Wedding Styling Your Day-of Details

{image credit: Lindsay Connors}

As Pinterest has exploded there has been a whole new emphasis put on wedding styling.

Everything from the gown to the dessert is photographed as if it will end up on the cover of Martha Stewart Weddings. I can tell you that it’s not just the photographer that has put thought into these shots.

I design with the camera in mind.

I am constantly asking myself:

1. What will the couple want to see in their photos that they might miss in person on the day-of?

2.  What will the light be like when the photographer is able to shoot?

3. What will be setup and photo-ready prior to the ceremony?

I even travel with a wedding styling kit and personally layout a lot of shots especially for details like rings, favors, welcome gifts and invitations.

This is WAY more than I want you to think about on your wedding day.

The simplest way to achieve the look of magazine-level photography is to pay attention to your day-of details. I like to call these your Must Haves.

What Are Must Haves?

They are the things you were likely planning on having anyway. Things like ceremony programs, menu cards, escort cards and tables numbers. Find details that speak to your wedding style and your photographer will have lots to capture to help tell your story.

I know it sounds ridiculous but I really believe these details are a huge part of what makes your day feel unique. Each detail doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy but should reflect your personal style.

Take the FREE Wedding Style Quiz to unearth your unique style and then keep reading for my top tips.

Wedding Styling – Programs

I tend to keep the ceremony program simple. The details of the ceremony are often the last thing to come together so what we send to print is typically high level. Short and sweet is perfectly fine. Think about how you’ll display them. Will they be handed out? Will they be placed one at each seat? Will they be presented in a basket? This is the shot so think about how you want to remember them. {image credit: White Loft Studio}

Wedding Styling – Menu

Chances are your venue or caterer doesn’t include a charger plate. Use your menu card to fill the space instead. I like to place on top of or tucked inside a menu card napkin fold. {image credit: Ashley O’Dell Photography}

Escort Cards

We’ve gotten pretty elaborate over the years with everything from escort card boxes to compasses. The sky is really the limit but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a simple tented or flat escort card. This is one place I like to splurge on a rented linen to contrast with the color of your escort cards so they pop. Your escort card table is also a great place to re-purpose any ceremony flowers or bouquets.

table number

Table numbers are easily my favorite element of your tablescape. Whatever you do, please don’t use a black and white printed number. You are way more interesting than that. I love to use something that is three dimensional like a vintage dessert plate, piece of slate or wood element. {image credit: Sweet Monday Photography}