Why are wedding details so important?
Your flat lay wedding photos, or wedding detail photos set the scene to your day. They're going to be the first thing your wedding photographer wants to do when they arrive and therefore some of the first photos in your wedding album. As the opening scene of a movie sets up the story of the coming film, these opening shots set the tone and aesthetic of your gallery, and start to immerse you back into your wedding day.
Your wedding morning will fly by, and the last thing you want is to forget to include something in the chaos of your wedding prep. You should take some time the night before to put a bag of details aside, so they're ready to go and in one place and not spread over seven bags in four rooms (it happens all the time).
I've shot more than 150 weddings as a Cotswolds Wedding Photographer, and here is what I think you should you include in your Wedding Detail Photos, as well as some tips to make them look extra fabulous.
Checklist of must have wedding details:
1 - Wedding Shoes. Your wedding shoes are a little bit of you, they'll match your style and aesthetic, and this carries over into your wedding photographs, and will make them feel like your photos.
2 - Wedding Jewellery. Similar to your shoes, they'll add little detail's about you to set the tone for your wedding gallery. While I'd recommend a necklace, earrings, your wedding and engagement rings, I'd also recommend not to overcrowd it with similar looking items. If you have three pairs of earrings, a bracelet, two necklaces, five rings and a hairpiece, just choose your favourite pieces to save from having a cluttered look.
3 - Wedding Flowers. These go a little further, and not only include your style, but lean on the wedding style of the day and will match any wedding themes woven into your decor.
4 - Wedding Invites / Save The Date. I love including these for two reasons: Firstly, it's great to help lock the moment in time - having something with your names, the wedding venue and the date on can really take you back to your wedding day. Secondly, is purely from a stylistic and photographers approach... they'll usually have some colour, texture or shape to them that helps with the composition of the photo and bring it all together in your style.
5 - Wedding Veil. Not everyone has a veil, but if you are planning on wearing one, they can look amazing in the photos and often adds a touch of elegance draped across your details.
6 - Perfume. Perfume bottles look amazing in wedding photos, all colours and shapes, old or new, it really adds a splash of personality.
7 - Something Old & Something New. This one's also not for everyone, and although it made the list, it's not quite in the photos. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue. From experience and personal preference, I do these separately in their own photos. They often have a more sentimental value (with old and borrowed items often coming from grandparents or loved ones) and I also don't like them getting lost in the details. It helps to keep both sets of photos looking clean and stop that cluttered look.
This list will give you beautiful and meaningful detail photos that will start the journey back into your wedding day as you sink into your wedding gallery.
But there are a thousand more things that you could want in your wedding detail shots, from family heirlooms to sentimental keepsakes, all of which are so great if they're the details that matter to you - which is ultimately the most important thing. If you've chosen a great wedding photographer they'll make it work and give you great memories.
Speak soon,
James x
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