6 Musts for Flat Lays

Authored + Photographed by Jenna McElroy

It’s ALL in the details!
How fun is it that we get to take a small item—a tiny little detail—and use it to create a beautifully curated piece of art for our wedding clients?

On wedding days, it is our job as wedding photographers to capture all the little moments down to the smallest details. From the couple to the candid moments to the unique personal elements that couples often cherish for generations, every part is equally as important as the next.

Their wedding details—the personal jewelry, the grandmother’s wedding box, the shoes, and beyond—are the custom aspects that make their wedding day truly theirs. These items separate each wedding day from the next, celebrating the couple’s unique experiences together. We have the privilege of showcasing these heirlooms in carefully styled vignettes for the couple to treasure forever.

“Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.”
—Leonardo da Vinci

Timeless detail photos are the perfect addition to heirloom wedding albums that get passed down for generations. They’re a must-have for features in luxury wedding blogs and magazines and are revered by fellow wedding artists—stationers, florists, shoe designers—whose work often shines brightest in wedding-day flat lays.

From rings, jewelry, veils, invitations, name cards, shoes, florals, perfume, and heirlooms, styling and shooting wedding day details has become one of my favorite aspects of photographing weddings. It is a thoughtful, intentional process that takes practice to create something meaningful.

1. Give Yourself Time

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is an elegant flat lay. It takes time to pull together all the couple’s details and style them intricately.

Coordinate with the planner and couple beforehand to ensure you have ample time to style all the pieces on the day of the wedding. Provide the couple with a list of items you’ll need to photograph during the planning stages so they’re ready and organized for you.

If the schedule is tight or locations are spread out, styling and shooting details the day before or after the wedding can be ideal. Make it a relaxing styling session with the planner or stylist, or style solo afterward using the bride’s details and some leftover florals.

2. Wedding Style

“It is so meaningful when you can keep the details authentic to the couple, and make sure the details will seamlessly match the rest of the wedding day.”

Keep a styling kit with classic essentials—ribbons, ring boxes, linens, vintage stamps, tape, ring dishes—in neutral or adaptable tones. However, always ask for the wedding color palette in advance so you can add customized elements that align with the overall theme.

Matching the flat lay with the wedding’s style and color will elevate its impact. Knowing invitation colors or theme in advance allows you to choose the right linen, styling board, or even purchase custom accessories like a personalized ring dish.

3. Bring in Nature

There can never be enough florals! Marrying wedding details with natural elements enhances their beauty.

Ask the florist for extra blooms or greenery—many are happy to provide them as it showcases their work. If not, consider foraging from the venue itself, always ensuring it aligns with the setting and aesthetics.

4. Straighten the Details

Once your vignette is styled, check the lines and visual flow.

For invitation suites, ensure all sides are straight and aligned. For more organic layouts (like shoes surrounded by flowers), check that everything is evenly spaced. Straighten and perfect your layout before snapping your photo—it’s easier now than in Photoshop later.

5. Composition

In Western design, we read from left to right, so style your flat lays accordingly. Start with the invitation card with the couple’s names in the upper left, and build around it.

Keep key composition principles in mind:

• Flow
• Balance
• Texture
• Space

Use odd numbers for visual interest (3 or 5 florals instead of 2 or 4), balance heavy elements, and vary texture using velvets, ribbon, ceramics, or greenery. Use risers (or lens caps!) to add depth. Let some items fall off the frame’s edge to guide the eye in and out of the image naturally.

6. Shoot Different Angles

Once styled, take at least three photos:

• A wide shot of the entire vignette
• A mid-range image
• A close-up (macro) shot of an individual element

Reconstruct, deconstruct, and experiment with angles and compositions to provide your couple with a rich collection of visual storytelling. Try overhead, diagonal, or side shots for variety.

Final Thoughts

Styling is a skill—and one that gets better with practice. The more you try new setups, experiment with layouts, and challenge yourself creatively, the more stunning your flat lays will become.

Don’t be afraid to make this part of the day your creative playground—it’s your moment to tell the story of the wedding day in the smallest, most meaningful ways.

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Jenna McElroy
Jenna is an editorial, wedding, and portrait photographer based in Austin, TX. She adventures with her little ones—Christian, Hendrix, and Maverick—and her husband, Scott. She fell in love with film photography at 17 and has never looked back. Inspired by dreamy light and meaningful stories, Jenna finds joy in traveling, meeting people, and capturing life’s beauty—big and small.

📸 jennamcelroy.com
📱 @jennamcelroyphoto