Bridal Details Checklist
Wedding Wednesday
It’s that time of the week again where I get to share a little snippet of education for all the Bride-to-be’s out there to make their wedding day be a little more peaceful! That sounds dreamy? Right?! :) Here we go!
This is all about BRIDAL DETAILS! Since I have been doing this over a year now, there are some trends I have started to notice about brides on the morning of their wedding day, and they usually end up in one of 2 different categories.
4 weeks before your wedding day we will have a video call just to go over all of the timeline details I have been sent and/or made, go over any questions you may have, and I will go over the family formal shot list you would have sent me by this point. I will also tell you to put all of your “Bridal details” in a box or bag for easy access for when I get there. Here are where the 2 categories come into play :)
1). Immediately after our call you find a designated box/bag for all of your details. Even if you don’t have them all, you have most by this point and can add to it as you get the remaining things you may need, like a last-minute necklace or earring change. I show up on your wedding day, meet the bridal party while everyone is getting hair and makeup done, give the bride a “It’s your WEDDING DAY!” hug, grab your bridal details that are ready for me, and I can start photographing them to stay on time!
or 2). I show up on the wedding day and the groom has the wedding bands. Nobody knows where the veil is that was supposed to come in mom’s car. The bouquets haven’t arrived yet. The planner has the invitation. You have to pause hair and makeup and you are scrambling to find your earrings that fell to the bottom of your purse. The necklace got left in the car, and the list goes on of things I have seen.
Sounds CHAOTIC, right? It is! Wedding days are stressful enough, and having your bridal details together in one spot for grab and go is one way to ensure you have control over the peace of your morning, because YOU DESERVE IT!
Here are some of the common things I shoot. Some brides have more, and some not so much. No way is right or wrong, but whatever details you may have, here is a list of things in case you feel like you may be forgetting something!
THE DRESS. Huge tip: If you don’t have a custom hanger for the dress, make sure you have a decent hanger for your beautiful gown! Your wedding dress deserves more than a plastic Walmart hanger. Having a classy wooden, or white hanger will make all the difference in your photos!
RINGS ( All 3 of them!). I love getting the ring shots with all of the other detail shots so its not forgotten, so I try to have my brides keep the rings with all of the other details, then when I am finished with them I can give them to whoever needs them for the ceremony!
VEIL AND/OR HAIRPEICES.
SHOES. Some brides wear heels but only for a few portraits then switch into something more comfortable, and some wear them all day! Whatever you choose I will photograph both if you have them, so you have the option of having the image of the fancy heels for the album!
EARRINGS. I always ask brides to wait to put on ALL of their jewelry until after you get the dress on! It gives me more chances for me to deliver more beautiful getting ready photos!
NECKLACE
INVITATION (Or any other stationary)
BOUQUETS (and bouts) If your sharing a first look, which I encourage all couples to do because they are amazing!…Then you need to have tour bouquet delivered when you are getting ready so that it can be there for you to have during portraits!
GIFTS. This can be shared between the Bride & Groom or even just gifts that were given from the bridal party, I want to capture it all for you! I also try to make sure I photograph any letters that may have been exchanged between the bride & groom!
I hope this list helps you prep better for your big day! Use it as a guide and add or take away anything to make your day UNIQUE TO YOU!
Thanks for reading
XOXO, SAM.