Wedding Day Bridal Suite Planning

A few weeks ago on the blog I shared 12 ideas for your groom getting ready portraits, and it got me thinking. Below are the 10 must have items you should bring to your bridal suite for your bridal detail portraits.

Most brides are great when it comes to having their details lined up and ready to go when I arrive all excited to start taking portraits on their wedding day.  This is of course, one of my favorite things to photograph on any given wedding day.

One of the favorite parts of my parents wedding pictures is that my mom is rocking this awesome 80’s cowboy looking white hat! It not only cracks me up and puts a big smile on my face, but what I wouldn’t give to be able to have a picture of the shoes she wore, or the other jewelry she had on that day, or any of the small details she had planned throughout her wedding. Just think, what if you had a picture of your grandmothers wedding invitation!? How cool would that be!?

This is why carving out time to have detail shots taken is so soo important. It’s also great for your wedding album (hint, hint!)

I have come across wedding days where a few of these details get missed and forgotten. Its not a huge deal. I mean, this is probably your first wedding and you have so much to think about, some things do get missed! That’s why I have created this handy list for brides and bridesmaids, sisters, mothers or anyone else helping with the day of wedding preparations!

10 Must Have Items

• Wedding invitations- don’t forget to include save the dates, and even the envelope! This all makes for awesome detail shots.

• All of the rings- this one is a bit more important to note, detail pictures are better when all of the rings are in the same place. This allows for the most ring detail shots to be taken. There’s just a lot less you can do with only your band, or only his band, or only your engagement ring. Best to divvy up the rings to the groomsmen or maid of honor right before the ceremony.

• Sentimental Items- This could be grandma’s handkerchief, a pin, maybe even a cute thing between you and your fiancé. Like a penny you found on your first date together and have been carrying ever since. This is all amazing things to have around and ready to photograph in your bridal suite.

• Wedding photos of your parents, grandparents- I loooove when couples have their relatives wedding portraits around either for the décor at a special table or for getting ready portraits. This can be such a neat item to incorporate with all of your details.

• Fiancé gift- like I mentioned last week, if you are giving your fiancé a gift, why not wait until the wedding day and present them their gift, either before by having bridesmaids or family members deliver it to them and have us capture the moment, or right after your first look are two great options.

• Wedding day drink wear- This can be as simple as your Starbucks coffee cup with the name “Bride” written on it, to custom glassware! Flutes of champagne in cute glasses are a plus as well. We can also get great champagne popping and cheers pictures with items like these.

• Robes- there is nothing cuter than getting all of your bridesmaids together while getting ready and grabbing a few of everyone in their robes! And this makes for a great gift idea too!

• Bottle of perfume-Having a signature sent on your wedding day is an awesome idea. I love this detail shot, and it’s a great addition to your jewelry!

• Special Note-I love getting this detail as you write this note, and once its completed. This can be a card, a rolled up note or anything along these lines.

• A mirror- This might seem like an odd one, but some venues have bridal suites that do not come with a full or half length mirror. This helps to set up some really beautiful portraits of you getting your hair done, and can be used while you adjust your jewelry. Ask your venue coordinator weather or not this is included.

Who To Give This List To

Now I know what you must be thinking, this is a lot to keep straight! I always suggest to keep as much stuff off your plate as a bride as possible. I would ask a bridesmaid, sister or mother to be tasked with keeping things like these straight. Not only does this help you out, but gives someone looking for some responsibility to be in charge.

Anything I missed on the list? What did you bring, or maybe what did you forget or wished you had in your bridal suite on your wedding day? Let me know in the comments!