As a Connecticut wedding photographer, one of my favorite things is hearing the stories behind family wedding heirlooms. Whether you’re wearing your mother’s wedding gown, incorporating a piece of jewelry, using a family china set, or carrying your grandfather’s pocket watch, I understand how important it is to have these items with you. Small details evoke big emotions, especially in photos, so I listen carefully to your stories and make sure to photograph the items that carry so much history. 

Creative Ways to Include Your Wedding Heirlooms 

Many wedding heirlooms can be worn, like your mother’s dress or grandmother’s pearl earrings. But maybe you have a piece of jewelry that doesn’t quite fit your wedding day look. Don’t worry! You can include these pieces as pendants, brooches, or attach them as a charm to your bouquet. There are so many ways to include these pieces without changing your entire outfit. 

If you have an item of clothing that has been passed down for generations, but you don’t want to wear it as the statement piece, you can do what one creative bride did! She turned a piece of her mother’s wedding dress into a clutch that she used at her rehearsal dinner. I’ve had another bride wear her mother’s dress during the ceremony, and change into her own dress during the reception. No matter what wedding heirloom you’re trying to incorporate, we can find a creative way to make sure it stays with you!

Some families pass down pieces of china, a cake-cutting set, or a piece of glassware. These items are perfect for your sweetheart table. Or, if these items don’t match your vision for your reception dinner, we can set them aside for photos to make sure they’re still included. 

How I Document Your Wedding Heirlooms

I love to know the meaning and story behind each wedding heirloom. This way, I can be intentional about how I photograph them! For instance, I love it when I can photograph your grandmother’s engagement ring with yours. This is a simple way to tie multiple generations together.

If the original (or at least, most recent!) owner of the heirloom is at your wedding, I love to photograph you with them and the piece they have passed to you. Maybe you are carrying your grandfather’s pocketwatch. We can take a moment during family portraits to show him the way you’re wearing it! This makes for a great photo, but even more importantly, it gives you a chance to truly connect with your family on your wedding day.

When I photograph your wedding heirlooms, I do it intentionally. They aren’t just part of a pretty flat-lay (although I love including them there, too!). They’re a piece of your story, and I love to weave them into your photographs to pay homage to the generations that have come before. 

A Connecticut Wedding Photographer Who Cares 

When it comes down to it, that is my secret sauce. I care so much. Maybe a little too much, sometimes. But I can’t pass up the opportunity to hear your family stories and admire the pieces that have been loved and cherished for generations! 

Wedding heirlooms aren’t just pretty. They’re pieces of your history. I pay close attention to seemingly small moments so that you can have photos that preserve the feeling of love and family. If you are looking for a photographer who cares just as much about the little details as you do, check out my wedding photography collections. And if you see something you like, contact me! I cannot wait to hear your story and see the little items that hold such big meaning.  

Vendors:

Erin & Anthony at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills

Venue: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills

Florist: In Bloom Event Design

Dress: Everthine Bridal

HMU: Blush Beauty Collective

Rebecca & Jacob

Venue: Riverview

Florist: Agnew Florist