If you’ve been pursuing other couples’ wedding galleries, you’ve probably seen those fabulously styled wedding invitations suites that look super beautiful. From the perfect envelope, to the ribbon and gossamer, to the quaint little trinkets around it – it all works together and it all looks absolutely beautiful. What you don’t see is the preparation behind such beautiful image. While it isn’t a super time-consuming or expensive task, there are a few small things you can do to prepare your details so that they look their most beautiful all together. These are the details that will be a cherished part of your wedding day memories, and preparing in advance will allow you to have the most gorgeous images to remember all the special little details.

A week before the wedding day, I send couples a reminder check list of all the little things they might want to include for their detail photos. I also ask that they gather these items in a box or bag a few days in advance, so that they’re safely prepared for me all in one place when I arrive on the wedding day! However, I won’t necessarily know all the things that are important to you, so this article expands on what I believe truly makes detail photos beautiful & unique.

#1. The Key to Photogenic Invitations

Your wedding invitation suite is so special – it’s the literal information about your wedding day and it represents you as a couple! No matter how simple or complex you plan to make it, you’ll want to remember and preserve your wedding invitations. It’s for this reason that I always make sure that I have the invitation suite when I gather all the details to photograph at the beginning of your wedding day.

There are a few simple things you can do that make a huge difference in the way your invitations photograph:

#1. Provide two copies: giving me two copies of your invitation suite allows me to use fronts/backs simultaneously, multiple envelopes, and generally have more space to be creative.

#2. Address the envelope: one of the invites you provide me should be addressed and stamped. If you don’t have someone professionally addressing the envelopes for you, consider having someone hand-address it in calligraphy or script to make it look extra-beautiful! Make sure it’s addressed to either yourselves or your parents – NOT me! You do not want my name in your photos!

#3. Don’t actually send it through the mail: it may seem obvious, but don’t send your extra copies through the mail! They often will get a little bit bent or dirty, so just order 2 extra copies when you place your order!

#2. You Need Fresh Flowers

One of the best ways to add personality to your detail photos is to provide your photographer with a few fresh stems. Most florists are more than happy to deliver a few extra flowers for these detail photos, and extra greenery also goes a long way! Be sure that your florist is making her delivery early enough so that the photographer can utilize the flowers. We generally photograph details at the very beginning of the day, as soon as we arrive, and many other photographers do the same thing. If your florist is arriving shortly before the ceremony, the timing might not work out. If you can’t get your florist to deliver early enough, consider saving some flowers from your rehearsal dinner or even grabbing a small bunch at Trader Joe’s! They really do make all the difference!

#3. Styling Materials Matter

As an artist, I’m always thinking about how to photograph something in the most creative and beautiful way. When it comes to detail photos, I bring my own little kit of styling materials to enhance your detail photos. It’s never anything that takes away from the actual details – just some ribbons, lace, and fabrics that add texture and depth to the image. However, some couples actually go the extra mile and pick out these items for themselves! Samples from bridesmaids’ dresses, lace from your mom’s or grandmother’s wedding dress, ribbon that matches your colors, or a pretty ring box that accentuates your diamond: I think about adding all these items to your details, and it’s such a treat when couples select and provide me with these materials as a part of their details!

#4. The Little Things that Make a Big Difference

Ultimately, what makes your wedding unique is that it’s all about you two: your shared life & experiences. It’s the smallest details that often make a wedding the most unique. As you gather up materials for the detail photos, consider what little objects & trinkets represent you two – both individually & as a couple. I’ve had couples give me antique photographs of relatives who have passed, family heirlooms (lockets, rings, good luck charms, etc.), customized wax seal stamps, custom ring boxes, hand-written vows, and more. Even if these little things are specifically a part of your wedding day, think about including those little things that represent who you are!