“What exactly is a flat lay, and why should I care?”
First things first: flat lays are a style of photography where items are arranged on a flat surface and shot from above. It’s a beautifully styled collection of your wedding details, like your rings, invitations, and other pretty little things, captured together in one frame. But why are these wedding photos details so important? Let me break it down for you:
1. Capturing the Unseen Magic
Your wedding day is a whirlwind of joy and emotions! Amidst the excitement, it’s easy for the smaller, often overlooked elements to get lost in the blur. With flat lays, you have the opportunity to pause, appreciate, and forever cherish those unseen moments. From the delicate lace on your veil to the custom engraving on your rings, these wedding photos details make sure that every aspect of your day is preserved with care!
2. Telling Your Love Story
Each item in your flat has a story! Your grandmother’s vintage brooch, the hand-designed invitations, or the cufflinks gifted by your partner, all these wedding photos details come together to narrate your journey as a couple. Years from now, these images will transport you back to the emotions of your wedding day.
This is why I absolutely LOVE creating flat lays for my couples. As a photographer, my goal is to capture not just the visual beauty of your day, but the emotions and memories behind each carefully chosen detail.
3. Showcasing Your Couple Style
Flat lays are a fantastic way to highlight your unique style as a couple! The arrangement of your wedding photos details can reflect your personalities, wedding theme, and overall aesthetic. It’s like creating a visual time capsule of who you are at this moment in your lives!
What Goes into a Wedding Flat Lay?
For the Bride:
- The rings (engagement and both wedding bands)
- Full invitation suite! (formal invitation, save the date, envelopes, stamps, wax seals, RSVP, details card, dinner menu, any other piece of paper that was sent to the guests)
- Shoes (cleaned if they’ve been worn before!)
- Vow book
- Jewelry
- Clutch
- Perfume bottle
- Veil (steamed, please!)
- Garter
- Bouquet
- Something old, new, borrowed, and blue!
Pro Tip: Don’t forget the flowers! Fresh blooms and greenery are the secret to amazing flat lays. Ask your florist to provide extra loose flowers in various shapes, colors, and sizes. Ensure you deliver them dry to your getting ready location before your photographer arrives.
For the Groom:
- Suit jacket
- Tie or bow tie
- Shoes
- Watch
- Cufflinks
- Cologne
- Boutonniere
- Pocket square
- Socks (if they’re fun!)
- Belt or suspenders
- Anything else that is special to the groom
Preparing for Your Flat Lay Session
Want to make your photographer’s job a breeze?
Here’s a quick checklist:
1. Gather all items in designated boxes (one for the bride, one for the groom)
2. Clean any previously worn items
3. Steam the veil
4. Arrange for extra loose flowers and greenery
5. Ensure all invitation suite pieces are available
6. Include any special or sentimental items
Timing is Everything
Here’s an insider tip: Snap these wedding photos details while you’re getting glammed up! Why? Because that’s when all the goodies are available, and we’ve got the time to work our magic! Flat lays can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to perfect, so plan accordingly!
If you’re eyeing my 8-hour photography package, you might want to consider adding an extra hour for these detail shots. Trust me, it’s SO worth it for those stunning wedding photo details! (see my packages!)
Final Thoughts
Wedding photos details, especially in the form of flat lays, are an essential part of telling your love story. They capture the essence of your day in a unique and beautiful way and preserve memories that the whirlwind of the celebration might otherwise lose. Prepare for these shots and give your photographer the time and resources they need. By doing so, you’ll ensure that you remember and cherish every aspect of your special day for years to come. So gather those goodies, prep those flowers, and get ready for some flat lay magic that’ll make your wedding photos details absolutely unforgettable!
Don’t forget to take a look at Taylor and Jim’s wedding to see how these beautiful flat lays tie into a complete wedding day story. Their celebration is a perfect example of how these detail shots enhance the overall wedding!
Book Me As Your Boston Wedding Photographer
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who is as passionate about the little things as you are, I’d love to chat! Fill out my contact form to ensure we preserve every special moment in the most stunning way possible!
Check out my Pinterest for more of my work and get inspired!!
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