As your wedding day approaches, you’ll start to notice the amount of things that you need to bring with you to the venue before or the day of the wedding. Which is why we're sharing our checklist of what to pack in your wedding day detail photos box.
What are wedding details?
The wedding details are all of those objects included in the wedding day that give your wedding a specific aesthetic and style. These objects carry a story and a meaning, and we love to have things to photograph that give us a sense of who you are.
The number of things you decide to include as a wedding detail can depend on how big the wedding is, and how much you really care about details and overall aesthetics. Wedding details are also an essential part of wedding editorial submissions, so if you want your wedding to be featured on a publication, you are in the right place to start planning.
As Mexico wedding photographers, we are excited about telling your story in a natural way while also using all of the details to give a sense of elegance and luxury to your wedding day.
Start detail planning with a wedding moodboard
When it comes to planning a wedding, Pinterest and Instagram are great when it comes to collecting inspiration for your wedding.
Take into consideration the location, the season, and the wedding dress. You may want a colorful wedding that is well suited to summer, like the magical and colonial aura that San Miguel De Allende or Oaxaca offers. Or if you’re looking for a secluded, intimate setting with authentic Mexican charm and romance, look no further than the venues in Riviera Nayarit.
A mood board keeps everyone working towards the same vision, and avoids misunderstandings. It is one of the most important steps towards planning the most amazing destination wedding in Mexico.
Why should I photograph the wedding details?
Photographing the wedding details is important to tell the story of your wedding day. As a destination wedding photographer in Mexico, we are not interested in giving you images that feel like “the standard”. We aim to get to know you, your love story, and find an artistic way to tell the story.
A story is made up of many details, and if you want to create a complete story, as happens in films, you have to create different scenes and different shots.
The attention to wedding details gives us and our guests a day of immersion in a magical atmosphere.
As a wedding photographer in Mexico, we can give you valuable insight into what details are important to include in your photographs to have outstanding, creative, unique photographs. Capturing every wedding detail will also allow us to submit a selection of photographs to wedding publications.
Pick a color scheme and communicate it to your wedding photographer
The beauty of photographing wedding details is that they visually tie the entire narrative together. The easiest thing is to start with is a color scheme. There will be a main color, which is often the color of the bridesmaids or bridesmaids dresses, and the color of some of the flowers in your bouquet.
Hire your photographer for enough time
The reality is, good wedding details photos take time. For the average wedding flatlay it will take us about 20-30 minutes. If we're lucky enough to have a lot of details to play with, we can spend up to two hours creating different photo sets and curating each element. We highly recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes on your timeline for us to document all your wedding details.
If you care about having a truly artistic, refined and comprehensive wedding photos, you shouldn’t be afraid to hire your photographer long enough to capture all of them.
Bridal Wedding Attire
As wedding photographers, the first things we photograph once we arrive to the getting ready location are the dress and all parts of the wedding attire. Let’s make sure you have everything ready before you start with hair and make-up. Remember that some of these elements are essential and some are just optional, depending on what you have planned for the day:
– Wedding Gown The wedding gown is usually photographed on its own, in the best possible spot around the getting ready location. We always try and place it where there is enough space to see it all, and in a spot that gives the sense of the place.
– Bridal Shoes
– Bridal Headpiece and Veil While some brides choose to forego a veil, we think it’s nice to have it as an option, even if just for a handful of photos. The veil can be beautiful for detail shots, but it also adds in extra romance when it comes to bridal portraits and couples photos.
– Pajamas, Robes, Slippers Your wedding day pajamas or robes will serve as the outfit you wear while you get your hair and makeup done. Some brides opt for custom pajamas with their names and the names of their wedding party on them.
The most important thing to consider when you’re selecting your getting ready outfit is that it is easily removable without having to pull it over your head and mess up your hair and makeup. A good pajama could have buttons on the front, but wearing a robe would also work.
– Bridal Slip, Lingerie, Hosiery, Garter These are all extra elements we can photograph, especially if it is designer lingerie you really want to immortalize or if has elements that refers to the wedding theme.
– Second Look, Going Away Outfit and Rehearsal Dinner Dress If you have a second wedding dress, be sure to let us capture it as well. Other outfits you might want to capture are the going away outfit and the rehearsal dinner dress. On a destination wedding in Mexico it is very important to photograph not only the wedding day, but all of the activities planned for you and your guests visiting Mexico. This is why you might want to consider hiring a photographer for rehearsal dinner, next day brunch and any other special activity you planned.
– Bridesmaid Dresses, Accessories and Shoes
Groom’s Wedding Attire
If you’re a bride planning your details, don’t forget about your groom! Common details for a groom include shoes, tie or bowtie, cufflinks, handkerchief, cologne and his boutonniere. You can also include anything else that reminds you of your love story, such as the first book you gave him, or a place that inspired you and can be represented by a photo, a magazine, a postcard.
Remember the basics of the groom’s attire:
– Groom’s Outfit The tuxedo, the shirt, any other element included in the wedding outfit.
– Groom’s Details: Tie or Bowtie, Watch, Cufflinks, Handkerchief, Cologne, Boutonniere and anything else that tells your story.
– Groomsmen’s Outfits
15 Items to Pack for Your Wedding Day Detail Photos
〰️ All 3 weddings rings — the bride’s engagement ring and wedding band, and the groom’s ring!
〰️ A sentimental ring box
〰️ Invitation suite (we recommend bringing at least two envelopes for styling purposes)
〰️ Save the Dates
〰️ Jewelry like your earrings, necklace, etc.
〰️ Perfume
〰️ Dress
〰️ Veil
〰️ Shoes
〰️ Something old, new, borrowed, blue
〰️ Bouquet and/or loose florals- Ask your florist if they can include a few loose flowers/greenery for styled detail photos.
〰️ Vow book
〰️ Any extra ribbon, accents, or items of significance that represent the day
〰️ Any gifts or notes from one another
〰️ Bouquet and boutonniere
These items should all fit easily into a box ahead of time, which allows your photographers to start right on time, instead of needing to begin the day searching for each of these items. If you want flawless detail shots, your photographer will need at least 30 minutes to style and photograph your details.