What to Include in Your Wedding Flat Lay Photo: Complete Guide
Your wedding day is filled with meaningful moments, but it’s also filled with thoughtful details. The kind of details you spent months choosing, crafting, or dreaming up. A wedding flat lay is one of the best ways to preserve those details forever. Flat lays are carefully styled photographs of your wedding items, usually taken by your photographer early in the day. Think of them as curated still lifes of your love story, beautifully composed and brimming with personality. Here’s everything you can include in your wedding flat lay, plus a few tips for making it picture-perfect.
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Why Flat Lays Matter
While portraits and candid moments capture the heart of your day, flat lays tell the story of the smaller, quieter pieces: the scent of your perfume, the lace on your invitation suite, the heirloom earrings passed down from your grandmother. These images freeze those design decisions in time, reminding you not just how your wedding looked, but how it felt.
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What to Include in Your Wedding Flat Lay
Below is a thorough checklist broken into categories to help you gather everything ahead of time. Keep these items together in a box or pouch, and hand them off to your photographer when they arrive.
1. Paper Goods
Your stationery is the visual introduction to your wedding, so it deserves a starring role in your flat lay.
- Full invitation suite (invite, envelope, RSVP card, details card)
- Calligraphy envelopes with vintage or custom stamps
- Save-the-date card
- Custom monogram or wedding logo
- Wax seals
- Vow books
- Ceremony programs
- Menus
- Place cards or escort cards
- Custom maps or itineraries
Tip: Bring two full suites, just in case. Unused envelopes or duplicate cards can help layer the look.
Read More: 11 Things You Can Do With Extra Wedding Invitations
2. Rings and Ring Boxes
The rings are the heart of the commitment and the sparkle in the photo.
- Bride’s engagement ring
- Bride’s wedding band
- Groom’s wedding band
- Ring boxes (velvet, acrylic, vintage, or monogrammed)
- Ring dish or tray
- Loose stones or family heirloom pieces (optional)
Tip: A unique ring box elevates the photo. Consider one in your wedding colors or a personalized design.
3. Accessories
These personal touches bring texture, shine, and style to your layout.
For the bride:
- Jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelet)
- Hairpins or hair combs
- Perfume bottle
- Shoes
- Garter
- Clutch or bridal bag
- Veil (especially if it has lace or embroidery)
- Dress hanger (pretty, monogrammed, or wooden)
For the groom:
- Cufflinks
- Watch
- Tie or bowtie
- Pocket square
- Boutonnière
- Tie clip
- Socks (especially if they’re custom or meaningful)
Tip: Make sure everything is clean and wrinkle-free. Iron ribbons and handkerchiefs ahead of time if needed.
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4. Flowers & Greenery
Fresh florals bring softness and color to a flat lay, echoing the aesthetic of your overall day.
- Loose flower stems (ask your florist to provide extra blooms)
- Small sprigs of greenery or herbs
- Individual petals
- Small wedding bouquet
- Floral boutonnière or corsage
Tip: Let your florist know ahead of time that you want flat lay florals. They’ll usually be happy to prep a few just for styling.
5. Textiles and Styling Pieces
These details help create depth and balance in the photo.
- Silk or velvet ribbons (in your color palette)
- Linen napkins or fabric swatches
- Small trays (metal, ceramic, or mirrored)
- Ring dishes
- Handwritten love notes or letters
- Lace or tulle scraps from your dress alterations
- Mini books or antique pages
Tip: Soft layers and overlapping textures photograph beautifully. Don’t be afraid to mix metallics with organic elements.
6. Personalized & Sentimental Touches
These are the pieces that make your flat lay truly yours.
- Custom wax seal stamps
- Your wedding date in calligraphy or on a token
- Initial charms or letter beads
- Something borrowed or blue
- A locket or family photo
- Passport or boarding pass (for destination weddings)
- A coin, token, or keepsake you’re carrying
- Your handwritten vows or a page from your ceremony script
Tip: Even one sentimental item can transform your flat lay from pretty to powerful. Think about what matters most.
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7. Extra Details (Optional but Lovely)
If you’re working with a stylist or detail-loving photographer, these extras can really enhance the final look.
- Small vintage scissors
- Feather quills or calligraphy pens
- Custom matchbooks or favors
- Champagne cork from your engagement celebration
- Mini versions of your table numbers or signage
- A watch, compass, or pocketknife for masculine details
Pro Tips for a Beautiful Flat Lay
Organize everything ahead of time:
Put them in a labeled box or pouch so your photographer doesn’t have to track it down while you’re getting ready.
Communicate with your planner or photographer
Let them know if you have specific flat lay dreams. They may bring extra props or backgrounds.
Don’t stress over perfection
Not every item needs to be used; the best flat lays tell a story, not just check a box.
Use your color palette
Incorporate it subtly through florals, fabric, and ink tones to tie it all together visually.
Concluding Thoughts: Your wedding flat lay is like a love letter in pictures. It’s a quiet tribute to the moments and mementos that made your day so meaningful. When styled thoughtfully, it captures care, sentiment, and style, preserved in a frame you’ll treasure forever. So gather the details that speak to your heart, and let them shine. Years from now, when the flowers have faded and the vows have been lived, your flat lay will still be whispering the story of your wedding day.
