Wedding Invites: Photos, Yes Or No?

Wedding invitations are traditionally formal, elegant, and understated, but modern couples are increasingly choosing to include photos on their invites. This can be a great way to add a personal touch, especially if you want to introduce your guests to your soon-to-be spouse. Photos can also make your invites stand out and give you the chance to show off your engagement photos. However, some couples prefer to stick to a simple, elegant look without photos. Ultimately, it's up to you whether you include a photo on your wedding invites, but if you do, there are plenty of creative ways to do it.

Pros and cons of including photos on wedding invites

Wedding invitations with photos are becoming increasingly popular. However, there are several pros and cons to consider before deciding whether to include photos in your wedding invites.

Pros of including photos on wedding invites:

• It adds a personal touch to your stationery, allowing you to share a favourite snapshot with your guests.
• It makes your invites stand out and helps them to be memorable.
• It gives you the ability to completely customise your invitation suite, especially if you're not set on a colour palette or theme yet.
• It can help guests get to know your soon-to-be spouse, in case they aren't familiar with them.
• It provides an alternative to a central motif, theme, or style, allowing you to showcase your engagement photos or a favourite vacation spot.
• It creates a tangible connection between the invite and the happy couple, building enthusiasm and anticipation for your upcoming celebration.

Cons of including photos on wedding invites:

• It may be seen as less formal, especially if you're having a traditional or formal wedding.
• It takes up valuable design space, which some couples may prefer to use for other elements such as motifs, themes, colour trends, and text.
• It may be more costly, as you'll need to factor in the cost of printing photos in addition to the invitation costs.
• It may require more time for design and production, especially if you're working with a professional photographer or designer.
• It limits your options for future events, as you may want to use those photos for holiday cards, thank-you cards, or display them at the reception.
• It may not be suitable for all guests, especially if you have older guests or those who prefer more traditional invitations.

Ultimately, the decision to include photos on your wedding invites depends on your personal preference and the overall style of your wedding.

Photo wedding invitation designs

Wedding invitations with photos are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you choose to include a photo of the happy couple, a scenic landscape, or a creative collage, there are plenty of ways to design an eye-catching and memorable invitation.

One popular option is to use an engagement photo on the front of the invitation, adding a personalised feel to the stationery. This can be a wonderful way to introduce your guests to your soon-to-be spouse, especially if they haven't met them yet. You could also consider using a photo from your wedding ceremony if you're planning a reception bash after eloping or having a small ceremony.

If you want to maintain a more formal feel to your invitations, you might opt to reserve the back of the invite or an enclosure card for your photos. This way, you can include a favourite snapshot while still keeping the announcement elegant and traditional. Another idea is to use photos as envelope liners, adding a unique touch that guests will discover when they open the envelope.

When choosing a photo for your wedding invitation, consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding. If it's a formal affair, a posed portrait might be best. For a fun, casual event, a candid shot could be more fitting. You might also want to use a photo that showcases a favourite location, such as a scenic landscape or a city skyline.

There are many creative ways to incorporate photos into your wedding invitations. You could try using cut-out shapes, adding a transparent overlay, or creating a polaroid-style or filmstrip design. If you're feeling crafty, you can even cut the photo into a unique shape, like a heart, and attach it to the invitation.

With a range of customisable templates available online, designing your own photo wedding invitation has never been easier. So, go ahead and capture your love story in a picture-perfect invite!

How to include photos in your wedding invite packet

Including photos in your wedding invite packet is a great way to add a personal touch and make your invites stand out. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Choose the Right Photo:

• Consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding. The photo should match the theme and style of your celebration. For instance, if you're having a formal wedding, a formal portrait may be a good choice.
• Think about the message you want to convey. The photo should reflect the tone and mood of the wedding. For example, a fun, casual photo could be perfect for a light-hearted celebration.
• Opt for a high-quality image that is clear, well-lit, in focus, and prominently features the couple. Avoid photos that are too busy or cluttered.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Photos:

• Cut-out shapes: Use a die-cut machine or scissors to cut the photo into a unique shape, such as a heart, and attach it to the invitation.
• Overlay: Place a transparent overlay with the photo over the text or background of the invitation for a layered effect.
• Polaroid style: Add a white border and a caption to the photo to give it a fun, retro feel.
• Filmstrip: Arrange several small photos in a filmstrip style, with the wedding details included between each photo.
• Collage: Create a cohesive and visually interesting design by arranging multiple photos together.
• Envelope liner: Surprise your guests by using the photo as an envelope liner, adding a unique touch even before the envelope is opened.
• Envelope flap: Another idea is to use photos as envelope liners or as a decorative element on the inside of the envelope flap.
• Enclosure card: If you want to include a photo but maintain a more traditional invitation design, consider printing your photo on the back of an enclosure or details card.

Remember, the key is to choose a photo and presentation style that reflects your personality and the overall vibe of your wedding. By incorporating photos into your wedding invite packet, you'll add a special touch that your guests are sure to love!

Formal vs informal wedding invites

Wedding invitations with photos are a popular trend, but how do you know if it's the right choice for your wedding? It's important to consider the formality of your wedding when deciding on the style of your invitations.

Formal Wedding Invites

Formal wedding invitations are typically more traditional and upscale. They are often more detailed, with everything spelled out in full, including the date, time, and addresses. Middle names are usually included, and British spellings, such as "honour" and "favour", are used. Formal invites also tend to follow strict etiquette, such as including the names of the hosts and using formal titles and last names when addressing the recipients.

> Together with their parents, Kenzie M. Smith and Jennifer L. Smith, and Mark Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Reyes request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children, Olivia Rose and John Michael, on Saturday, the seventeenth of August, two thousand twenty-four, at half after four in the afternoon, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Reception to follow.

Informal Wedding Invites

Informal wedding invitations are perfect for couples who want a more casual vibe. Abbreviations and modern wording layouts are commonly used, and you may choose not to include your full names. Fun formatting is also an option for the wedding date and year. Informal invites are more flexible and can be tailored to your unique style.

> Jack and Eliza Smith invite you to share in their joy as their son Jack Alexander marries Mason Kim on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 4:30 in the afternoon at [venue name and address]. Reception to follow.

Photos on Wedding Invites

Adding a photo to your wedding invitation is a creative way to make it more personal and memorable. It can be a fun way to showcase your engagement photos or a favourite snapshot of the two of you. However, some couples may choose to forego the photo to avoid taking up too much design space.

• Using a die-cut machine or scissors to cut the photo into a unique shape, such as a heart, and attaching it to the invitation.
• Placing a transparent overlay with the photo on top of the text or background of the invitation.
• Adding a white border and a caption to the photo to create a Polaroid-style look.
• Arranging multiple small photos in a filmstrip or collage style, with the wedding details included in the design.
• Using the photo as an envelope liner, creating a unique touch before the invitation is even opened.

Ultimately, the decision to include a photo and the level of formality for your wedding invitations depends on your personal preferences and the style of your wedding.

Creative ways to incorporate photos into wedding invites

There are many creative ways to incorporate photos into wedding invites, and doing so can make the invites more personalised and memorable. Here are some ideas:

Cut-out Shapes

Use a die-cut machine or scissors to cut your photo into a unique shape, such as a heart or your initials. Then, simply attach it to the invitation with adhesive. This method is a fun and unique way to display your photo and can be a great way to incorporate your personality into the invite.

Overlay

Place a transparent overlay with your photo on top of the text or background of the invitation, creating a layered effect. This technique can add depth and interest to your invite, making it stand out from the rest.

Polaroid Style

Add a white border and a caption to your photo to make it resemble a polaroid picture. This idea can give your invite a fun and casual feel, and it's a great way to showcase a favourite snapshot from your engagement or pre-wedding photoshoot.

Filmstrip

Arrange several small photos in a filmstrip style, with the wedding details included between each photo. This creative layout will give your guests a glimpse into your love story and add a unique touch to your invite.

Collage

Arrange several photos in a collage style to create a cohesive and visually interesting design. This approach is perfect for couples who want to include a variety of images, such as engagement photos, pre-wedding photos, or even childhood pictures.

Envelope Liner

Use your photo as an envelope liner, adding a unique touch to the invitation before it's even opened. Your guests will get a wonderful surprise when they open the envelope and see your happy faces looking back at them!

In addition to these ideas, you could also consider using a photo as a save-the-date card or thank-you card, or displaying photos near the guest book or escort cards at your wedding reception.

Frequently asked questions