While most wedding photos capture the big moments—the joy, the dress, the dance—a flatlay freezes the small, special details in time. From the engraving on the rings to the delicate edges of the invitation and blooms from the bouquet, it’s a carefully curated arrangement that tells the couple’s love story through meaningful details. Whether you’re a photographer or a couple planning your big day, this post has everything you need: a step-by-step guide for creating the perfect flatlay, a list of must-have items, and plenty of inspiration from our wedding suites!

1. Preparation

Prepare a details box to hand off to your photographer on the wedding morning. This will help them capture all the personal items you’d like in your flatlay shots. Some photographers prefer receiving these items ahead of time to experiment with the layout, so it’s a good idea to check with them beforehand and see what works best for their process. This little step will ensure your details are beautifully captured with plenty of time for creativity! 

What to include in your Details Box:

• All the pieces of your custom invitation suite, duh 😉
• Wedding rings – both bride’s and groom’s
• Vow books
• Bridal jewelry – earrings, necklace, etc.
• Boutonniere or florals
  Vintage Stamps
• Ribbon or fabric swatches to add texture
• Wax seals or stamps
• Perfume bottle
• Heirloom pieces – locket, handkerchief, anything monogrammed
• Bride’s shoes
• Meaningful trinkets – love letters, postcards

Photographers: Make sure you’ve set aside enough time for these photos—they should never feel rushed! Give yourself at least 30 minutes (more if possible) to style, shoot, and clean up afterward. When there’s time to experiment, the results speak for themselves!

3. Composition

Putting some items together on the ground and snapping a pic might sound simple, but crafting a truly impactful flatlay takes much more intentionality than that. Here are our top 3 tips for creating a composition that really stands out.

Choose your Background: Your flatlay background can be as simple or bold as you like! Neutral styling mats, textured fabrics, wooden floors, or painted surfaces all work beautifully. Our go-to? A textured surface layered with gauzy fabric for a soft, romantic feel. If you’re after a more modern look, try incorporating concrete—whether from the venue or outdoors. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the backdrop that best suits your style!

Layer for Depth: Layering is one of the most underrated techniques to elevate your flatlays. By combining different heights, you create depth and avoid a flat, one-dimensional look. Always make sure your most important piece is raised higher than the rest. We like to keep small items on hand to prop up key elements and add height. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference this little trick makes in creating a more visually engaging composition!

Play with Layout: Intentional composition is everything. Start with a focal point—in our case, it’s always the invitation—and build around it. Balance the arrangement with additional pieces, ensuring that the colors and elements are evenly distributed. Leave space to let each piece shine, avoiding a cluttered look. We spend an obscene amount of time ensuring every line is straight (unless intentionally styled otherwise), and always check from the overhead view. What looks straight at eye level often isn’t from above, so always double-check from that angle for a polished, professional result.

What sets us apart?

Booking with us for your custom wedding invitation suite does more than just set the tone for your big day—it ensures your invitations shine in those beautiful detail shots. Our designs are created to stand out, becoming the star of your flatlays and adding that extra wow factor to your wedding album. We even package a special suite just for your photographer, prepped and ready for those flatlay moments, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Let us help you create invitations that tell your love story and look stunning in every shot!

Experience the Anna Howe Design Difference

If you feel overwhelmed by the task of wedding invitations and choosing the right print mehod, we have good news: we’re here to help! With so much already on your plate in the wedding planning process, we exist to take the stress of design, timeline, etiquette, and production of your save the dates, invitations, and day-of paper goods off the table. AHD clients get one-on-one access to a designer to hold your hand through every step of the process as well as unlimited proofs until every single detail is perfect! If this sounds like something you’d be into, we’d love to hear from you! Fill out the form here to get started today!