Before-the-Wedding: The Essentials Checklist

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen countless couples overlook these essentials that can make your day smoother, more photogenic, and less stressful. Here’s a curated list of grabby items to buy now. These focus on prep, details, and a bit of emergency backup. Pro tip: Anything personalized is the easiest thing to forget and often the longest to arrive – order these things 3–4 weeks early so you have time to make sure you have your names just right.

It’s All in the Details (Order Early)

These are the tiny “editorial upgrades” that make your wedding day photos look intentional instead of improvised. They also happen to be the things most likely to arrive late, arrive wrong, or need a re-order — so this is your buy-early list.

Before-the-Wedding Essential	Why I recommend it
Elegant Wooden Dress Hanger Take a look	A five-minute upgrade that makes your dress photos look intentional instead of “hotel closet.” Plastic hangers turn the dress into laundry.
Personalized Vow Books Take a look	Your vows deserve better than printer paper — and these photograph like a keepsake, not a meeting agenda. Also: they keep you from fumbling loose pages when you’re emotional.
Custom Ring Box Take a look	The ring box is the background for ring shots. Velvet + personalization makes it instantly elevated, and it keeps the rings from vanishing into a pocket or makeup bag.
Invitation Suite + Personalized Place Cards Take a look	Bring the full suite for detail photos (invite + RSVP + envelopes). Place cards make the reception feel styled — and they prevent the “wait, where do we sit?” chaos.
Custom Cake Topper (Personalized Names/Date) Take a look	This is the one couples remember too late. Order early, spell-check twice, and you get an easy “wow” detail even if you keep the cake simple.
Getting-Ready Robes / Pajama Sets (Bride + Crew) Take a look	If you want getting-ready photos to look polished and cohesive, matching sets are the easiest win. It’s the difference between “we got ready” and “this looks like a scene.”

WOW Moments: Make It Look Like a Movie

You don’t need a bunch of gimmicks. Pick one or two WOW moments and commit — that’s how you get a clean, cinematic sequence people actually replay and share.

Wedding Sparklers (Long-Burn, Photo-Friendly)

Wedding Day Chaos-Proofing Kit

This section is purely functional. It’s the stuff that prevents the day from turning into a scramble — wardrobe issues, shine, power, and quick fixes that keep everything moving.

Honeymoon Power-Up

Also Read: You Don’t need a Wedding Photographer! Save thousands, build your photo kit, and take it on your honeymoon too!

Wedding Day Phone + Drone Plan

Save thousands, build your photo kit, and take it on your honeymoon too!

Bubble Wands (Bulk Pack) Take a look	The easiest joy you can add. Bubbles make everything look happier, softer, and more romantic — and they work even when phones are the only cameras in play.
Wedding Sparklers (Long-Burn, Photo-Friendly) Take a look	Instant “burn the roof down” energy. If you want one big, unforgettable moment, this is it — but only if you use the long-burn kind (short ones die fast and turn into chaos).
Glow Sticks / Glow Wands Take a look	The easiest way to make the dance floor look alive on video. Hand them out and suddenly the crowd shots feel intentional instead of dim and random.
Floating Sky Lanterns (Candle Hot-Air Lanterns) Take a look	This is full-on cinematic. The kind of moment that looks like a music video: lights rising, people cheering, and that “this is the night” feeling on camera.

Garment Steamer Take a look	Wrinkles are louder than you think on camera. Two minutes of steam saves you from a whole day of “why does that look off?” (Dress, veil, suits, straps — all of it.)
White Dress Spot Fix Kit (Chalk-Based Touch-Up) Take a look	Because white fabric attracts reality. This is the tiny fix that disappears on camera — and it beats panic when the hem gets scuffed.
Oil Blotting Sheets Take a look	The fastest reset between ceremony, portraits, and reception. Pat, smile, keep moving. Shine is brutal under sun and uplighting.
Anker 737 Power Bank Take a look	Phones always die right when the day gets good. This keeps directions, texts, playlists, and the group chat alive — and keeps your “memory makers” filming instead of hunting outlets.
10-Foot Charging Cables (USB-C) Take a look	Outlets are never where you need them. Long cords let you charge and stay usable — no corner-of-the-room exile.
Zip Ties (Assorted Sizes) Take a look	Not glamorous, wildly useful. Zip ties fix and secure things fast — without a “duct tape wedding” vibe.
Bluetooth Speaker (Small but Room-Filling) Take a look	Music changes the whole morning. A speaker turns getting-ready from waiting around into a vibe — and keeps the energy up when nerves kick in.
Wedding Day Photos Checklist Book (Shot List Planner) Take a look	A short list keeps the must-have moments covered — without turning your wedding into a spreadsheet. Give this to one reliable “captain” and your results jump instantly.