I’m writing this post in the hopes that it will shed some light on a dilemma I’ve often encountered within the wedding industry: the request to create “just one” custom invitation suite for the photographer to style and shoot on the day of their bride’s wedding. I know this request comes with the best intentions (who doesn’t want lovely stationery in their wedding photos?)… but it’s a trend that can really devalue a stationer’s work.

Photographers and brides often reach out to me with the request for one suite… and unfortunately it’s not a service I’m offering right now, for a few reasons:

• A custom invitation design takes the same amount of time and skill for me to design, whether I print one copy or 100 copies. (Photographers: I’ve heard this compared to a photography client who wants a whole photo session for free… but they “only need one image!”)
• I value the investment my full-paying clients have made in choosing to work with me (a $2000+ value for the design fee alone, before printing). I stand behind the hard-earned skill and carefully invested time that it takes to produce a custom design; my clients also value that. They have invested their time and money in working with me to produce a one-of-a-kind suite. I won’t devalue their investment by giving away the same service at a discounted rate.
• Lastly… I truly value the heirloom aspect of the custom designs I create. I believe your invitations will represent your love story for a lifetime—that you (and your guests) will look at it and be reminded of the sacred vows exchanged on that most special day. It’s hard to imagine creating a pretend suite for photographs… a suite that wasn’t actually part of this couple’s sacred wedding day.

When I work with a bride a custom invitation design, we collaborate on distinctive details that make her suite personal, memorable, and unique to her love story. I think there’s a misconception that it’s somehow easier for us designers to create a bespoke suite if we “only print one”… but that’s simply not true. If it were about the number of print copies, you’d be asking a professional printer—not a professional designer.

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The heart of it all…

I understand the desire to have a beautifully crafted invitation suite for the wedding-day. As you know, I believe paper goods to be a tangible connection to the most special day of your life—an heirloom you will treasure for years to come. If you are able to prioritize investing in a custom invitation designer, I hope you’ll consider it: it can be an exquisite way to express your love story.

But, if you are unable to invest in custom invitation design, I hope you won’t fake it for the photos. 

Would you photograph a faux engagement ring because it looked better in photos? Of course not! Your engagement ring is a key representation of your love story… the moment you said yes to forever. In one year, or five years, or ten… you won’t want to look back at a wedding album featuring a pretend ring, no matter how stunning. You won’t want your grandchildren to look through wedding photos and see a ring that they don’t recognize from your own wrinkled hands.

Your wedding day is beautiful because it is the day you become husband and wife. I truly believe that. Any detail that played a role in bringing those sacred vows to life is worth remembering and preserving.

Be authentic.

Take photos of your real invitation suite—the words that invited your cherished loved ones to be part of your most special celebration. In my opinion, that’s what wedding photos are for: capturing your authentic love story.

No matter which invitations you choose to send (whether custom-designed, templated, or DIY-ed!)… please embrace authenticity. Take photos that capture the true essence of your love story—including your real invitations.

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As for my custom design clients…

Each of my brides bride will always receive a styled invitation set, dressed up for wedding-day photos! If we’ve collaborated on a distinctive design together, I certainly want it to be represented on your big day.

I’ll carefully package one of your custom-designed suites for wedding-day photos, with all the trimmings and embellishments: calligraphed envelopes, wax seals, and vintage stamps. Then I’ll mail the styled suite to the bride, or (if preferred) directly to the photographer, who may then style and photograph the suite whenever is convenient.

Your custom wedding invitation design is unique to your love story alone—representative of your special day. I hope it will be a detail you wish to preserve in your wedding-day photos!