriously we can style your detail images!

Lehmann Mansion Wedding Editorial Lake Villa IL 3

#5: Plan for the details

Creating a beautiful suite of flatlay images takes time! That’s why we always ask our couples for at least 30 minutes to style and craft their detail photos. The more time you’re able to give us, the more attention and care we can give to capturing all of those little details you’ve so thoughtfully curated.

We bring styling kits to every wedding we photograph; these include linen boards to put your details on, antique trays and ring dishes, as well was ring boxes by The Mrs. Box, and silk ribbons. Be sure you’ve communicated your wedding colors to us well in advance of the wedding so we can pack the right accessories in our kits!

By following these 5 wedding detail photo tips, you’re sure to love your wedding day detail photos when your full gallery arrives in your inbox! wedding detail photo tips

If you are looking for a Chicago Fine Art Wedding Photographer, please contact Joshua Harrison Photography today. wedding detail photo tips