It's the details that make your wedding unique to you and your partner and a wedding flat lay is a beautiful photographic record of your vision for your day. From your stationery to your wedding accessories, a flat lay is essentially a collage of all the special elements of your day - which allows your photographer to create gorgeous images that tell the story of your wedding at a glance.
Image: Rose Rae Photography
You probably spent months, even years, pulling together all the creative wedding details that reflect your personal style and the love story you and your partner share, and a flat lay is a beautiful way to capture every detail for posterity.
Your photographer will lay everything out to make a beautiful image - but you'll need to provide all the elements they need. So what details should you include in your wedding flat lay? I've put together this guide to all the items you should have to hand on your wedding morning for your flat lay. I hope this inspires you and ensures you don't miss any key elements out.

Image: Isabelle Rosa Photography
What To Include In Your Wedding Flat Lay
Image SL Photo and Film
Wedding Invitation Suite
Your wedding invitations are a beautiful representation of your wedding’s theme and style. Include the invitation, RSVP card, save-the-date, and any other stationery. These pieces look great in flat lay shots and set the tone for your wedding’s visual story.
Couple's Rings
If you can, have everyone’s bands together to be photographed. The rings symbolise your commitment and love, making them a must-have detail in your flat lay photos.
Wedding Jewellery
Gather all the jewellery and accessories you’ll be wearing on your big day, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. These items, especially if they are handmade or have sentimental value, add a personal touch to your flat lay.
Ideally bring your accessories in their gift packaging so your photographer has a choice about whether to style them with or without their boxes. I send my pieces in beautiful branded boxes or gift bags which could work beautifully with your flat lay, and they can be useful both for displaying your pieces or for simply providing a bit of height and depth.
Image: Rose Rae Photography
Wedding Shoes
Your shoes are more than just footwear - they are a statement piece that say a lot about your personal style. Whether you go for a traditional or non-traditional style your shoes deserve their moment in the spotlight. Depending on what you wear on the day this could be your best opportunity to get a beautiful image of your shoes.
Your Wedding Scent
The scent you choose for your wedding day can evoke powerful memories for years to come. Include your scent bottle in your flat lay to capture the essence of your special day. If you’ve had the bottle for a while give it a polish before your wedding day so it looks perfect in your photographs.

Image: Isabelle Rosa Photography
Wedding Flowers
Flowers are an integral part of your wedding’s aesthetic, and bouquets, corsages or boutonnieres will be a beautiful addition to the flat lay which will ensure your overall look is captured in the images. The flowers will also add colour, texture, depth, personality and romance to your images.
Wedding Hair Accessories or Veil
If you’re wearing a veil or wedding hair accessories, make sure they are included in the flat lay. These items often have intricate details that look stunning when captured up close. Remember your gift boxes and packaging, as these will not only protect your pieces but could be used in your images.

Image: Rose Rae Photography
Keepsakes and Heirlooms
Any meaningful keepsakes or family heirlooms that you’ll have with you on your wedding day should be included. These might be a locket, a handkerchief, garter, or a piece of jewellery passed down through generations.
Trinkets or Jewellery Cases
Finally, think about any beautiful trinkets you have that would work with the details you've picked out - ideally these will fit with the style and colours of your wedding and help to pull your flat lay together thematically and visually.

Image: Emma Pilkington
Vow Books or Letters
If you and your partner have written personal vows or letters to each other, have these ready for your photographer. These intimate words can be a beautiful and emotional addition to your flat lay images.
Special Fabrics or Textiles
Consider including any special fabrics or textiles, such as a piece of lace from your dress, a ribbon, handkerchief or a wedding garter. These items add texture and layers to your flat lay and help to build a picture of the overall look of your day.

Image: Emma Pilkington
Tips for a Perfect Flat Lay
Coordinate with Your Photographer. Let them know you would like a flat lay and discuss the flat lay shots with them ahead of time so they know what items you’ve prepared and can plan accordingly. Take a look at previous flat lays they’ve done to get an idea of what you do and don’t like.
Keep It Organised. Keep all your flat lay items together in one place and lay them out for your photographer in an organised manner to make it easier for your photographer to create a beautiful composition.
Add Greenery or Small Flowers. Ask your florist if they have a few small elements left over from creating your florals that you can use. Incorporating greenery or small flowers can add an organic touch to your flat lay and give it more interest.
Make It Personal. Just like your wedding itself, your flat lay should be personal to you and your wedding style. If it tells the story of your day and your personalities - and makes sense in the context of the other details - add it to your flat lay collection.

Image: Rose Rae Photography
A Cherished Keepsake
Flat lay photography is a wonderful way to capture the little details that make your wedding day unique. By preparing these items in advance, you’ll ensure that your photographer can create stunning images that tell the full story of your special day. These photographs will be cherished keepsakes, reminding you of the thought and care that went into every aspect of your wedding.
Remember, it’s the little details that often mean the most. So, take a moment to gather these treasures ready for your wedding day, and let your photographer work their magic to create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

Image: Rose Rae Photography
Photography credits: