Choosing The Perfect Photo For Your Wedding Invitation

Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of wedding planning, and the choice of whether to include a photo is a personal decision. While some couples prefer traditional text-only invitations, others opt for adding a visual element to their invites. Including photos on wedding invitations is a relatively new trend that allows couples to express their authentic style and give guests a glimpse of the upcoming celebration. Whether it's a casual or formal wedding, a photo invitation can be designed to match the desired aesthetic and tone of the event.

Formal vs casual photos

When deciding on the photoshoot style for your wedding invitations, you'll need to consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Are you going for a formal or casual vibe? Here's a detailed guide to help you decide:

Formal Photos

Formal photos are classic and timeless, often featuring the couple in formal attire. These photos tend to be more posed and are usually taken by a professional photographer. Formal photos are a great choice if you want to convey a sense of elegance and sophistication. When the bride wears a formal gown, the photos tend to focus on the head, hands, and silhouette, as body movements are limited. To add variety to the photos, photographers can play with lighting, framing, and "destination shoots" at beautiful locations.

Casual Photos

Casual photos, on the other hand, are more relaxed and informal, capturing the couple in a natural setting or during a casual moment. These photos can be more fun and spontaneous, allowing the couple to show their personalities. If you're looking for a less traditional approach, consider a smart casual attire photoshoot. You'll have more freedom to move around and won't have to worry about damaging your wedding gown.

Striking a Balance

Many couples opt for a mix of formal and casual photos to add variety to their wedding invitations. You can have the best of both worlds by including some formal, posed shots and some casual, candid moments. This approach ensures that your invitations reflect the different sides of your personality and set the right tone for your wedding.

Semi-Formal Attire

If you're going for a semi-formal wedding, it's important to find a balance between formal and casual attire. Semi-formal attire is typically more muted and toned down, with darker colors and business-appropriate ensembles. For women, this could mean a little black dress or an A-line party dress in neutral shades, while men can opt for a suit and tie or a dress pant with a shirt and blazer.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Photos

There are also creative ways to incorporate photos into your wedding invitations:

• Cut-out shapes: 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 on top of the invitation for a layered effect.
• Polaroid style: Add a white border and a caption to make the photo look like a polaroid.
• Filmstrip: Arrange multiple small photos in a filmstrip style with the wedding details in between.
• Collage: Create a cohesive design by arranging several photos in a collage.
• Envelope liner: Surprise your guests with a photo liner inside the envelope.

Photo invitation templates

Photo wedding invitations are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding stationery and share your love story with your guests. When choosing a photo for your wedding invitation, consider the overall aesthetic and tone of your wedding, and select an image that captures the essence of you as a couple.

Formal Posed Portraits

These classic and timeless photos feature the couple in formal attire and are typically taken by a professional photographer.

Casual Candid Shots

Capturing the couple in a natural setting or during a casual moment, these photos are more relaxed and informal.

Engagement Photos

Taken specifically for the wedding invitations, these photos can feature the couple in a variety of poses and settings.

Landscape Shots

This style features a scenic landscape or a location that holds a special significance to the couple, such as a favourite park or beach.

Silhouette Shots

In silhouette shots, the couple's silhouette is showcased against a stunning backdrop, such as a sunset or city skyline.

Black and White Photos

Adding a touch of elegance, black and white photos are a timeless choice for wedding invitations.

Vintage-style Photos

Edited to appear old-fashioned, vintage-style photos often feature a sepia tone or other filters for an authentic feel.

Collages

For a fun and unique look, collage-style invitations feature multiple photos of the couple, often arranged in a grid or collage layout.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Photos:

• Cut-out shapes: Use scissors or a die-cut machine to cut the photo into a heart or the couple's initials, then attach it to the invitation.
• Overlay: Create a layered effect by placing a transparent overlay with the photo over the invitation's text or background.
• Polaroid style: Add a white border and caption to give the photo a polaroid-inspired look.
• Filmstrip: Arrange several small photos in a filmstrip style, with wedding details featured between each image.
• Collage: Create a visually interesting design by collaging several photos together.
• Envelope liner: Surprise your guests with a photo envelope liner, adding a unique touch even before the invitation is opened.

Basic Invite and Zazzle offer a wide range of photo invitation templates to choose from, with various styles, colours, and customisation options available.

Basic Invite's templates include:

• Stacked Photo
• Classic Photo
• Lovely Photo
• Cascading Photo Landscape
• Modern Polaroid
• Traditional Script Photo
• Rocky Beach Stamp
• Elegant Photo Collage
• Modern Photo Collage
• Falling Daisies
• Forever & Always
• And many more!

Zazzle also provides an extensive collection of photo invitation templates, such as:

• Modern dusty blue ampersand 5 photo grid
• Green ampersand 4 photo grid with gold foil
• Sage Green Minimal 3 in 1 Photo Collage Tri-Fold
• Cute Script Elegant Photo Overlay Rustic
• Modern Photo Elegant Stylish RSVP All In One
• Classic Elegant Gold Photo
• Gray Modern Stylish Boho Photo
• Tropical Watercolor Leaves Gold Photo
• Wildflower Mason Jar Photo Collage QR Code
• Modern Arch Photo QR Code All In One Pink
• And numerous others!

With so many options available, you're sure to find the perfect photo invitation template to showcase your chosen image and set the tone for your special day.

Matching stationery

• Colour coordination: Choose a colour scheme that matches your wedding theme and use it throughout your stationery. This can include the envelopes, invitation cards, response cards, and any other inserts. You can also carry this colour scheme through to your wedding website and email invitations if you are sending them.
• Incorporate photos: Use the same photo or set of photos across your stationery. This could be an engagement photo, a scenic landscape, or a combination of images that represent your relationship and wedding style. You can play with different layouts, such as a single photo, a photo collage, or a framed photo with dedicated space for text.
• Consistency in design: Create a cohesive look by using the same fonts, graphics, and design elements across all your stationery. This includes the invitation suite, save-the-date cards, thank-you cards, place cards, and any other printed materials.
• Add personal touches: Make your stationery unique and personal. For example, you can include a photo of the happy couple on the back of the invitation, add a personalised wax seal, or incorporate a meaningful illustration or artwork.
• Carry the theme through: If you have a specific wedding theme, such as rustic, boho, or vintage, reflect this in your stationery. For instance, a rustic wedding could feature invitations with a wooden background or a vintage-style photo, while a boho theme might incorporate floral designs or earthy tones.
• Consider paper type and finish: Choose a paper type and finish that complements your wedding style and colour scheme. Options include matte, glossy, and shimmer finishes, each creating a unique look and feel for your invitations and stationery.
• Explore templates: Many online platforms offer customisable templates that can be tailored to your wedding theme and colour scheme. These templates make it easy to create matching stationery and often include options for multiple photos, elegant frames, and creative layouts.
• Envelopes and liners: Don't forget to match your envelopes and liners to the rest of your stationery. You can use coloured envelopes or liners that complement your colour scheme, or even use a photo as an envelope liner to add a unique touch before the invitation is opened.

By following these tips and ideas, you can create beautiful matching stationery that complements your wedding invitations and showcases your personal style.

Photo editing

When it comes to choosing a photo for your wedding invitation, there are several creative ways to approach this. Firstly, consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding. If you're planning a formal event, a professional portrait or a formal posed photograph of the couple in formal attire could be a good choice. On the other hand, if your wedding is more casual, a candid shot or a fun collage might be more appropriate.

Cut-out shapes:

Add a unique touch by cutting out your photo into a heart or your initials using scissors or a die-cut machine. This adds a creative element to your invitation and makes it stand out.

Overlay:

Place a transparent overlay with your photo on top of the invitation's text or background. This creates a modern and stylish layered effect, especially if you use a vellum overlay.

Polaroid style:

Add a white border and a caption to your photo to give it a polaroid-style look. This is a fun way to showcase your photo and add a casual, playful element to your invitation.

Filmstrip:

Arrange several small photos in a filmstrip style with your wedding details between each image. This is a creative way to include multiple photos and tell a story through your invitation.

Collage:

Create a visually interesting design by arranging multiple photos in a collage. This works well if you have a variety of images that reflect your relationship and want to showcase them all.

Envelope liner:

Use your photo as an envelope liner to surprise and delight your guests even before they open the invitation. This is an unexpected way to incorporate your photo and make your invitation truly unique.

Remember to choose a high-quality photo that is clear, well-lit, and properly exposed. It should also match the layout and design of your invitation, considering factors like orientation and colour scheme.

With these photo editing ideas, you can create a wedding invitation that truly reflects your personality and style.

Photo placement

When it comes to photo placement, there are a few options to consider. One popular option is to feature a single photograph on the invitation, which can be a professional photo from the couple's engagement session or a custom photo shoot. This can be elegant and classy, especially if it's a formal portrait. Alternatively, you can use a candid snapshot to convey a more casual and relaxed vibe.

Another idea is to use a framed template, where you can upload your photo into a frame on the invitation. This allows you to include a picture while still leaving space for the wedding details. You can also opt for a template that includes space for multiple photos, creating a collage effect. This is ideal if you have several pictures you want to include. However, be mindful not to clutter the invitation or distract from the important information.

If you want to include a photo but maintain a more formal and traditional look, consider placing the photo on the back of the invitation or as part of a separate insert. This way, you can showcase your picture while keeping the main invitation focused on the essential details.

Additionally, you can get creative with photo placement by using die-cut shapes, overlays, polaroid-style borders, or arranging photos in a filmstrip or collage layout. These options add a unique and personalised touch to your invitations.

Remember, the key is to choose a photo that reflects your personality and style while also considering the overall aesthetic and tone of your wedding.

Frequently asked questions