Setting your photographer up for success: Your Flatlay
Before planning your wedding, you may have never heard the term “flat lay” - even while reading the opening to this blog post you may be starting to panic that you are totally clueless as to what it is. No need to fret, we’re going to explain it all to you and how you can achieve beautiful results that you’ll treasure forever.
In simple terms, a flat lay is a bird’s eye view of an array of carefully arranged objects. In the wedding world, it is where your photographer gets to get a little creative with your paper goods and clothing and jewelry accessories. While the objects they are photographing are beautiful as is, the perfect flat lay will also include added elements of texture and color. Some examples include: vintage stamps, wax seals, greenery, florals, ribbon, ring boxes, trinkets… the sky is truly the limit. Over the years, flat lays have become a staple in wedding photography; so much so that many professional photographers arrive on site with tool boxes full of flat lay goodies (be sure to ask if your photographer does this, so you’re not buying any unnecessary items). Many even have their own foam board backdrop assortment to offer a variety of backgrounds. Even with many photographers coming well prepared to create gorgeous flat lay images on your wedding day, there are a few things you can do to set them up for success.
Bring copies of all of your wedding paper goods - most importantly the invitation suite. This would also include anything leading up to the wedding day as well, such as your bridal shower invitation and save the date. You’ve likely spent a lot of time and money creating these beautiful items (or you’ve worked with an awesome stationer), so be sure to pack them for your photographer so you can enjoy them for years to come. Also, if you have other paper design elements that are a part of your day, such as table numbers, escort cards, menus, etc., be sure to let your photographer know so they can include those in their flat lays as well.
Although photographers often have a few ring boxes on hand, they may not have one that matches your wedding colors. It is always a nice touch to order a customized ring box that matches your wedding design, and you can even get them personalized with an initial or monogram. Not only do these look amazing in the photos, it is such a special memento that can be passed along to future generations. We recommend the Mrs. Box, or you can find a few sellers that make them on Etsy.
Also, while we’re on the subject of rings, put a reminder to have your rings (engagement and wedding band) cleaned the week of the wedding! Don’t forget about your fiance’s ring(s), too!
Do you have any sentimental heirloom items that you’d like to be photographed? Maybe your grandmother gave you the pearl hair comb she wore on her wedding day, or perhaps you have the key to your great grandparents first home. These items are absolute treasures, and if you feel they are significant to your marriage and new life together, definitely include them. They will add the sweetest touch to your flat lays.
Your photographer will certainly include your shoes in the flat lays, so don’t be afraid to spurge on them! Whether you’ve been eyeing a pair of Badgley Mischkas or Jimmy Choo’s, we encourage you to treat yourself. Forty years after your wedding day when you’re rocking your newest walking sneaks, you’ll look fondly back on these photos remembering how gorgeous you looked in your stunning bridal designer shoes. Pro tip: keep your shoes in the box during transport to fittings, your bridal session, and your wedding day to keep them looking brand new. For an additional layer of protection, have them in a bag inside of the box. Those babies are precious, and we don’t want anything bad to happen to them!
If you’re a groom, or are marrying one, they deserve some flat lay love, too! Flat lays can include any and all accessories - cologne, mens shoes, watch, cufflinks, etc. Not all flat lays are feminine and romantic, a good photographer can create a masculine edgy flat lay as well.
Have all of the items needed for your photographer all organized and ready to go in a bag or plastic storage container with a lid. You can let your planner know that it needs to end up in the photographer's hands upon their arrival, and they will be sure it gets where it needs to go.
We hope this post helped you to understand what a flat lay is, and how you can help your photographer achieve amazing results. When scrolling online, it’s easy to start saving images of ceremony and reception decor that catches your eye. May we suggest that you start researching wedding flay lays? We guarantee you’ll be swooning in no time and will soon realize how vital these images are to your wedding design and vibe.