INVITATION SUITE AND WEDDING FLATLAY DETAILS
Details for the perfect wedding flatlayThere are about a million different ways to customize, enhance, and beautify your wedding flatlay photos. There are some basics and must-haves, as well as some more detailed options.
Sometimes the person creating your invitation suite will provide you with a design that features every aspect of the suite. If they do, be sure to send it to your photographer as a starting point. I love Allison’s work at Studio Ack (featured here) and she always provides this.
That is something to consider as you start planning your invitation suite, as well as the many other customizations you can make. Here are some of the ways you can make it your own. Photo examples are shown after.
Envelope Liners
- Purpose: You’ll want to find ways to include color in the flatlay. An envelope liner is an easy way to do that. It’s also the perfect opportunity to add a little personalization (I’ll be mentioning this a lot here!).
- Details: Custom liners that match the wedding theme or colors, often featuring patterns, florals, or artwork.
Textured Paper
- Purpose: I like stationery with both a tactile element and visual interest. Textured paper does this well, while also relaxing a photo that otherwise feels a bit too strict, sharp, or formal.
- Details: Use handmade paper, linen, or cotton rag paper for the invitations and envelopes.
Calligraphy
- Purpose: Adds a touch of humanness and elegance to the look.
- Details: Handwritten calligraphy for names, addresses, or quotes on the invitation or envelope. You can also include them on escort cards, place cards, and menus. For the envelope used in the flatlay, I suggest using a fake name and address.
Custom Illustrations
- Purpose: Illustrations add a unique and personalized touch. You can use them to show off your venue or even just add a pop of color.
- Details: My favorite illustration that I’ve seen was a watercolor painting of the venue that was printed onto the envelope liners. But illustrations can be more simple, like a custom monogram, stamp on the envelope, or even a stencil or outline. I’ve photographed some invitations with watercolor art by Melissa Rothman, and she is definitely a fan favorite if you need someone.
Foil Stamping and Edges
- Purpose: I love foil stamping. It adds a texture and glow to the invitations. I’ve always been a sucker for a touch of gold and it feels like a little bit of luxury in every corner.
- Details: Gold, silver, or colored foil can be used for text or decorative elements on the invitation. Deckled edges also add some life and personality to the invitation suite.
Letterpress Printing and Blind Debossing
- Purpose: This is another way to add texture and a subtle intricacy. If you want a little more detail but already have enough color, blind debossing can add just the right amount of flair.
- Details: Deep impressions in the paper create a tactile and visual impact. Two plates are pressed (one with ink) if you want to include coloring, or you can opt for ink-free if you want something more sleek.
Vellum Overlays and Belly Bands
- Purpose: Overlays and bands hold the invitation suite together and add an ethereal and delicate layer.
- Details: Translucent vellum wraps printed with designs or text and placed over the invitation suite. Belly bands are similar to vellum wraps but are limited to just the center.
Die Cut Shapes
- Purpose: Die cut stationery adds a custom and unique look. I like to use these as a backdrop for more visually simple aspects of the suite, or it can serve as the main feature of the invitation.
- Details: Invitations or inserts are cut into unique shapes that match the wedding theme or something personal to you. I’m a mountain lover, so die cut stationery with mountains stacked on each other might be favorite thing in the world.
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Envelope Liner, Vintage Stamps, Letterpress & Blind Debossing
Invitation with Green Letterpress
Wording & Blind Debossing around Border
Envelope Liner, Die Cut Shapes,
Watercolor Border, Vintage Stamps, Ribbon, and Wax Seal
Envelope Liner, Die Cut Shapes,
Watercolor Border by Melissa Rothman
Gold Foil Pressed Lettering on a Die Cut Background
Paper with Custom Skyline Illustration
Florals are one of the most important aspects of your wedding flatlay.
It takes a lot to make up for a lack of florals, and having florals makes up for a lack of almost anything. If your florist won’t be there before your photographer does the flatlay, then I suggest having someone pick them up early for you. Either way, you will need dedicated flatlay florals (I don’t want to pull apart the bouquets or decor your florist worked so hard on).
**The best thing you can do is provide me at least 10-15 full and high quality flowers that I can remove the stem from to make them lay flat. These could be from your florist, or even from your own garden. Tyler actually grew these Dahlias for me in our yard!
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The Other Details
The smallest things have the biggest impact. A flatlay can feature all of the pieces of your wedding that might otherwise go unnoticed.
These are some of the most common and recommended items that you can include, but don’t be afraid to add something weird, funny, or sentimental.
The Rings and Ring Boxes
- Purpose: The rings are…you know…the rings! They symbolize your commitment to each other and are a focal point for detail photos. A ring box is there to help with the presentation of the rings. It also provides a —I’m sensing a pattern here— pop of color.
- Details: Both the engagement ring and both wedding bands should be provided. This is especially important to remember if you and your partner are getting ready at different places. For the ring box I have a standard white velvet one you’ll see in these photos. But if you want something different or special, I highly suggest checking out The Mrs. Box.
Bridal Accessories
- Purpose: Highlight your details and personal style. Your accessories help to tell the story of the day and this is our chance to focus on smaller details that might otherwise be relatively unseen.
- Details: Earrings, necklace, bracelet, other jewelry, hairpieces, perfume, etc.
Groom Accessories
- Purpose: Complement your partner’s accessories and provide balance. Sometimes Tyler will create his own mini flatlay with the groom’s accessories. But remember: If you want these in the main flatlay, they need to be included in that box!
- Details: Cufflinks, tie or bowtie, watch, belt, boutonniere, cologne, socks, pocket square, etc. We’ve also had grooms include whiskey or bourbon if they have a special or celebratory bottle.
Shoes
- Purpose: Shoes are so often hidden under the dress and go unseen and unappreciated. The flatlay is the perfect place to show them off.
- Details: If you want your shoes featured, I would suggest not wearing them before the big day (or have a backup pair). Scuffs and footprints give character, but if you want clean and sleek I’d keep them in the box for now.
Vow Books
- Purpose: Vows are such a big part of the wedding day, and it’s great to involve them in the flatlay. It adds personal and sentimental elements, and there are some gorgeous styled vow books that really elevate the look of the flatlay.
- Details: Handwritten vows or beautifully designed vow books.
Ribbon and Fabric
- Purpose: Adds a tactile element and ties the suite together (literally!)
- Details: Silk ribbons, velvet, lace, or linen that match the wedding colors. I have a lot of ribbon, but if you have a must-have color you should include it with your details.
Keepsakes and Heirlooms
- Purpose: Personal significance and story-telling.
- Details: Family jewelry, vintage handkerchiefs, locket, or other meaningful items. If you found a penny on your first date or have a ticket stub for the museum he proposed at let me know and we’ll include it.
Vintage Stamps
- Purpose: Adds character and honestly is just kind of really cool.
- Details: Maybe it’s the part of me that collects records and kept my flip phone until 2022, but I think vintage stamps are so cool. They are also great to help fill some empty space in the flatlay.
Wax Seals
- Purpose: You can’t go wrong with a classic. Wax seals add a touch of elegance and are a fun decorative element. I also think a monogram is a great opportunity to present yourselves as “one”. I like to include a few loose seals, along with the metal stamp if you have it.
- Details: Custom wax seals with monograms can be used to seal the envelope for the invitation suite. If you plan to have the same last name, you can easily buy a premade stamp with the first initial on it. Custom stamps are also available and can continue to be used far beyond your wedding day.
The End of the Night Wedding Flatlay
Maybe the perfect styled flatlay isn’t you. That’s okay! There are plenty of ways to make a flatlay more personal. The end of the night flatlay is a quickly growing favorite.
You can show the life, the party, and the aftermath of your first night as a married couple.
A Few Final Tips:
- Make sure everything is collected in a bag or box before we get there. This includes all the rings! Remember that if it isn’t there, we can’t photograph it.
- Bring two copies of everything in your invitation suite. A lot of the invitation suite can and will be used multiple ways at the same time. This includes invitations, rsvp cards, envelopes, programs and schedules, wax seals, even the dinner menus.
- That said, I don’t always use every item provided, so be sure to let me know in the questionnaire if any of the things you provide are must-haves for the flatlay.
- Don’t forget the florals — Seriously this is huge. Scroll up to the flower section if you missed what you’ll need for them.
- Give us time. Crafting the perfect flatlay with all of these details takes a lot of time, so make sure you talk to your photographer about timelines and expectations!
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Do you want a photographer who genuinely cares about you, your story, your photos, and your day? Then we should talk! Don’t be shy, I love hearing all the details.
