When it comes to your wedding day, the first moments your wedding photographer captures are often the details. These intimate shots—of your rings, jewelry, perfume, and other personal touches—serve as a foundation for your entire wedding gallery. They not only set the tone for the day but also help tie the entire collection of images together. By thoughtfully preparing a “details box,” you can ensure that these key elements are ready for the photographer to capture, allowing us to get started right away and ensure every meaningful detail is preserved.

The detail shots serve as a beautiful narrative, complementing everything from your grand entrance to your first kiss. As an Atlanta-based wedding photographer, I love how these images weave seamlessly into the larger story of your wedding day, making them a crucial part of your final gallery.

What is a Wedding Details Box?

One of the easiest ways to kick off your wedding day smoothly (and beautifully!) is by putting together a “wedding details box.” This is simply a small box or container that holds all the special items you want photographed—think invitations, rings, jewelry, perfume, vow books, or anything meaningful to you. Having everything in one spot not only saves time, but it also takes the guesswork out of what you want captured. If it’s in the box, I know it’s important to you—and it’s getting photographed! In the rest of this blog, I’ll walk you through some of the best things to include so your detail photos turn out just as stunning as the rest of your day.

What to Include In Your Wedding Details Box

Here the essentials you should include in your details box to ensure we can capture all those precious moments without any delays! Be sure to stick around to the end for an easy checklist to save for later!

1. Your Rings (All Three!)

Rings are one of the most important details of the day! Be sure to include all three:

• Engagement ring
• Wedding band (for both you and your partner)
• Any additional rings (such as family heirlooms or special gifts)

Including all of these will give us the opportunity to capture a range of beautiful images, from the close-up shots of your engagement ring to the pairing of your wedding bands.

2. Invitation Suite

Your invitation suite is often the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding day, and it’s a key detail to include in your detail photos. Make sure to set aside:

• Your wedding invitation
• Save-the-date cards
• RSVP cards
• Any special stationery that matches your theme or personal style

Your invitation suite provides a beautiful way to tie in your wedding theme and colors, and it’s a wonderful addition to the collection of details. I love incorporating these elements into your details to showcase the start of your celebration, tying in everything from your décor to your personal touches.

3. Vow Books

Vow books are a beautiful way to preserve the heartfelt words you’ll be exchanging later. These little books are also a perfect addition to your detail photos, adding a personal touch and a sense of romance to your photos.

4. Jewelry You Plan to Wear

Gather all the jewelry you plan to wear on your wedding day, such as:

• Earrings
• Bracelets
• Necklaces
• Hair accessories

Whether it’s a family heirloom or a modern statement piece, your jewelry will add sparkle to the detail photos and showcase your personal style.

5. Perfume Bottle

The fragrance you choose for your wedding day can become a lasting memory. Including your perfume bottle in your detail photos not only elevates the aesthetic but also adds a sensory layer to the day’s imagery.

6. Bouquet

It’s important that we get a chance to photograph your bouquet alongside your rings and jewelry before it’s carried down the aisle.

Pro-tip: Ask your florist to leave some scrapes from your bouquet. 

Leftover blooms or petals from your florist can make a beautiful and organic addition to your details. These little details can bring texture and color to the composition, as well as tie in your wedding’s color palette.

7. Your Veil

A veil can make a beautiful and ethereal addition to your wedding day details. It’s a timeless symbol of the wedding day, and capturing it in your details will add a soft and romantic element to the photos.

8. Shoes

Your wedding shoes are more than just footwear – they can often be one of the most stylish and meaningful elements of your ensemble. Whether they’re designer heels or sentimental flats, don’t forget to include them in your details box!

9. Sentimental Items

If there are any sentimental items that are important to you, like:

• A piece of family jewelry
• A locket from a loved one
• A handwritten note

Including these special items in your detail shots is a beautiful way to honor the people and memories that mean the most to you on this special day.

10. Ring box or tray

A ring box adds an extra layer of elegance to your ring shots. You can find beautiful options on Etsy or Amazon that will match your wedding colors or even be personalized with your initials. A small, intricate ring tray also works well if you prefer something more minimalist.

11. Chiffon Ribbon

A chiffon ribbon is the perfect way to add movement and a soft, romantic touch to your details shots. Choose a ribbon that complements your color scheme, and it can be beautifully draped across your flatlay for a stylish, flowing look.

12. Wedding Dress Hanger (No Plastic!)

One often-overlooked detail is your wedding dress hanger. While a plastic hanger might be fine for everyday use, a beautiful wooden or personalized hanger can add an elegant touch to your detail photos.

A custom hanger, perhaps with your name or wedding date, can really elevate the presentation of your dress, making it a perfect addition to your flat lay. It’s a small detail, but it’s one that can add a lot of character to your wedding photos and set the stage for that first look shot.

Bonus: Groom’s Details

Don’t forget the groom’s details! While the bride’s flat lay is often the focus, the groom’s accessories are just as important and deserve to be captured too. Here’s what to include in your groom’s flat lay:

• His Wedding Ring
• Cologne
• Tie or Bowtie
• Cufflinks
• Shoes
• Jacket
• Watch
• Belt or Suspenders
• Any Special Gifts or Tokens (like a gift from the bride or a family heirloom)

These items help tell the groom’s story and add balance to the overall wedding day imagery. By setting aside these personal touches, we can create a cohesive and well-rounded set of details that reflect both the bride and groom’s personalities and style.

As an experienced wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless beautiful details that help tell each couple’s unique story. While you don’t necessarily need to have every single item on this list, the more you can provide for your photographer, the more options we’ll have to curate the perfect detail shots for your wedding gallery. Every little touch—whether it’s your family’s heirloom jewelry or a custom ring box—adds depth and personal meaning to your photos. By thoughtfully gathering these items ahead of time, you’re helping ensure that your wedding day is beautifully documented from start to finish.

If you loved this blog or want to save it to your wedding planning board on Pinterest, simply hover over your favorite photo and press, “save”. It would mean the world to me!

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