Wedding Flat Lay Photos – What to Pack From a Western Wedding Photographer & Bride
Wedding flat lay photos are one of my favorite ways to begin a wedding day — they capture the small, meaningful pieces that reflect your story and style. One of the most beautiful ways to showcase those details is through detail photos: carefully styled, overhead images of personal items like your rings, invitation suite, boots, jewelry, heirlooms, and more. These photos set the tone for your entire gallery, creating a polished, artistic snapshot of the elements that make your day uniquely you. Flat lays not only preserve personal touches that might otherwise be missed, but they also help tell the full visual story of your wedding with creativity and intention.
Photographing your wedding flat lay photos helps me get into a creative flow and ensures your gallery feels cohesive and heartfelt from beginning to end. So much thought goes into each little piece — and it’s important to capture them so you can remember it all, down to the tiniest ribbon or buckle.
To help make your wedding morning smooth and stress-free, I’ve put together a simple checklist of what to pack for your wedding flat lay photos — plus a few extra tips I’ve learned while photographing western weddings all across Northern California.
Wedding Flat Lay Packing List:
Here’s a list of items you can include in your wedding flat lay photos “detail box”:
- Wedding Dress & Veil
- Wedding shoes or boots
- All rings (engagement + both wedding bands)
- Any jewelry you will be wearing (earrings, necklace, bracelet, etc.)
- Your favorite perfume
- Something old, new, borrowed, and blue
- Full invitation suite (2 copies if possible)
- Vow books
- Notes or letters you’ve written to each other
- Special ribbons, fabric, or accent pieces
- Bridal bouquet or a few loose blooms
- Wedding favors or welcome bag items
- Heirlooms or keepsakes (like family jewelry, Bibles, or branding irons)
- Any personalized decor or custom touches you want captured
Flat Lay Pro Tip from a Bride & Photographer
Besides your dress, veil, and bouquet (which your florist usually brings), everything else can typically fit into a single box or tote. I recommend gathering your details throughout the planning process so you’re not scrambling the morning of. Pack your “detail box” the week before the wedding and set it aside — easy, organized, done. This also allows me to dive straight into styling and photographing as soon as I arrive, while you relax and enjoy your morning. And if you’d like photos of your dress, splurging on a custom or wooden hanger makes a huge difference — it elevates the look and adds a polished touch to those shots.
You’re always welcome to create a shot list if there are specific items you want featured (like a family heirloom or a custom branding iron), or you can let me take the reins and style a flat lay that reflects your western aesthetic. I love incorporating florals, textures, and meaningful accents — from boots to handwritten vows tied in silk ribbon. Either way, having everything packed and ready means we can focus on capturing the heart behind your details — not searching for them last minute in the getting ready suite.
What Flat Lay Photos Really Add to your Gallery
Wedding flat lay photos are often the quiet heroes of a wedding gallery—they capture the sentimental touches that bring your day to life in ways big moments can’t always show. Documenting them with care adds emotional depth and timeless beauty to your wedding album, making sure every part of your celebration is remembered just as thoughtfully as the vows or first dance.
These wedding flat lays not only preserve the personal touches that might otherwise be missed, but they also elevate your wedding album with a polished, editorial feel that blends seamlessly with your portraits and candid moments.
If you prefer something simple, your flat lay can be as minimal as just your florals and rings—no need for a full spread!
As a photographer (and a bride myself!), I’ve come to appreciate how these little things often hold the biggest memories. Detail photos add depth, emotion, and timeless beauty to your wedding story — and I can’t wait to capture every last one.
Final Thoughts on Flat Lays
As a Northern California wedding photographer who also happens to be a bride, I know just how quickly the day flies by. And I know how much joy it brings to look back and see that every small piece — every flat lay detail — was captured with heart.
As your photographer, I also come prepared with my own flat lay detail styling kit to help elevate and beautifully showcase everything you’ve packed. This includes a curated selection of ring boxes in different colors, vintage-inspired trays, floral holders, cowhide accents, stationery blocks, and more. Whether your style leans classic, rustic, or full western glam, I’ll choose pieces that complement your details and bring them to life in an artistic, elevated way. You’ve put so much thought into what you’re bringing — I’m here to make sure it all shines.
If you’re planning your big day and want a photographer who notices the things that matter most, I’d love to chat. Let’s capture your story — right down to the last detail.
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