What is a Flat lay and why should you want it?
Flat lays are one of my favorite parts to capture on a wedding day, but I realize you may not know why their so important! As photographers we consider a flat lay to be a staple to your wedding gallery. It’s a way to capture small yet significant details that may go unseen. You may think you don’t want it, but you have spent months to years hand picking out every single detail of your wedding. Everything from your invitation to your ring box to your shoes. Those little details deserve the spot light too. Your wedding day gets so busy you may overlook seeing all those little details you picked come together.
Flat lays can be done in many ways. So here’s what to think about as you look at the list, do you want one flat lay that includes items from both partners or one for each of you. So let’s talk about what to include in your flat lay.
Go through this list with your partner and as you read through the ideas below think about what speaks to you. You want your flat lay to represent you as a couple and the theme of your wedding. If you have ideas of your own, AMAZING.
- Invitation Suite
- Rings (engagement and wedding bands)
- Ring Box or Dish
- Jewelry (including necklace, bracelet, anklet, earrings, other rings)
- Cufflinks
- Perfume/cologne
- Vow Books or Vows
- Florals or Boutonnière
Ask your florist for some loose flowers!
- Personal or sentimental Items (i.e borrowed or something blue)
- Shoes
- Pictures or locket
- Handkerchief
- Garter
- Socks
- Watch
- Veil
- Stamps
- Matchbox
- Letters
- Tie/bow tie
- Lip Stick/gloss
- Wax Stamps
- Ribbons
- Personalized items (i.e cocktail napkins, drink stirrers, guest favors)
- Religious or cultural items
- Map of area or photo of your venue
- Hair Pieces
- Gifted liquor, Flask or wedding party gifts
So do you need to have a flat lay? The answer is simply, no. This is your day and by no means required. You can include as many or as little items as you want. Your Photographer will rotate items and create different versions of the flat lay. Your photographer will also capture other details like the shoes, dress, bouquet and veil. If that’s all the items you want capture no flat lay is needed.
If you do want a flat lay organize all your items into a bag or box so everything is ready to for your when your photographer arrives. These photos take about 20-30 minutes so be sure to account for that in your timeline.
I personally use places around the venue that I feel fit with your theme as a background. This could be a wood floor, unique sofa or chair, table or bar, windowsill, patio outside, grass. I want to incorporate the uniqueness of your venue into your photos. Some photographers will bring styling boards. To add different textures things like your veil or lighting/shadows can be used. I also carry around a flat lay bin which includes; ring trays, antique items, ring boxes, chiffon ribbon, wax stamps etc. You photographer may have items to level up your flat lay so talk to them about your vision!
Details with no flat lay
