Last week, I was asked a really direct, really great question by a client: Do you really need all those wedding day detail photo things, like ring boxes?
It’s an absolutely fair question–one that I am so glad was asked. Despite what social media shows and the magazines say (do people still read those?), no, you do not need all those detail things. The TL;dr version of this is that all you need for details is what matters most…
…but with those with a few minutes, here’s my hot detail take on all the extra “little things” for your wedding day detail photos:
1. ) YOUR WEDDING DAY DETAIL PHOTOS SHOULD REFLECT YOU, NOT TRENDS
Are those velvety little ring boxes pretty? Sure. But if they aren’t you or don’t match your vibe, don’t use one. Don’t use any box if it isn’t practical. Your photographer will be fine without a whole lot of collected details (they should be, anyway). The point of wedding photos are to catch and capture the authenticity of your day, not create something that wasn’t real. I know that personally I love receiving a box of goodies for details that are true to the couple, and then getting to pair it with what is available within the getting ready space or the venue (such as marble tables, exposed brick, cool coasters…things like that). Your wedding photos are supposed to flow together, not just be one-off images that have nothing in common. Randomly piecing together pretty things just for the sake of trends disrupts that flow.
2.) THERE ARE BETTER PLACES TO SPEND YOUR WEDDING BUDGET THAN ON ONE-TIME USE DETAILS
I come from the school of thought that if something only has one use, it is useless. These velvet ring boxes kind of fit that utility. If you are going to spend time AND money curating wedding day details, it should have a life and purpose beyond my shutter. Something like a monogrammed ring dish is an example. But why by a ring box when you could get a nice bottle of bubbly to pop for photos and enjoy or a really cool cocktail glass for your reception that will live beyond the last song? Makes more sense to me.
3.) DETAILS SHOULD BE THE LITTLE THINGS–AND ONLY THAT
Take a minute and think about this question: If you were a cartoon couple, what one thing would be drawn as a symbol of your love? That’s the wedding day detail photos that matters. One of my couples included the Muskie fishing lure that was a part of their engagement for their wedding day details. Another couple included a precious family portrait. Yet another had custom sunglasses. Beer steins. Custom Keds. You name it; it has been included in the details. While pretty ribbons and ring boxes and all of that are beautiful, these photos should make you feel *something.*
That something will come easier if you see yourself in the details. You will see yourself when your wedding day detail photos are true to who you are and who you love.
Kayla Lee is a Minnesota-based wedding and elopement photographer (and handcrafter and designer on the side). She serves elegant, authentic, sentimental couples who not only choose their own adventures, but also live them to the fullest! See more about the KLP Wedding Experience!
