What to Give Your Photo and Video Team for Flatlay Photos (And How We Help Make It Happen)
If you’ve spent time picking out your wedding invitations, curating your accessories, or choosing a scent that feels like you, you’ll want those details captured beautifully. That’s where a flatlay comes in. It’s one of the first things your photographer and videographer will shoot, and it helps tell the full story of your day.
So what exactly should you give your photo and video team? And how can you make sure it’s all organized and stress free? Here’s what we suggest.
What Is a Flatlay?
A flatlay is a styled photo of your wedding details taken from above. It usually includes your invitations, rings, accessories, and anything else that helps show the full look and feel of your celebration. These shots are timeless, and they’re often the first ones featured in your gallery or in any publication your wedding might be submitted to.
How Long Does a Flatlay Take?
On average, a flatlay takes about 30 to 45 minutes for your photographer and videographer to style and shoot. If you have a lot of pretty pieces or want different versions (like one for each partner or one with florals), it can take even longer. That’s totally normal—it’s a creative process and worth the time.
What to Set Aside for Your Photographer and Videographer
We always recommend gathering these items and putting them all in one box or bag before the big day. Here’s a guide:
Stationery
Full invitation suite (if you have two sets, that’s even better)
Save the date
Envelopes with stamps
Wax seals, vellum wraps, ribbon, or anything that added a special touch
Rings
Engagement ring
Wedding bands
Ring boxes (velvet, acrylic, or something custom)
Accessories
Perfume or cologne
Jewelry like earrings or a bracelet
Watch or cufflinks
Bowtie or tie
Hair pins or clips
Clothing Details
Shoes
Veil or dress fabric
A boutonnière or mini floral bundle (your florist can usually set one aside for you)
Custom hanger
Sentimental Touches
Vow books
Notes to each other
Family heirlooms
Anything you had made custom like a monogram or logo
Welcome gift pieces or favors you’re excited about
Florals
Loose flowers or greenery to style the flatlay (we’ll ask your florist to bring a few extras for this)
How We Help You Prepare
We like to get ahead of things so your wedding morning is calm and relaxed. We’ll create a personalized checklist for your flatlay and make sure you know what to bring. If you’d rather hand it off, we’re happy to collect everything from you before the wedding so it’s ready when your creative team arrives.
Here’s how we support the flatlay process:
Help create your list of details
Remind you what to pack and when
Communicate with your photographer and videographer so they know where everything is
Coordinate with your florist to make sure florals are included
Keep everything organized so no one’s scrambling
We can also bring extra flatlay mats or backdrops if your team needs one.
Pro Tip: Pack a “flatlay box” with all of your items and clearly label it. If we’re doing setup or coordination, just hand it to us and we’ll take it from there.
Your details deserve to be remembered.
We love helping our couples get those special shots. Whether it’s organizing your flatlay items, building your timeline, or styling everything to match your vision, our team is here to make the day feel as seamless as it looks.
Want help putting together your flatlay box? Let’s chat.
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