Our 9 Favorite Types of Detail Wedding Photos

Wedding Detail Shots

Ah, this is one of our most beloved topics. Detail shots, detail wedding photos, whatever you want to call them, these photos are something that we love oh so much.

A great deal of care, love, and time get put into all those little details of your wedding day. The dresses, the flowers, and the cake get so much attention, but what about everything else? The groom's boutonniere. The rings. The shoes. The amazing little place cards for each table. Or how about the favors that you spent weeks putting together? Or the ribbon that your grandmother wore at her wedding that's lovingly wrapped around your bouquet? Every wedding carries its own special meanings, with their own little details, and it's important for your photographer to capture every single one.

We absolutely love photographing the details at every wedding. If there is anything that you think may be missed by your wedding photographer, it's a great idea to write them all down in advance and request that they get photographed. This is one of the busiest days of your lives!

Here are some of our favorite detail photos from weddings we've photographed. Perhaps they'll inspire you before your own wedding.

1. Desserts

We appreciate the incredible cakes at every wedding, from the simple to the intricate. There are some really talented cake designers across the SF Bay Area! Naturally, we photograph multiple angles of every cake to ensure that the couple ends up with photos to remember these creations.

Lately, couples have been breaking from tradition and adding some interesting desserts to their receptions. Doughnuts are a recent favorite, and we hope they're here to stay! Who doesn't love doughnuts?! Drag or tap through the gallery below to view some of our favorite desserts and cakes from weddings we've photographed in the SF Bay Area.

Dessert table at Kelsey & Alex's wedding

Doughnuts on peg board at wedding

Wall of doughnuts at Hellen & Lucas' wedding

Courtney & Jeremy's cake at their Nella Terra wedding

Multiple dessert options at Whitney & Ty's Nella Terra wedding

Felicia & Fabrizio's wedding cake

Simple, elegant cake at Amanda & Jake's wedding

Unique rustic/antique dessert setup at Lisette & Joel's Brownstone Gardens wedding

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2. Invitations & Vow Cards

We love to get creative with preserving memories of beautifully designed wedding invitations. When couples also have pretty vow cards, we photograph those too. You may hold on to the physical invitations and all other cards, but having a photograph of them in pristine condition is priceless. We place them alongside other details like shoes, rings, or flowers which makes the photos even more fun and memorable.

Before every wedding, we go on a scavenger hunt, looking for those perfect details to tie it all together. We've even snagged the earrings before they make it to the bride. Or the bouquet while she gets ready. It's a really fun way to present multiple details, with the invitation as the centerpiece. The invitation is the only way to really identify the day in a practical way; the names, date, location, and other essential details are right there on that piece of paper.

Scroll through the slideshow below to get an idea of these kinds of invitation photos.

Invitation & rings at Courtney & Jeremy's Nella Terra wedding

Invitations & rings at Whitney & Ty's Nella Terra wedding

Table number, all cards, and rings from Amanda & Jake's wedding

detail shot of invitation and wedding rings

Invitation with rings from Christine & Bryce's Casa Real wedding

Deepa and Christian wedding invitation 2018

Loved one holds invitation at Deepa & Christian's wedding

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3. Shoes

This seemingly simple subject becomes visually stunning when you really get a closeup photo of a bride's shoes. Many brides display their personalities in these shoes. While most grooms have basic black formal shoes, brides get a little more spicy, sparkly, or colorful. Some brides gravitate toward really comfortable sneakers for the reception, while others stick with their decked out 4-inch heels.

Oh there actually is one pair of brown groom's shoes next to his watch in a very classy detail shot.

Check out some of our favorite wedding shoe detail photos below!

Courtney's shoes from her Nella Terra wedding

Amanda's shoes at her Saratoga Springs wedding

Lisette's shoes at her Brownstone Gardens wedding

detail shot - bride's shoes, earrings, and hair comb

Bridal shoes and jewelry - Jenny and Brian's SF City Hall wedding

detail shot of bride shoes

Christine's shoes at her Casa Real wedding

Bride holding her custom comfy shoes - Half Moon Bay wedding

Royal Vintage pumps in navy and ivory

Megan's shoes at her retro San Leandro wedding

detail shot of shoes and watch

Groom's shoes and watch at Joanna & Jim's museum wedding

bride's shoes, silver heels - detail shot

Joanna's shoes from her fun museum wedding

detail shot of bridal shoes

Eda's sparkly shoes that match her space-themed wedding

detail shot of groom's clothing on chair

Groom's shoes, tie, and jacket

Dress, shoes, and bouquet

Mary's blue heels

Bride's shoes from elegant Kohl Mansion wedding

Calla lily bouquet next to formal black heels

Hellen's wedding shoes propped up

Hellen's shoes

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4. Rings

Detail photos for wedding rings get mixed up with categories we've already mentioned, but who cares? The end result is some incredible detail shots! We love to pose wedding bands with shoes, flowers, invitations, or whatever else inspires us at that moment. Sometimes the wedding rings lie along a rustic fence, other times we balance them atop one another next to the shoes. Like every couple and wedding, every photo of the rings is different.

A few of our favorites are below:

detail shot of bride's shoes with rings on heels
detail shot - wedding rings on stone
detail shot of invitation and wedding rings
wedding rings with keys in background - detail shot
detail shot of rings with blue stone
detail shot of shoes and rings
Closeup shot of gold band wedding rings
Dark blue wedding invitation with wedding rings
Detail wedding photo of shoes with rings
Michelle and Mick's wedding rings
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5. Table Decor

The elements that go into tables at receptions are wildly different with each wedding. The color scheme sets the initial tone while the individual decor really spices it up. From each guest's place setting to the guest book table, we really get in there and photograph it all. Couples invest an impressive amount of time into every aspect of these tables, and we ensure that it is all captured for them to cherish and remember for the rest of their lives together.

Browse through the gallery for some of our favorite place settings, sweetheart tables, and all the little details in-between.

detail shot of reception table decor

Casa Real wedding photo: table decor detail shot

Table arrangement at Nella Terra in Livermore

Courtney and Jeremy wedding table centerpiece
table number with purple paper airplanes

Paper airplanes at aviation museum wedding

Table decor at Nella Terra
Lantern candle centerpiece at Nella Terra wedding
Sign
Place setting at same-sex wedding reception San Francisco

Table setting from Pete & James' wedding

White flowers on table wedding reception Gallery 308
Table number in flowers at Annie and Leon's wedding
Rustic table settings at Nella Terra wedding reception
Table number 5 at wedding reception
Table number with flowers in background at wedding
Flower arrangements and place setting at wedding reception in Palo Alto
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6. Signage

Couples really love to get creative with this one. With signs, you can let your imagination run wild. Or you can keep it very simple and elegant. It can also get easy to become overwhelmed with the possibilities, which is why many couples turn to professionals. Calligraphers and stationery designers are amazing at putting together paper goods to suit your wedding, decor, and theme.

Signs often appear at the very beginning of the ceremony or may only exist in the form of place cards. They may take the form of a fun chalkboard sign directing guests to their Instagram hashtag. Then of course the designs can vary from simple and elegant to dark or whimsical.

We of course also love to photograph the signs featured with our VW Bus Photo Booth in the Bay Area.

Enjoy this gallery!

table number and centerpiece at Casa Real wedding
formal, black guest seating chart at Casa Real in Pleasanton
guest seating list on large board outside Brazilian Room entrance
picture of Cassie and Drew with their dog and wooden sign pointing to reception and ceremony
Chalkboard thank you sign at wedding
chalkboard welcome sign for Megan and Omar's wedding
DJ and chalkboard bar sign for beer at wedding in San Leandro
chalkboard sign for Megan and Omar's wedding
chalkboard closed sign for wedding
drink menu on chalkboard - Chabot Space and Science Center wedding
wedding sign - Welcome to the wedding of Eda and Bryant
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7. Flowers

It's not just about the bridal bouquet. There are flowers at the ceremony, up and down the aisle. Usually, the groomsmen have boutonnieres we just have to photograph. Then, of course, there are the centerpiece bouquets at the reception.

Flowers are a classic way to celebrate weddings. They pick up the color scheme perfectly and add so much life to every wedding. That's what weddings are about: celebrating these two lives and their love for each other. Vibrant floral pieces throughout a wedding really tie everything together. And that's why we photograph every single bouquet and stem at every wedding.

Browse through this colorful slideshow for some beautiful wedding floral arrangements!

8. The Dress

If we get to photograph the bride as she's getting ready, we always try to get a shot of the dress. Every wedding presents a different way to photograph the dress. Sometimes we hang it from a nearby tree, or from a door outside. They're so much fun to frame in order to get the perfect wedding dress detail shot.

bridal gown hanging on door of Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery

Rosa's dress from her Casa Real wedding

bridal gown hanging outside

Natasha's gown from her Ardenwood Farms wedding

dress and tux jacket hang outside
wedding dress hangs on door
bride's top on hanger
wedding gown hangs from wooden world map
bridal gown hangs in large doorway

Jenny's dress before her San Francisco City Hall wedding

bride's gown hanging on door
bridal gown hanging on mirror
Megan's wedding dress hanging on blue door
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9. The Miscellaneous/Fun/Random Detail Shots

There is no single category for these final detail photos. Like we've said, every wedding is so different. Each couple brings their own unique things to the day and we photograph them when we can. When you're planning your wedding, remember that this is a day celebrating the two of you. That's it. It's about you and no one else. Make it your own! Add unique items and flair to your wedding! And let your photographer capture it all to make sure that you never forget them.

Here's our final gallery of detail wedding photos. Enjoy!

groom's sunglasses, cigar, whiskey, and cigar cutter inside white box
bottle of perfume on green background with wedding ring
Mendhi with palms up holding jewelry
bride's bouquet with ribbon and personal keychain memory
VW bus photo booth at Kayla and Jake's Monterey wedding

VW Bus Booth at Kayla & Jake's wedding

detail shot of groom's shoes, watch, cufflinks
Bryce and Christine unique guest book custom map
detail shot of bride's watch on left wrist
custom engraved cufflinks with Christine's handwriting
guests write on paper bags for lanterns after the ceremony
instax camera detail shot wedding photo
detail show of wooden tokens with last name
detail shot of camera with skull and desert bouquet
black Instax camera
skull and whiskey
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