A Definitive Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Invitation Suite Flat Lays
As a fine art wedding photographer, I believe every love story is a masterpiece, and every detail of your day deserves to be showcased like art—especially your wedding invitation suite. These tangible pieces are the first impression of your celebration, setting the tone for your guests and offering a glimpse into your aesthetic and love story.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing countless invitation suites that were not only gorgeous but also deeply personal. From timeless letterpress to bespoke watercolor designs, each one told a story that became the perfect centerpiece for an unforgettable flat lay.
In this post, I want to share some of my favorite wedding invitation suite flat lay designs and offer insight into how I bring these heirloom-worthy details to life through my lens.
Why I Love Photographing Flat Lays
Flat lays are a marriage of storytelling and artistry. These curated compositions incorporate the details you’ve lovingly chosen, such as invitations, save-the-dates, vow books, and other keepsakes. It’s also an opportunity to include personal touches—like heirloom jewelry, custom wax seals, vintage stamps, or meaningful florals—to tie everything together. The way I photograph the details sets the tone for the ultimate wedding gallery.
The key to creating stunning flat lays lies in intentionality: balancing textures, colors, and layers to create an image that not only showcases the details but also evokes the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Whether captured digitally, on vintage film, or with a touch of aerial drama via a drone (yes, I do that!), the results are works of art. The importance is in the intention and provided the details and time to capture these special moments.
Some of My Favorite Wedding Invitation Suite Flat Lays
1. Springtime in Tuscany
I adored styling this detail flat lay in the heart of Tuscany for Katie and Carlos’ beautiful wedding. Think soft pastel tones, deckled edges, and floral watercolor motifs. This suite paired beautifully with silk ribbons, olives straight from the surrounding orchard, and bold rust and burgundy florals. I especially loved incorporating their specific details to make their wedding invitation unique.
2. Dramatic Renaissance Festival Wedding
For one unforgettable bespoke wedding, the invitation suite was a study in vibrancy with a bold jewel-toned invitation suite, gold foil accents, and heavy card stock. I styled the suite with an array of bold unique florals, fruits and a rich evergreen backdrop. It was so important for me to capture this invitation suite with all the time and care afforded especially because the bride herself designed the suite.
3. Private Estate Heirloom Wedding
Alex and Colby’s wedding design focused heavily on antique floral colors and a timeless off-white invitation suite. There were literal antique hydrangeas draping from the tables of the reception. So the invitation suite had to represent opulence and timelessness.
4. Jewel Toned New Orleans Omni Royal Wedding
Think rich fruits and florals with a bold New Orleans backdrop. My bride was an incredibly talented painter so we let the bold colors of her wedding shine through the wedding details.
5. Classic New Orleans French Quarter Wedding with a Twist
Mattie & Kai’s wedding had details that I will dream of for years to come. Mattie is an incredibly talented artist in her own right so she pulled out all the stops with her wedding details from the suite to the champagne bottle to everything in between. We really allowed for her details to take center stage in this wedding soon to be on the cover of Style Me Pretty.
My Styling Approach
When I approach a flat lay, I start by considering your color palette, wedding theme, and any elements that are meaningful to you as a couple. This discussion can begin very early on in the booking process to begin my curation. This is also why I request being part of the design discussion or added to Pinterest Boards. I collaborate closely with planners, floral designers, stationers and my couple to ensure that no detail is overlooked, from the perfect wax seals to carefully chosen florals that complement the design.
To elevate your flat lay, I love weaving in:
– Heirloom Items: Family jewelry, antique pieces, or custom vow books
– Florals & Greenery: To mirror your wedding flowers and add natural movement
– Textures: Silk ribbons, lace, velvet ring boxes, or ceramic dishes
– Accents: Vintage stamps, sealing wax, or meaningful objects
On the day of your wedding, or the days leading to your wedding if it is a multi day wedding, I arrive to your suite a few hours prior to makeup being complete to photograph your flat lay. A box is provided with all invitations and details for me to curate and photograph.
Preserving the Beauty
Photographing your invitation suite as part of your wedding gallery means that these cherished paper goods are no longer fleeting—they’re preserved forever as part of your visual story. Whether you display your flat lay image in your album or frame it as art, it becomes an enduring symbol of your wedding day.
So when dreaming up your wedding details, don’t overlook the magic of an invitation suite that truly represents your style and story.
For couples planning their wedding or curating their details, I’d love to be part of your journey! Feel free to reach out, and let’s create stunning memories together.
Tips & Tricks for Couples AND Planners
Your wedding invitation suite flat lay embodies your wedding day so make it represent YOU!
- There should be two copies of the wedding invitation suite provided in the details box. This ensures that the front and backs of stationary are photographed. Have one envelope be addressed and stamped as well.
- Floral designers often times do not know to provide loose stems unless it is included in the pricing. Additional loose stems can be upwards of $100 but as you can see from the photographs, absolutely packs a punch when done correctly.
- Planners: Since it takes me hours to photograph details the morning of the wedding, loose stems need to be provided to me a minimum of three hours prior to when florals (bouquets and such) typically arrive to the bridal suite.
- Don’t know what to request? Copy and paste this to your floral designer: “Please provide an additional $# of florals for flat lay detail photographs that include my showcase florals, large and small secondary florals and greenery that represent the floral design of the wedding day.” I am heartbroken when I notice a dramatic orchid or showcase floral that was not provided in details that would have otherwise made the moment pop.
- Here is a list of details that could be provided in the details box:
- Rings & all other jewelry that will be worn on the wedding day
- Florals, boutonnieres, bouquets, flower girl crowns
- Cufflinks
- Jewels that are going in hair
- Veil
- Shoes
- Perfume & Cologne
- Vow books and hand written letters
- Any stationary including cups, koozies, napkins and cocktail stirrers
I Have a Minimalist Design
If florals do not showcase heavily in your wedding design I love photographing minimalist details as well! Letting the details shine without florals is another beautiful way to preserve your details for decades to come.
I love how sleek and modern these minimalist designs are for these beautiful brides.
Invitation Suites Not Your Thing?
This can be incredibly special for some but not for all! And that is OKAY! Many of my incredible clients want their details preserved but showcased differently. If that is the case just let me know and I go a more non traditional route. Some of my absolute favorites are placing your shoes in various areas or photographing an afterparty detail on film!
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