Portrait Of A Bride: Beautiful Ideas For Photographing Wedding Bouquets, Jewelry, Shoes & More

You may be scratching your head thinking, “What do these photos have to do with bridal portraits? I don’t see an actual bride in any of them.” Let us explain. One of the most exciting things about getting ready for your wedding is choosing what you will wear. After great thought and consideration, you selected your wedding dress, bouquet, shoes, and jewelry because they express your personal style and make you feel your best. Together, they tell an intimate story filled with the emotion, love, and beauty that you felt on the day you got married.

Looking through the Real BB Weddings archives, some of the most striking photos are those that showcase the accessories and objects of adornment that our brides wore down the aisle. Because of the once-in-a-lifetime event surrounding them, the heirloom necklace, chic handbag, glittering heels, and signature fragrance carry sentimental value that cannot be measured. In a way, these images present a ‘symbolic’ portrait of a bride. Read on for beautiful ideas for photographing your bridal personals, jewelry, shoes, and more.

Signature Perfume
Out of all the senses, scent is most closely linked to memories. It’s no wonder that many brides choose to include the perfume that they wore in their getting ready photos to remember romantic moments from their wedding day. Many luxury perfume bottles come in beautiful colors and striking designs (check out bride Christina’s signature fragrance, Gucci’s A Chant for the Nymph), making them an ideal piece to include in a flat layout or still-life composition.

Special Wedding Jewelry
In addition to traditional wedding jewelry (the engagement ring and band), you may be wearing a special piece that bears sentimental meaning. Taking care of her ‘something blue,’ Real BB Weddings Bride Beth showcased her dazzling aqua stone pendant necklace in this beautiful still-life photo.

Bridal Shoes
Your choice of bridal shoes say so much about your personal style. Additionally, footwear offers the chance to take a risk and add a pop of color to your wedding ensemble. The only downside of wearing a dramatic dress is that the skirt often covers those gorgeous shoes! Real BB Weddings Bride Carolyn made sure to take a moment and shine the spotlight on her stunning emerald Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps in this striking shot, pairing the iconic shoes with a green velvet ring box. 

The reds soles are a giveaway that BB Featured Bride Claire’s shoes deserve a stage of their own. For this photo, Claire’s gilded Christian Louboutins were arranged in the company of her wedding jewelry and bird cage veil, underscoring her glamorous bridal style.

Wedding Vows Booklet
We’ve already talked about jewelry and shoes. What makes this photo of bride Chen’s bridal keepsakes so special is the inclusion of her wedding vows booklet, because written on these pages are the heartfelt words meant for one person to last a lifetime together.

Bridal Clutch
Not just a fashion accessory, bridal clutches serve a functional purpose, keeping your phone, tissues, compact mirror, lipstick, blotting papers, mints, stain remover, and anything else you may need on hand throughout the celebrations. Whether you found your bag after hours of searching or received it as a gift, chances are it underscores your personal style. We love how bride Kelly’s elegant, vintage inspired look comes across in this photo featuring her white and champagne beaded clutch, glistening chandelier lace earrings, and shoes.

Wedding Bouquet
After the dress, the most important component of a bride’s ‘armor’ is her bouquet. While the arrangement looks best carried in the hands of its owner, the blooms also work wonderfully as a centerpiece in a getting-ready photo (talk with your florist beforehand about providing a vase to keep the flowers fresh). Adding accessories such as your shoes, jewelry, and headpieces not only add to the composition, but also come together to create a ‘symbolic’ portrait of a bride.

Many BB Featured Brides we talk with say that their wedding was a whirlwind of cherished moments. With time, your wedding album becomes a treasure trove of pictures conjuring memories of the happiest day of your life – you’ll appreciate having snapshots that pause and focus on the unique and personal details. Be sure to talk to your photographer about including a couple of photos concentrating on the special pieces that created your bridal look and made you feel beautiful, confident, and like your truest self.