Detail shots on your wedding day may not be at the top of your priority list of photos to be taken on your wedding day. And I completely agree, they aren't at the top of my shot list for the day either. Photographs on your special day should focus on capturing the people you love most, as well as the many emotions of one of the biggest days of your life. But, I do have to say these details of your wedding day are the things that you have thought long and hard about over the past several months. Countless hours go into planning even the smallest details, from the jewelry you will be wearing as you walk down the isle to the centerpieces on the table at the reception. Because of all of your hard work, as a photographer I believe it is one of my many responsibilities to ensure that I capture these details so they are never forgotten. 

Detail shots are one of the first things I do when I arrive on your wedding day. I like to get these out of the way so I can return the jewelry to the bride, give the rings to the person responsible for them before the ceremony and allow the dress to be free to be put on as soon as the bride is ready. Focusing on detail shots first also allows everyone to get comfortable with having me in the room taking photos. Typically the bride will have everything together in the room where she is getting ready, that way I can easily begin arranging the details of the day. The details that I ask brides to gather are just suggestions and are not limited to these, as not every bride has all of the details I list, but something on the list may remind them to bring another sentimental piece.

I encourage brides to gather the following details in a specific area of the getting ready room:

- The Wedding Dress

- Cute Hanger for your Dress (nice hangers for the bridesmaid dresses are a great bonus too!)

- Bridesmaids/Flower Girl Dresses

- The Rings

- Bouquets

- Bridal Shoes

- Wedding Invitation with Envelope (and any other custom paper goods, menu cards, napkins, etc.)

- Bridal Jewelry (necklace, earrings, etc.)

- Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

- Perfume

-Garter(s)

Like I mentioned, these are just suggestions to get you started, please don't feel that you have to go out and buy a ton of extra things that you didn't plan on including in your wedding anyway. Remember, as a photographer, I want to capture the details of the day that are important to you. I hope you find this post helpful! Most of all I wish you all of the best for you big day, whether you are a Ashley Hark Photography bride or not! Remember to enjoy your day, it will go by so very fast.