How to Prep Your Wedding Day Details
Let’s Talk About Your Wedding Day Details 😉
No matter if your elopement vision is super minimal or jam-packed with extras, everyone has some sort of wedding day details. These little pieces of your day capture your personalities, your story, and your love. They’re the first pieces that set the tone for how your elopement is told through photos. And if you’re here, you might be wondering: what are wedding day details and how do I get them ready for photographs? And since these details help tell the story of your wedding day, we want to make sure they’re 100% photo ready.
As a Florida elopement photographer that’s captured dozens of amazing elopements, I’ve seen tons of different wedding day details and I wanted to create a guide that gave you my insider knowledge! This guide breaks down everything you need to know about wedding day details from what to include, how to prep them, and how to have everything ready so your photographer can capture them effortlessly.
Jump To:
- What Are “Wedding Day Details” Anyway?
- Wedding Day Detail Examples
- How to Prep Your Wedding Day Details
- Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Day Details
- Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer
What Are “Wedding Day Details” Anyway?
This question totally depends on you. While there’s a general list of typical wedding day details, you can (and should) include anything that feels personal or meaningful. This is your chance to capture the little things that might not take center stage during your elopement adventure, but still deserve their moment.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s typically included:
- Rings (engagement rings, wedding bands, and/or family heirlooms)
- Decorative ring boxes or dishes
- Vow books
- Letters
- Invitations or announcements
- Florals (bouquet, boutonniere, loose blooms)
- Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, etc.)
- Perfume/cologne bottles
- Shoes
- Hats
- Special keepsakes (lockets, heirlooms, charms)
- Special hangers for wedding day attire
- Wedding day attire (dress, suit, customized jackets, etc.)
- Wedding attire details (ties, cufflinks, belts, dress fabric, veil, etc.)
- Various other elements from the day – literally anything you want!
And when I say anything, I mean anything. Past couples have included photos of their dogs, dog tags, mementos for passed loved ones, special gifts from family and friends, their favorite drink or bottle, polaroids from the trip so far, favorite books, airline tickets, custom cookies, wedding day slippers, sunglasses, and even customized game pieces.
Wedding Day Detail Examples
How to Prep Your Wedding Day Details
Prepping your wedding day details ahead of time is one of the easiest ways to save yourself stress and decision fatigue on your elopement day. Every item is a little different, but the key is to clean, organize, and store things intentionally so they’re photo-ready.
Here’s how to get it all prepped:
- Make a list of all the details you want photographed to stay organized
- Get your rings and jewelry professionally cleaned (this can be done up to a week in advance)
- Pack a jewelry cloth to wipe away smudges day-of
- For necklaces or bracelets that tangle easily, wrap them lengthwise in a cloth and fold it (or use a travel jewelry case)
- Type your vows in a Google Doc or notebook first, then copy them into your vow books once they feel just right (this could be a sweet morning-of task with your partner over coffee)
- If you’re bringing invitations or announcements, pack two (especially if there’s printing on both sides)
- Ask your florist for extra floral clippings or greenery for flat lay photos
- Clean your shoes
- Steam your dress, suit, or any attire that wrinkles
- Pack everything up before the big day so you’re not scrambling
- Keep it all together in a small box, pouch, or tote
- Have everything in one spot in your getting ready space
And that’s it! It might seem like a lot of prep, but honestly, most of this is stuff you’d be doing on your wedding day anyway. Taking a few extra steps ahead of time to get everything photo-ready will save both you and your photographer time and help kick off your elopement day with zero stress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Day Details
A flat lay is a wedding-industry term for styled detail photos. It’s all about intentionally arranging your wedding day details into a beautiful scene, usually shot from above. Items are laid out on a flat surface (like a table, floor, or backdrop) to highlight the textures, colors, and overall vibe. When photographers talk about detail shots, we’re usually referring to flat lays.
Totally up to you! Photographing your wedding day details is optional, but it’s one of the best ways to tell the full story of your elopement. These little pieces capture your personalities, your style, and your love. They’re often the first photos I take and help set the tone for your gallery. Since most of these items won’t be in photos later while you’re out adventuring, this gives them their own moment so you can look back on them 50 years from now and remember exactly how it all looked and felt.
Absolutely not. The list above is just a guide. It’s not a checklist you need to complete! Only include the details that feel important to you, the ones you want to remember in vivid detail long after your elopement day. Quality over quantity always.
Best words of advice? Don’t overthink it and only include what feels like you. Think about what you love to do together, how you spend your time, ways that you show love and appreciation towards each other, and how you can embody that through details on your elopement day. Some items you can include that would be personal to you as a couple might be a book you both love, a tiny framed photo of your pet(s), trinkets from adventures, trips, or hobbies you love, or a handwritten note to each other. Honestly, the more personal, the better.
Nope! Unless you want an invitation flat lay, you do not need to go out of your way to include this wedding day detail. This is an awesome idea if you have a cute or customized wedding invitation that sets the tone for the vision.
Totally optional. Most of my couples don’t buy anything extra beyond ring boxes, dishes, or vow books (i.e., things they’ll actually reuse or save as keepsakes). Since waste reduction is one of my core values, I never recommend purchasing something just for a photo. Instead, I love using elements from your environment to bring in the vibe and tell the story of your day in a real way.
Yes, 100%. A few loose flowers or sprigs of greenery can make your detail photos pop and tie everything together beautifully.
Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer
Hey there! If you’re new around here, I’m Anna! I’m a Florida elopement photographer who helps couples create wildly personal, stress-free elopement days all across Florida. No cookie-cutter timelines. No awkward posing. Just good vibes, custom plans, and photos that make you feel something.
If you’re dreaming of a Florida elopement, but need a little help putting all the pieces together, then you’re in the right place! Let’s chat ↓
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