Your wedding day is right around the corner! The countdown has gone from triple digits to single digits! You have a flurry of details, logistics, and items you are trying to keep straight in your mind. Let me help you take control! At least of your wedding day morning! As soon as you wake up on the wedding day you most likely will be pulled in a hundred different directions. But, if you prepare and have a plan of what should be ready and laid out for me when I arrive to start photographing your day it will lead to a less stressful morning and ease you into the special moments that really matter. 

Let’s first start with your “Getting Ready Room”. The spot where you are planning to actually get into your gorgeous gown. I know in many cases, you may not have a choice of this room due to your ceremony venue, yet you should be an advocate for a good environment either way. I actually wrote a blog post, HERE, about this very subject last year! However, there are a few huge things you can do to make sure your space is photo ready. Natural light is key in the getting ready room! For beautiful photos, we definitely want lovely light! This will make for the most flattering and dreamy getting ready photos for you to look back on. The second detail to remember is to declutter everything in the room where you are getting dressed. The craziness of hair, makeup, breakfast, maybe even a bridesmaids slumber party the night before. With all the clutter from bags, trash, and coffee (lots of coffee), there always tends to be a little mess. Rally your maids to help you clean up the space so those distracting items don’t take away from your special moment of putting on your wedding dress. And lastly, all your details! Most likely when I arrive, you will be smack dab in the middle of hair or makeup. So instead of me stealing you away from the chair to have you search through all your bags to retrieve accessories and keepsakes you want to be photographed, lay them out! Taking a few minutes to ensure everything you want me to photograph is in one spot so I can get to work without adding any more stress to your morning. Believe me, it will make a world of difference in the direction of the morning.

And speaking of those details! What items should you have ready to go? I’m sharing with you some that are probably pretty obvious. But, also a few items that you may not have thought of yet they will add meaning and emotion to your day…and your photos.  

The Dress & Hanger

Obvious One! However, what you may not think of is a pretty hanger! Now you don’t have to rush out and get a fancy one with your new name on it (but you can because they are fun)! Simply ditching the plastic hanger that comes with your dress will change the look of your dress photos. Even a plain wooden hanger will do the trick! 

Rings: All Three! 

I love photographing your beautiful rings! I mean, that is really the one piece of jewelry your guests will be requesting to look at all day! If you have all the rings by your side in the morning then I can ensure to get the coveted ring shots! I will most likely photograph them later on with other details throughout the day. Yet, taking care of it first thing checks another thing off our list! 

Shoes

Whether you go with show-stopping heels or flats for comfort during the day, you will want to document how you dress your tootsies! 

Jewelry

Get all the pretty jewels you picked out and let me play to capture their true beauty!

Veil or Hairpiece

Maybe you’re doing a classic updo. Or long, wavy curls down. Either way, if you are adding a veil or hairpiece to your locks have them ready for their close up!

Garter

The time-honored tradition of the garter toss is always fun! You don’t want to forget what your pretty little garter looked like before tossing it to all the single ladies! 

Purse

If you are keeping your essentials close to you all day with a fabulous purse we don’t want to hide it! Show it off! 

Bridesmaids Dresses

The rush at the start of the day with all your family and maids can be a bit overwhelming for you and them. To ease your bridesmaid’s minds too, suggest having them hang their dresses up next to yours! This will help with wrinkles, plus make for a lovely photo op! And don’t forget pretty hangers for their dresses too! Cohesive hangers will make for amazing dress shots!

Bouquets for Detail Shots

Are you planning to include a keepsake for a lost loved one on your bouquet? Or maybe a special piece that you want to make sure is close to you all day? I will not want to miss these details. Please let me know so I include it during the day. And if you have your bouquet there first thing, I love to add a pop of fresh flowers to your detail photos.

Invitation

When you are ordering your invitation suite go ahead and add one more. Bring the extra so I may capture the beauty of the invite you sent your guests. You made many important decisions so your paper was perfect. Don’t miss photos to remember them!

Fabulous Ring Box

Adding a unique ring box to the mix of your details is something special. Find one in the perfect shade to match your wedding colors? Even better! 

Family Keepsakes

When there are loved ones who cannot be with you on your big day, you want to still honor them. Include a memory filled piece that brightens your smile. This is also a perfect way to incorporate your something borrowed. A handkerchief, broach, or any other keepsake. These items are what hold special places in your heart. Let me help you remember them. 

Perfume

You may not even think capturing the name of the scent you are wearing is a big deal. But, maybe that scent is one of the details your new spouse will never forget when he first stood next to you on the wedding day! Bring the bottle just in case!

Wedding Gifts & Bridesmaids Gifts

Deciding to swap gifts with your groom can be a wonderful and sweet moment in your day. You never know how either of you will react to the thoughtfulness of the gift. Make sure I’m around when these tokens of love are opened so it’s not missed. Same goes for bridesmaids gifts!  

Let’s Recap! 

• Dress
• Hanger (Avoid plastic hangers)
• Rings (All Three)
• Shoes
• Jewelry
• Veil/Hairpiece
• Garter
• Purse
• Bridesmaids Dresses
• Bouquets for Detail Shots

Optional Items

• Invitation
• Fabulous Ring Box
• Family Keepsakes
• Special handkerchief
• Broach
• Perfume
• Gifts (For your groom & your maids)

Hopefully, my little checklist will help you feel more organized when you are packing up your wedding day bag so you can enjoy what matters with your loved ones in the morning! Remember the most important part of the day is the marriage in the end. Starting off on the right foot though can set the tone for your dream wedding!

Warm Regards, 
Lauren