Top Tips for Stunning Wedding Day Detail Shots

As a fine art wedding photographer, the curation and styling of your wedding day flat lays and details is a huge part of my service to you. You’ve spent months (even years!) choosing your invitation suites, wedding gown, and guest welcome bags. These details are key connecting points in your wedding day story! In order to capture these elements, it is so important to me to develop a genuine relationship with you, to really understand your wedding day vision, and to collaborate with you – from the development of mood boards to communicating which detail items will be needed to create epic flat lay designs.

So in this blog post I offer some top tips and advice for curating stunning flat lays and wedding day details. From what to have ready for your photographer to suggestions for developing a luxury look without the price point!

Tip #1:

Natural Light

Styling your wedding day flat lays is my first task when I arrive. A typical timeline allows for at least an hour of styling. For optimal images (especially for film!) amble natural light is key. Be sure to have a lot of natural light in the room in which you are getting ready. Keep the space in front of any large windows clear, as I will use this space for your flat lays and detail shots – your dress, shoes, veil, etc. We will later use this space for your getting ready moments. Window light is absolutely stunning!

Tip #2:

Have These Styling Items Ready for Your Photographer

For the invitation suite flat lays, you and I will work together to bring your vision to life. In addition to your full invitation suite, items to consider having are: copies of your other wedding day paper goods (menus, programs, place cards), your rings, ring boxes, ring dishes, wedding dress hanger, your jewelry, perfume, shoes, veil, bouquet, and welcome gifts for guests. I always recommend having your florist include some additional loose florals that coordinate with your wedding florals and color palate so I can use these to design your flat lays! In addition to your personal items, I also bring along my own styling kit. Working together ahead of time helps me to know what ring boxes and styling items I need to bring to coordinate with your wedding vision and style.

Tip #3:

Send Your Invitation Suite Ahead of Time

I highly recommend to my couples that they send me their full invitation suite ahead of time. This allows me to design and style your invitation flat lays a few days before your wedding. This is especially ideal if your wedding timeline is unique (or perhaps offers less hours of coverage) and I am not able to spend a full hour styling your details on your actual wedding day!

Tip #4:

Invest in a Wedding Stationer or Calligrapher

Invest in a wedding stationer or fine art calligrapher such as Julie Ha Calligraphy, Plume Calligraphy, or Isidore Augustine. All of these fine art stationers produce absolutely stunning work that translates not only into a beautiful photograph, but are also an iconic way to introduce your guests to the aesthetic of your wedding day. Even if your budget does not allow you to invest in hand made invitations, I strongly suggest having just one full suite made. Include calligraphy of your personal mailing address on the mailing envelope. This then becomes a beautiful heirloom from your wedding day to share for future generations.

Tip #5:

Don’t Forget the Groom!

Styling your fiancé(e)’s details are equally as important. Items to have ready for your photographer include his shoes, tie, cuff links, cologne, letters from each other, gifts to/from each other, and any other unique details that will be a part of your wedding day. Make sure there is natural window light available in his getting ready space!