The Detail Box

What items should you bring on your wedding day?

 

The details on the wedding day really help to tell the story of your wedding. They are the little items that, separately, might not seem like a whole lot, but when you put them all together and in photographs, they really tell the feeling of your day and how you planned it. Wedding details can be anything from the shoes of the bride and groom, to the invitation, flowers, and the favors you give your guests. These are all important little moments that you have thought about for your wedding day and photographing these details helps to showcase and bring the wedding day together.

 

I love to tell my brides to have a detail box on her wedding day. This box is something that I can easily grab and shoot all the details right when I arrive at the getting-ready room. Likewise, if the groom has all of his items gathered up for Scott to photograph that is awesome! The reception details will not be in the box, and flowers most likely won’t be either, The dress and suit will be out of the box,  but all of the smaller items in the box is a great way to keep it organized and ready to go on the wedding day! I photograph all of the bride’s details and Scott, my husband, who is with the guys, shoots all of the groom’s details. We shoot the ceremony and reception details as they unfold during the wedding day, but getting the smaller details like dress, jewelry, shoes, ties, etc., during the morning is always a plus!

 

Here is a list of items that are perfect to go into your detail box!

Bridal List:

 

Bonus – Your Wedding Dress – This won’t fit in the box, but having it ready to go and know that your adorable hanger is in the box is good!

 

1. Wedding Rings – This includes both wedding bands and your engagement ring. You will most likely be wearing your engagement ring, so I will just borrow it for a couple of minutes while I shoot all the rings together.

 

2. Necklace, Earrings, Bracelets, etc.

 

3. Headpieces, veils, birdcages, pretty hair pins, etc.

 

4. Perfume bottle

 

5. Shoes – Are you wearing one pair for the ceremony and one for the reception? Put them both in the box.

 

6. Invitation – This one is sometimes hard to remember.   Usually, you end up with a couple extra invitations for your wedding – Toss one or two of the invites into the box and I can take pictures of the invites. I know I have our wedding invitation in a special box, but on the off chance that our wedding box gets destroyed, I know that I have photographs to remember the invitation!

 

7. Garter if you have one!

 

8. Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue – A lot of times these might be items that are already listed above. If not, then add them in!

 

9. Any other special items and mementos you want to be photographed – This can be a handkerchief that you plan to wrap around your bouquet, a special rosary or necklace from a grandparent, etc.

 

Groom List

 

The groom list is a little smaller, but still just as important!

Here are some things that can go into a Groom detail box:

 

1. cufflinks

 

2. tie/bowtie/etc.

 

3. shoes

 

4. special socks

 

5. watch

 

A couple of helpful tips is to have all of the flowers arrive at the getting-ready room. This ensures that we are able to take pictures of the boutonnieres and the bouquets before the day starts, and you will have all of your flowers for any separate bridal party formals or for your First Look!

 

Another awesome tip is to have a couple of extra sprigs of flowers or greenery from your florist. Usually, they have extra blooms or extra greenery sprigs. Just ask if they can also be added to your order so I have a couple of extra greens to work with for your detail shots. It sounds silly, but having that extra little bit of flower ties your non-floral details into the theme of the wedding even more!

 

I love being able to focus on the details all at once and having them in boxes really does help to keep everything organized. I know so many of our brides LOVE the detail box, because whenever someone asks them where is the garter, necklace, etc., all they have to say is, “Oh, it’s in the detail box on the table,” instead of “It is in the pink polka dot bag inside the purple bag that is somewhere over there.” I have even noticed that our wedding guide magazine that has a lot of these tips in it ends up in the detail box, which I love! I am so happy that our couples use the magazine we mail out to them with helpful engagement session and wedding day tips!

 

I hope this is helpful in planning your wedding!

 

 

 

 

Reception Venue: Caylie and Ryan’s Wedding – Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in Powell Ohio 

Bridal Details and Groom Details: Caitlin and Johnny’s wedding at Heritage Golf Club in Hilliard Ohio

 and Caylie and Ryan’s Wedding at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in Powell Ohio