While most of your wedding photos capture the overall feeling of your day—the emotion of your ceremony, the shape of your gown, and your partner’s famous dance floor moves—a wedding flat lay allows you to preserve the smallest details of your wedding design, from the engraving on your rings to the hand-torn edge on your invitation. 

“A wedding flat lay refers to a styled arrangement of wedding-related items and details arranged on a flat surface, such as a table or floor, and photographed from above,” says photographer Alicia Rinka. “These flat lays often include items like the wedding invitation, rings, bridal accessories, flowers, and other decorative elements that are significant to the wedding. They serve as a form of visual storytelling, allowing couples to showcase the theme, style, and atmosphere of their wedding.”

So if you’re a photographer in need of inspiration for your clients, or a couple brainstorming a list of items you’d like to spotlight on your big day, we put together a guide on how to create and what to include in a wedding flay lay. Read on for more, including a few visual ideas from real weddings.

How to Create a Wedding Flat Lay

When creating a wedding flat lay, the goal is to produce a visual record of the details a couple worked so hard to choose and coordinate—from rhinestones on shoes to the exact shade of pink featured on the invitation ribbon and party favor tags. While it might seem simple to put together a few items and snap a shot, there are some best practices to follow in order to construct a flat lay that’s visually appealing.

Select the Right Objects

The objects that end up in a flat lay typically include intricate details that would disappear in images where they aren’t the focus: invitation suites, menus, place cards, favors, escort cards, jewelry, fragrance bottles, and bouquet charms, to name a few. Whatever you choose, however, all your items should have one main characteristic in common, says Rinka: “For your wedding flat lay, focus on items that reflect you and your spouse and hold sentimental value,” she shares. “Create balance with a mix of textures, consider a cohesive color palette, and choose items that carry a story for you and your spouse.”

Choose a Background You Love

The background of a flat lay can be almost any material: Some couples prefer a neutral styling mat; others opt for a patterned fabric, wooden floor planks, or a painted surface. Rinka advises couples to discuss their overall vision, especially the background, with their photographer ahead of the wedding, in order for everyone to be on the same page once the big day arrives.

As for her personal favorites? “I like to use colors that compliment or add a contrast to the invitation suite,” she says. “The most common colors are hues of creams, taupes, blues, or even pink. However, you can use patterned styling mats to add depth and design as well. Check with your photographer about styling mats for your items, as not all photographers include flat lay styling.”

Balance Your Layout

Help your layout look cohesive—not chaotic—by balancing the arrangement of the flat lay. Rinka recommends starting with a single focal point, like the invitation, rings, or shoes, which serves as a visual anchor. “Create balance by arranging objects symmetrically, or play with asymmetry for a more dynamic and modern look,” she explains. “Add depth to your flat lay by layering items; place some objects slightly on top of others to create dimension and interest in the photo.”

Make sure to also choose items in a variety of heights and sizes—not just all your papers or all your jewelry—to boost the impact of your flat lay. “This prevents the arrangement from appearing too uniform and adds a dynamic quality,” Rinka shares. 

Focus on the Personal Touches

Even with a perfectly balanced flat lay, less is more; overcrowding distracts the focus from the truly special pieces. “To curate a flat lay that truly resonates with the essence of [one’s] special day, consider prioritizing items with the most significance and sentimental value,” says Rinka. “Focus on must-have elements like the wedding rings, invitation, or cherished heirlooms. Remember: Quality often surpasses quantity, and a carefully chosen selection of meaningful items will contribute to a more impactful and personalized representation of [one’s] wedding narrative.”

The Most Popular Items to Consider for a Wedding Flay Lay

If you’re completely lost as to what you should include in your flat lay, take a look below at some of the top items most couples choose.

• Invitation Suite and Stationery: “Opt for a high-quality invitation suite when selecting items for the flat lay,” says Rinka. “Quality materials not only look better in photographs but also contribute to the overall elegance.”
• Wedding Accessories: Common items include earrings, bracelets, rings, the veil, shoes, hair accessories, and fragrance bottles. “Incorporate heirlooms such as jewelry, handkerchiefs, or accessories to add a touch of family history,” notes Rinka—in addition to items like “a bracelet from your grandmother or a watch, a necklace with sentimental value or a ring.”
• Floral Arrangements and Bouquets: Whether you include your entire bouquet or some coordinating blooms, fresh flowers are a natural and organic addition to a flat lay.
• Other Personalized Items: Between your monogrammed matchboxes, your grandmother’s cake topper, and your printed custom vows, make sure your flat lay highlights the unique aspects of your aesthetic. “Include handwritten love letters or a copy of your vows to capture the personal and emotional aspect of your commitment,” shares Rinka. “Small framed photos of family members, friends, or loved ones who can’t be present can be a heartfelt addition.”
• Cultural or Religious Symbols: “Integrate symbols that represent your cultural or religious background, adding a personal and meaningful touch,” advises Rinka. 
• The Day’s Newspaper: Even if you only read the news on your phone, including a copy of the newspaper local to your venue—with the date visible—is an increasingly popular element in flat lays, Rinka notes.

5 Beautiful Wedding Flat Lay Ideas to Inspire Your Own

Need a few visual ideas to help you get started on your layout? Here are some of our favorites from past real weddings.