What to Bring for your Wedding Detail Photos

You did it! You planned your wedding down to every little piece. Everything from the colors, the theme, and the style screams you! What better way to honor and remember these details than to preserve them in photographs?

What are detail photos? They’re an accumulation of the different things that make up your wedding! For this post, we’ll be going over details that we photograph before the ceremony, most likely during your bride/groom prep!

We love to put together something we call a “flatlay,” similar to the one pictured above. If you’re wondering what to bring for your wedding detail photos, keep on reading!

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Pro Tip: Gather all the items you want for your detail shots and put them in a box!
That way they’re all in the same place and we can find it easily to start your flatlays!

1. Sentimental Items

This can be anything from photos, custom pins, signs, or something from a loved one. Did your mom or dad pass something on to you? Did you and your sister get matching jewelry? Let’s honor that!

A couple weeks before the wedding, we ask you these questions to find out what matters the most to you. We want to pay extra attention to these things so when you look through your wedding album in the future, it is integrated in the sentiments that your wedding day holds.

ii. Shoes

Whether you have one pair or two, hand them over! We love showcasing the different looks you wear throughout your day. Here are some fun shoe ideas from our past couples:

• Custom prints on shoes

• A written message the groom wrote on the sole of the bride’s heels

• Matching Bride & Groom dancing shoes

iii. Vow Books

Vow books or handwritten letters you wrote for each other are a wonderful addition to your detail flatlay. We respect your privacy, so unless you request for us to photograph the actual pages of your vows, we won’t pry!

iv. Rings & Jewelry

Brides, that includes your engagement ring too! Don’t forget your necklace, earrings, bracelets, hair pieces, sunglasses.
Grooms, that includes your accessories like watch, cuff links, ties/bowties, hats, even sunglasses.
Whatever you’re donning counts!

v. Invitation Suite

Everything from Envelopes, Save the Dates, Formal Invitations, Custom Name Tags, Wax Seals, and Stickers.
Made online invites? No problem! You can have a copy printed out if you’d like for it to be photographed on your special day.

vi. Cultural Pieces

Pieces from your cultural background or heritage that you’re incorporating in your wedding! I’m from the Philippines so I had some capiz candle holders and traditional straw fans included in our wedding!

vii. Perfume/Cologne

Your signature wedding scent! You may not be able to smell it, but seeing the photos will certainly make you remember.

viii. Custom Ring Box

We love a personalized ring box! Allow us to grab some photos of it, because let’s face it - those rings will be living on your fingers for life so let’s remember your custom ring box too!

ix. Dress, Veil, Jacket

Maybe we don’t add your wedding dress in our flatlays, but 90% of the time, we use your veil in flatlays for a touch of ephemeral texture (if that makes sense)! Your dress definitely gets some solo shots because it’s a showstopper.

Here are some things we love from our clients:

• Custom embroidered veil

• Personalized embroidery inside Groom’s Jacket lining

• Bride’s jacket

x. Bouquets

We love a “group photo” of your bouquet along with your bridal party’s! Boutonnieres count too!

Fun and creative non-floral bridesmaid arrangements from our brides:

• Bird cages with paper cranes

• Floral hoops

Honorable Mentions: Custom Hangers

Wooden hangers beat plastic ones, but custom hangers wins them all!

The most important addition:
Leftover Florals & Greenery!!

You know how they say “it’s the little details”? This is what they mean! A flatlay can have all the aesthetic items, but what elevates the overall look is the addition of floral buds and greenery.

Pro Tip: Ask your florist to set aside any flowers, buds, and greenery that they didn’t use for the arrangements for your photo detail shots!

Your wedding detail flatlay is a collage of items that showcase you and your wedding. The addition of your wedding florals would bring it all together!

“It’s the little details that count!”

We hope this was helpful to you and we absolutely can’t wait to photograph your wedding and preserve your vision!

xo,
Marijo & Andy

Want us to capture your day?

Check out Sarah and Matt’s Fairytale Temecula Wedding Here!

Magical Ranch Wedding at Galway Downs by Wedgewood in Temecula // Sarah and Matt

Sarah and Matt had the most magical wedding at Galway Downs in Temecula. It was pretty much a fairytale. The venue? Beautiful. Lush meadows with tall whimsical trees surrounded by white roses. When the light hits…wow. The perfect venue to showcase a love like Sarah and Matt’s.

I met them for the first time for their engagement session in LA. We were in the hills, it was early morning, and the summer heat didn’t shy away from making itself known. The only thing that distracted Matt from the 90+ degree weather, was Sarah. Every time he looked at her, it was like everything bad in the world faded away. It was a quiet kind of love, one that you felt. So it was the most amazing surprise when Matt came out of his shell while surrounded by all his friends and loved ones their wedding day!

When you meet their family and friends, you immediately understand all kinds of love. There were happy tears everywhere, from everyone (including us)! We can’t wait for you to experience it, so tag along as we go through memory lane and teleport to Temecula, CA on a day that legit felt like a dream!

Sarah and Matt wanted a traditional first look: one where he first sees her as she walks down the aisle. But as an alternative, Sarah opted for a first look with her bridesmaids! I absolutely love this idea because when you have a #bridesquad like hers, you can’t miss out on a first look opportunity!

To be totally transparent, she needed someone to help her get ready without ruining the moment of the “first look.” So one of her maids of honor, Amber, helped her prep alongside her mom. Honestly, when Amber first saw Sarah in her dress, she started tearing up. It was all worth it.

So if you ever feel like someone’s gonna miss out on your first look, don’t worry. Every minute is a moment and it can all be captured!

Sarah, you’re an angel. You lit up the whole room and you were glowing! Absolutely stunning.

We would drive out of Los Angeles to photograph a wedding in Temecula anytime! Galway Downs by Wedgewood was seriously so magical and ephemeral. The trees and roses, with the addition of some rustic wood elements throughout the ceremony and the ranch really created the perfect backdrop for Sarah and Matt.

Let’s take a moment for three things:

1. That pathway bridge where Matt, the groom, and the bridal party walked down to enter the ceremony area is mind-blowing.

2. Sarah entering in a CARRIAGE!! This is it. Literally fairytale wedding.

3. MATT AND SARAH’S FIRST LOOK!! IT. IS. EVERYTHING.

(we can’t ignore everyone else’s reactions to this moment. someone pinch us because it’s too good to be true. re-living it through this blog is giving us goosebumps!)

“The most beautiful day with the most amazing people in my life.”

— Sarah Ayala-Wesoff

After the most perfect garden meadow ceremony and portraits, Sarah and Matt turned their romantic rustic reception in Galway Down’s reception ranch. We love wood beams and light fabric to elevate a space.
Their red, white, and green wedding colors fit the space so well and allowed for a hype party!

P.S. Their semi-naked cake was delicious. It looked to good to eat, but omg.

Shoutout to Lance, Matt’s best friend, who recommended us to Sarah and Matt! Thank you for introducing us to the most amazing people + the most hype bridal party! What a great community to be surrounded by!

Venue: Galway Downs by Wedgewood
Photography: yours truly, A+M Badillo Images

ready to book wedding photos that will last a lifetime?

Check out Casey and Brendan’s Downtown Los Angeles Engagement Here

Documentary Style Engagement in Downtown Los Angeles // Casey and Brendan

Downtown Los Angeles, CA
(Grand Central Market + Angel’s Landing)

Meeting Casey and Brendan was like a breath of fresh air. From our first phone call to the engagement session, they expressed that they weren’t so into posed photos and wanted a more candids. They chose DTLA and Grand Central Market as the backdrop of their engagement because they wanted to highlight Los Angeles since it played a big part in their love story.

Their documentary style engagement session in Downtown LA was everything and was such a good fit for their love story - which, by the way, is just like a movie! And because no one can tell it better than they can, here’s how it went:

“We met on the ides of March 2020, the pandemic lockdown happened at midnight the night we met. I (Casey) should never have been where I was when I met Brendan. I was supposed to be in Ireland celebrating St. Patrick’s day instead of at a bar in Venice beach because the travel bans happened 2 hours after my plane took off to take me there. I didn’t even live in LA. I lived in San Luis Obispo. I was just so tired after my 36-hour trip to Europe and back that my travel buddy and I decided to stop for the night instead of driving 4 hours home from LAX. We needed rest and a drink to process everything that was happening! Brendan was there with his brother and would have left before I walked in but a band album came on the sound system of ‘the Brig’ that they had just seen in concert a few days before...”

The locations in this Downtown Los Angeles documentary engagement session are the very iconic Angel’s Landing, Grand Central Market, and local streets around the area! The bustling city matched Casey and Brendan’s upbeat dynamic. Plus, the food & beer at Grand Central Market were superb and totally represent some of the things they love to do together.

All images taken by A+M Badillo Images, Los Angeles and Pasadena Wedding Photographer.
Serving Southern California and travel where your love takes us!

“…When he walked up to me we were both trying to figure out where we knew each other from. Sure that we had met before. We hadn’t… not one mutual friend and living hundreds of miles apart. We hit it off immediately. After returning home the next day we FaceTimed in our perspective quarantine homes (with our parents). We FaceTimed for hours everyday for 2 months before meeting in halfway where we became official ;) We dated for 1.5 years long distance before I moved to LA to be with him and where we live together now. We feel very lucky to have met. It was meant to be!”

Thanks for the beers and all the fun running around downtown, Casey and Brendan! I love this city so much and will take any opportunity to capture any part of Los Angeles and show off your love story!

And hey, if you’re still here reading, this is your sign to let me tag along with my camera on any city, old town (or winery) date night you want to have! I live for great food, vibes, and photos ;)

Check out Liz and Favian’s Elegant and Rustic Wedding at The Hacienda in Santa Ana, CA

Boho Chic Wedding at The Old Rancho Estate in Carlsbad, CA // Belen and Ross

Carlsbad, CA

What can I say about Belen and Ross? Their sense of humor - top notch. The way they goof around each other - my fav. The way they love on each other - the best of the best!

Their wedding took place at the Old Rancho Estate in Carlsbad, CA on a steadily overcast day. I guess I kept talking about harsh light during their early morning engagement session in Riverside, so when their wedding turned out overcast, they kept telling me they did it for me so I could have my nice even light hahaha So much love for these two!

Let’s give a moment to obsess over their wedding colors! It’s basically genius. Rust orange with light teals and emerald greens were **chef’s kiss. The boho chic look mixed with the Spanish inspired architecture at the Old Rancho Estate was absolutely gorgeous and really brought out Ross and Belen’s fun personalities!

How PERFECT does Belen look?! That crown head piece, that red lip, THE DRESS!

Their first look down the aisle is everything!!

Venue: The Old Rancho Estate
Planning + Catering + Dessert: Personal Touch Dining
Hair and Makeup: Refined Beauty Inc.
DJ: Sound Illusions
Florals: Tess Fresh Flowers

All images photographed by A+M Badillo Images, Los Angeles and Pasadena Wedding Photographer.

Click here to view a Modern Romantic Engagment on 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles, CA

Modern Romantic 6th Street Bridge Engagement // Katherine and Ricardo

Los Angeles, CA

When discussing engagement session locations, Katherine said they were looking for a place that highlighted Los Angeles. It’s where they met and fell in love. The 6th Street Bridge had just opened at the time so after checking out a couple potential spots and going on a drive on the bridge, they decided to move forward with it. I’m so glad they did and I can’t even explain how AMAAAAAAZING they looked!

**Not pictured: me waiting on the street to meet them and as I turn to look across the road, I see them running and waving at me, sun glowing behind them, looking absolutely stunning. I just knew it was gonna be a great session, and I totally regret not turning on my camera to capture that scene that totally looked like it came out of a rom-com. But enough of my ramblings, back to their story!

“We met and fell in love in Los Angeles in our mid-to-late 20's. We encountered some of the toughest obstacles as a couple during those years. We feel like overcoming these obstacles helped to solidify our commitment to one another.”

“I want to feel the sense that we’re each other’s peace. We’re each other’s best friends and know 100% that we always have each other’s backs.”

— Katherine

Another reason why this location was perfect for them: Ricardo said that he grew up right next to it, so he knew the old-school bridge and the surrounding area was kind of like his playground. My favorite part was when he said he and his buddies used to make music videos in the LA River back in the day. I can’t say I haven’t done something remotely the same ;D

It was such a beautiful day. After all the rain we’ve been having here this month, we had to postpone their session and push it a week. Twas a good thing though. The rain had cleared up the smog so the DTLA skyline was clear and the sun came down and gave us a colorful sky.

It was a modern, romantic engagement on the Los Angeles 6th Street Bridge.
Leaving a little space here on the internet to remember Katherine’s chucks that we forgot on the bridge. I’ll think of them whenever I see this photo.

Thanks to Katherine and Ricardo for slaying this session! I can’t wait for your wedding this year!

Click here to check out Boris and Maria’s fun county fair session!

Summer City Fair Couples Session // Maria and Boris

Arcadia, CA

One summer evening, when my heart yearned to do a county fair session, Maria and Boris made my dreams come true. In my head, I said that with a storybook narrator voice haha! But let’s put my dramatic self aside and talk about Maria and Boris!!

If there’s a word to describe how I envisioned this session to be, it would be: energy. And they came through 100000%! They ran around this fair, danced, did lots of lifts and twirling, gazed into each others’ eyes, and made each other laugh like a rom-com was happening in front of my eyes. It was the absolute best!

On December 2021, Maria and Boris met through their friends who invited them to dinner one evening. Although they didn’t speak much, they hit it off in February when they went bowling with those same friends. Maria said, “since then we have never split.”

Click here to check out Chris and Chianne's Indoor Maternity Session

Indoor, Dancing in the Kitchen Maternity Session // Chianne and Chris

San Diego, CA

Chianne and Chris are the definition of a photographer’s dream! They follow directions really well AND give you all the genuine laughs and happy tears and everything else in between! It’s always a fun and effortless time with them and I’m so honored to have been there for their pregnancy journey and family photos!

This maternity session was the second time I worked with Chianne and Chris, the first being their pregnancy announcement session, the third being their family session with their adorable boy. I’ve been excited to post these photos ever since I finished editing them, but as you all know…time got away from me so here we are! This is probably in the top of my fav maternity sessions to date. Good vibes, beautiful people inside and out, and a modern beach interior that pulled everything together. Seriously obsessed. So much love for these two!

Click here to check out Vanessa and Mario’s Wedding at Stagecoach Inn Museum!

Heartfelt Wedding at Stagecoach Inn Museum // Vanessa and Mario

Stagecoach Inn Museum
Thousand Oaks, CA

Vanessa and Mario are one of the sweetest couples I’ve met! I remember meeting them for their engagement session and thinking about how down to earth they are.

I love how they had some very beautiful surprises at their wedding. For instance, once we got to the venue for the ceremony, all the happy tears started coming out. To top it all off, Mario’s parents showed up and flew from out of the country when they thought they weren’t gonna be able to make it! It was such a beautiful moment seeing them walk him down the aisle, and the smile on his face says it all.

Their first look was when Vanessa walked down the aisle. Eyes tearing up and bright smiles from both of them made that moment priceless and basically set the mood for the rest of the wedding. Lots of love with details that honored people who meant a lot to them. Truly heartfelt.

Check out Cindy and Victor’s Cottage Fairytale Wedding

Whispering Oaks Chapel Cottage Fairytale Wedding // Cindy and Victor

Whispering Oaks Chapel
Woodland Hills, CA

The word “fairytale” is all I think of when I look at Cindy and Victor’s wedding. Everything about it felt like it was. The cottage, the way the trees swayed, the light, the decor…I could go on forever! It was an intimate wedding with only their family and closest friends, but all the love and little details made it seem so much bigger. From her first look with her bridesmaids, to the way Victor teared up when he saw her for the first time walking down the aisle, it was everything a fairytale could be!

Check out Amanda and Jeff’s Maternity Session at the LA Arboretum