Why Wedding Detail Photos Matter
(and the List You Didn’t Know You Needed)
Traverse City Wedding Photographer
Is it all about the standard moments?
When you picture your wedding day photos, you probably think about the big moments- walking down the aisle, your first kiss, the laughter during toasts, and the dancing that follows.
But as a Traverse City wedding photographer, one of my favorite parts of the day actually happens before the ceremony even begins: photographing your wedding details.
Photo taken at Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City
Photo taken at Mission Hill Church on Old Mission Peninsula
Months, even years of work
These quiet, meaningful moments tell the story of your day just as much as the big ones do.
Your invitations, jewelry, perfume bottle, shoes, and even your “something blue” are all pieces of your story. They represent months of dreaming and planning, and often, they’re the very items you might not hold onto forever.
Think about your invitations or save-the-dates- you likely spent hours choosing the perfect paper, fonts, and colors, but after the wedding, they’re tucked away (or even recycled).
Photographing them gives those details a lasting place in your story without sitting in a box collecting dust.
“Oh, that? It’s not important.”
Furthermore, the same goes for jewelry and accessories. Many brides tell me, “Oh, it’s just costume jewelry,” or, “I don’t need a picture of that.” But over time, these items also become sentimental. Not because of their price tag, but because of the memories attached to them. Years later, seeing those earrings in a photo will bring back the feeling of getting ready surrounded by your favorite people. It’s not what the item means now as much as what it will mean later.
Photo taken at Blue Bridge Event Center
As a Northern Michigan Wedding Photographer
I always encourage my couples to gather their details before the big day. Appoint a bridesmaid or groomsmen to keep an eye on them so they are ready when I arrive. It gives me time to photograph everything beautifully and thoughtfully so that even the smallest parts of your day are remembered forever.
Detail Lists:
(also available in my wedding guide)
Bride Checklist
O Dress
O A Nice Dress Hanger
O All Of The Rings
O Shoes
O Veil
O Bouquet
O Perfume
O Hair pieces
O Jewelry
O Invitations (2 sets with envelopes and save-the-dates)
O Any other paper stationary (Menus, program cards, etc)
O Vow Books
O Any other sentimental items
O Extra florals from your florist
Groom Checklist
O Suit
O Shoes
O Special Socks
O Cuff Links
O Tie / Bow Tie
O Cologne
O Pocket Square
O Boutonnière
O Vows Book
O Rings
O Other Special Items