It’s finally here. The day you’ve been dreaming and planning for forever. The night before you hardly slept. You’re surrounded by all your girls, your hair and makeup are being done, and you hear your photographer arriving. After scrolling Instagram and Pinterest looking at flat lays, ring shots, and dress photos you cannot wait to have some photos of your own perfect day.

Whether you are a type-A planner or a fly by the seat of your pants kind of girl, there are a few things you should have prepped before your photographer arrives. This is especially true if you want shots that commemorate all the small, thoughtful details you put into your wedding. What exactly should have handy by the time your photographer arrives? Here are my top five must-haves:

1. Invitations

This is the one object I find that brides forget the most. Your invitation is often the first big decision you have to make when planning. Also, it’s usually the first visual your guests receive. That’s why commemorating this special piece of paper is really significant. Seeing your names side by side along with the date and location of where you started your lives together is soooo sweet. Not to mention that it also makes the most beautiful flat lays!

2. Flowers/Your Bouquet

If possible, arrange for your flowers to be delivered before your photographer arrives. Flowers provide detail, color, background, and texture to your wedding photos. Also, they are one of the hardest things to save from your big day unless they are dried and carefully stored. That’s why I love featuring your bouquet in your detail shots. By having your wedding flowers photographed, you can always remember how fragrant, vibrant, and full of life they were.

3. Jewelry

When I got married, the bracelet and necklace I wore were borrowed from my mother. They were so sentimental to me, but I couldn’t keep them forever. I made sure to have them handy when I was getting ready so that my photographer could include them in all the detail shots. When my sister got married last summer, she wore my mother’s necklace just like I did. It so sentimental for me to see that same object in both of our photos!

4. Shoes

Are you wearing a pair gorgeous pair of heels? Birkenstocks? Chuck Taylors? Designer? Thrifted? Whatever you wear is totally up to you and is often a reflection of your personality in this phase of life. I always love to include them in the getting ready photos because its such a great expression of your personality!

 

5. Details

Are there any little details that are you unique or special to your story? Maybe you’re wearing the same perfume today that you did on your first date, your garter is made out of your mom’s old wedding dress, or your dad wrote you a letter when you were five that he saved for this day. Anything that is sweet, sentimental, or important to you falls into this category. Even if you think it’s weird or silly make sure you let your photographer know you want it captured and they will turn it into a gorgeous photo.

 

You are going to have so many great days in your life and your wedding will be one of them. Regardless of the morning you have, your wedding day will be perfect. However, in the interest of keeping your stress levels low I recommend that you forward this post to one of your bridesmaids or Maid of Honor. Let her know that this list is important to you and you are trusting her with the task of making sure it gets accomplished! Then, when it gets a bit closer to your wedding, put all of the items you want included in your detail shots in a box. Give the box to your bridesmaid, let the photographer know she has it, and let them take care of the rest.

You are going to have a beautiful wedding and I think that every tiny detail deserves to be captured. With this list in mind, you can rest easy knowing that your team of besties and vendors have got you covered!

 

Liv