If you’re serious about upping your styling game, you absolutely need to have a tool kit you bring along to weddings! Keeping a bag of tricks up your sleeve (or in the trunk of your car) is the best way to ensure you have a range of items to compose a dynamic flat lay image. You’ll be prepared for creating beautiful detail shots regardless of the props or personal items your client provides.
Here are the must-have items for your styling kit, as well as the best places to shop for them.
1. Ring boxes
The best place for ring boxes is the original heirloom velvet ring box: The Mrs. Box! With a great variety of beautiful colors in three different sizes and two shapes to choose from, this is the best place to stock your kit. Start with a single box for styling the engagement ring and a double box for the wedding bands, and pick a neutral color if you want to keep your investment on the low side with just one or two options — the Roosevelt, Westerly, St. James (my personal fave!), and Monroe are all versatile choices that will work with almost any wedding’s color palette.
2. Ribbon
Silk + Willow is one of the pricier options, but in my experience, the quality can’t be beat! They don’t fray like some of the other silk ribbon choices, and the rich colors are so stunning. Again, start with neutral colors to keep it simple and applicable to most of the weddings you’ll photograph. Sheer blush and dove gray are great options!
Silk + Willow is the best resource for quality silk ribbon to stock in your styling kit!
3. Styling mats
Locust Collection and Chasing Stone both offer styling mats that roll up and are easily transported to both local and destination weddings! Chasing Stone also sells a linen tote bag for carrying your mats around.
There are a lot of ways to get creative with what you’re including in your styling kit, but these are the three basics (ring box, ribbon, and styling surface) are what you truly NEED to build your foundation!
Some other goodies included in any good styling kit:
- Vintage stamps
- Faux or dried flowers or greenery
- Ring dishes
