Wedding Planning Tip | The Guide to Wedding Day Details

What is a Wedding Flat Lay?

You probably recognize a wedding flat lay if you see one, but the actual term may not sound familiar. A wedding flat lay is an artistically styled photo of your wedding day details, such as your invitation suite and other meaningful accessories. You likely spent time and energy selecting the perfect pair of earrings, the scent you want to wear, and maybe even a particular book to record your wedding vows. All of these small, thoughtful decision play a significant part in the storytelling of your special day. And years down the road, you'll be able to look back on your invitation suite, the way your florals looked, the bracelet your grandma gave you, and more. Furthermore, the wedding flat lay is a gorgeous addition to your wedding photo gallery.

What Goes Into Creating the wedding flat lay?

Usually, your wedding photographer or planner does the flat lay styling on the day of your wedding. Be aware that they need to do the styling even before your getting-ready images as they will need all your accessories like your shoes, jewelry, headpiece, or any other items you want to have included.

Many planners and photographers have their own flat lay kit that they will bring. Typically the kit contains various accessories like ribbons and ring boxes in assorted colors, wax seals, or vintage stamps, but you are welcome to provide your own accessories. Remember, the way to make the wedding flat lay a one-of-a-kind, the contents must be unique to you.

When creating the wedding day timeline, please carve out an hour just for details alone. This is crucial for thoughtful, elegant images of your dress and wedding day details. Anything less crushes the photographer's ability to be creative and thorough.

What to Include in Your Wedding Day Details

The first item that you always have to include is the wedding invitation. In addition, add save-the-dates, RSVP cards, detail cards, vow books, and envelopes (bring at least two for styling purposes). Furthermore, think of day-of stationery like wedding programs, menus, or your seating cards.

BESIDES YOUR INVITATION SUITE, HERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES THAT YOU COULD INCLUDE:

• Handwritten love notes
• Engagement rings and wedding bands
• Ring dish or ring box
• Flower stems
• Bouquet or boutonniere

Pro Tip: ask your florist to include a few loose flowers with the delivery and make sure they deliver the flowers before the planner or photographer starts taking the flat lay images.

• Wedding shoes
• Garter
• Jewelry (necklace, earrings, watch, bracelets)
• Wedding hair accessories (hair comb, headpiece, hairband)
• Veil
• Cufflinks
• Suspenders or belt
• Socks
• Ties
• Custom dress hanger
• Perfume bottles
• Vintage photographs from family weddings
• Heirloom pieces (antique hand mirror or comb, embroidered handkerchief, pocket watch, flask)

Pro tip: only choose accessories that complement your wedding theme and remember, less is more.

To sum up, a wedding flat lay is a beautiful keepsake of your wedding day. It not only captures the overall look and feel of your wedding but tells your unique wedding story through images.