Detail Items to Include in Your Wedding Flat Lay Photos

Whether it’s jewelry, family mementos or table settings–I’m here to capture all of your wedding details. While the wedding events are my first priority, next on the list are all the details that tell the story of your day. See how the wedding flat lay is such a sweet option for highlighting some of your day’s most precious pieces! 

How This Wedding Photographer Finds It All in The Details

For me, details hold a lot of meaning. Growing up I loved owning things that once belonged to or were made by family members. It was even more special when the items belonged to those whom I had never met. 

Holding onto these treasures was a great way for me to connect with my extended family. As a kid I loved hearing stories about my dad and grandparents. The belongings that come with those stories hold so much value for me. That’s why I love capturing all the personal details that make up your own day. It tells me so much about your own family history.

Believe it or not, the items included in your wedding flat lay photos can actually tell your story. These are my top tips I love sharing with my couples as part of their wedding day prep about what to include in your flat lay photography!

The Breakdown of What to Put In Your Wedding Flat Lay Photos

Your wedding flat lay photos give us a chance to showcase the old together with the new. The purpose of a flat lay photo is to highlight the key items essential to telling the story of your day. This may include foundational pieces such as the bride’s shoes and veil, the wedding rings, as well as the groom’s cufflinks or boutonniere. 

I call these the “big items,” because they are some of the most common and important inclusions. These top four pieces generally include the following: 

• Rings
• Vow Books
• Full Invitation Suite 
• Jewelry (wedding bands, engagement ring, other bridal jewelry and personalized cufflinks for the groom)

The fun part is that the rest is completely up to your own style! I suggest starting this process by thinking through the ways you are personalizing the rest of your day such as including your pup or how you decorate the reception. 

For example, observe the colors and the look of your venue. Are there items you can pull from the environment or your decor that represent the feel of the day? These minor details become the real special gems that tie a flat lay together!

Another category of items provides a way to represent family members who have passed. This can be done through mementos or family heirlooms. It could be a grandpa’s watch or a photograph of you and your mom. Often brides will add a locket or other token to the bouquet itself so the loved one can “walk” them down the aisle. 

How to Make Your Flat Lay Wedding Photos Happen

While the look of your wedding flat lay photos falls on me, what it includes is completely dependent upon you! No items are ever required; I have listed just ideas to get you inspired. But, there are specific ways to make these photos flow smoothly so it fits well with the rest of the wedding day timeline. Here’s how to help your photographer out with the entire process:

Your first step is to organize all items into a bag or box so that they are ready upon your photographer’s arrival. If there is detail you want included separately from the flat lay, like a locket or note being pinned to your bouquet, then please prepare this separately or label it within the same box. The wedding dress should also be out of the bag and hung on a non-plastic hanger.

I love utilizing your venue and getting-ready environment as it helps in telling your story! I’ll take the time to get creative with layers and shadows using elements like tiles, stonework, wood, fabrics, etc. for your backdrop.

It’s important to account for these photos within the getting-ready portion of the day while hair and makeup are still being done. The photos can take about 30 minutes fitting within the timeline like this:

• 12:00 PM: Photography coverage starts with flat lay details.
• 12:30 PM: Bridal touch ups.
• 12:45 PM: All hair and makeup is finished and we start photographing bridal party pajamas or robe photos and then have the ladies start getting dressed.

Bonus Wedding Flat Lay Ideas

I also love a good late-night flat lay that tells more of the party (or even the after-party) story! The following are some ideas:

• themed sunglasses
• party favors
• purse
• dancing shoes
• signature drink
• menu
• place cards

Your Flat Lay Photo Props Idea List

These photos are meant to bring out the wedding theme and reflect your personality before the day’s activities even begin! This means that your wedding flat lay is up to your own design whether that is super detailed or simple. I will work with whatever you provide! Below is a comprehensive list of ideas to inspire your own selections for this flat lay wedding photography.

Invitations

1. Provide multiples of everything especially if they are double sided including the envelope which may have a fun design on the inside or calligraphy with stamps on the outside!
2. Have calligraphy done on just these envelopes for an elegant touch.
3. Extra wax seals.
4. Full invitation suite: reception card, response card/envelope, etc.

Jewelry

1. Both wedding bands.
2. Engagement ring(s).
3. Ring box.
4. Other jewelry like earrings, a bracelet or a necklace (only include pieces that will be worn). 
5. Groom’s watch.

Bridal Accessories

1. BLOOMS! Ask your florist for some blooms to really elevate the photos in addition to including the bridal bouquet.
2. Formal shoes or reception shoes.
3. Perfume and lipstick.
4. Handbag. 
5. BOTH vow books should be included with the bridal details.

Groom Details

When wedding parties are getting ready at completely different sites then we will need to do the bride and groom detail photos separately. Note that his rings and vow book should be with the main details box to be photographed with the bride’s. These are the groom-only items:

1. Boutonniere
2. Cologne
3. Cufflinks
4. Fun Socks
5. Special Mementoes
6. Watch
7. Pocket Square

Odds & Ends

1. Wedding party gifts or wedding favors (e.g. gifting limoncellos).
2. Any fun reception shoes provided for guests.
3. Heirloom items like a hair clip, compact mirror or grandpa’s watch.
4. Something borrowed, something blue items.
5. Personalized reception items like cocktail napkins or drink stirrers.
6. Tokens that help tell the story of the location like sea shells.
7. Fabric or ribbon to tie in the color of the bridesmaids dresses or general decor.

Vendors

Photographer | Shelly Pate Photography

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