Ahh, there’s nothing I love more as a wedding photographer than starting the day with a beautiful flat lay! Yesterday I was chatting with one of my brides and she asking what kind of details she should include in her flat lay. I figured it’d be best to just write a blog post to answer the question you have as well!
If you aren’t familiar with a flat lay, a wedding flat lay is where I collect certain items from a couple to photograph and style them. This is a great way to include items you might not ordinarily get photos of, like invitations, heirloom items, jewelry, shoes, etc. I also think it makes for a beautiful opening to your wedding gallery or wedding album if you have one.
A flat lay can include details from both you and your groom! It’s not only a bridal flat lay. However, most of the time the two of you need to be getting ready in the same location for me to do a girls and guys version of the flat lay, so keep that in mind.
Here are some items that couples choose to include in their wedding flat lays:
- Shoes + fun socks
- The bridal bouquet and/or loose florals from the florist (if your rehearsal dinner flowers match, snag a bouquet from that for me to use too!)
- Bride’s veil
- A pretty perfume bottle or cologue (maybe you chose a signature scent for your wedding day!)
- Jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelet, rings, any hair accessories)
- Cufflinks, tux studs, jacket pins
- Bowtie or tie
- All three rings – engagement ring and both wedding bands
- A copy (or two) of your wedding invitations with an envelope -especially if there is a fun design on the inside or calligraphy with stamps on the outside of the envelope
- Any prints/holy cards that are meaningful to your relationship
- Family heirlooms that you’ll be wearing
- Gifted liquor/wedding party gifts
- Lipstick of the day
- Any religious items like a rosary, saint or family memorial medals you’ll have on your bouquet
- Your wedding crucifix if you have one
- Special hanger for your dress
- Pretty ring boxes (personalized or not) and ribbons that match your wedding colors
- Personalized things like cocktail napkins, drink stirrers, or guest favors
- Tokens that help to tell the story of the location like sea shells, citrus, etc.
Of course, these photos aren’t required at all! You don’t HAVE to have these photos. If you would like them, then set aside everything you want to include into a box or a bag for your photographer to easily grab at the beginning of the day. Setting up these designs takes about half an hour so make sure you have enough time allotted for this in your timeline.
I like to shoot flay lays on a plain background. I have styling mats I bring to all weddings to make sure we get a nice clean background. Sometimes I like to add the veil on top of the styling mat to add extra detail. If there are fun patterns in your getting ready location that would make a good background (like a textured sofa, fun table, tiled floor) then sometimes I use that too. It’s so fun to play with the details that encapsulate the personality of the couple.
What would you include?
If you liked this post, check out my other wedding tips here: Planning
