A finely decorated wedding altar. Tables furnished with flowers and candles. Guest books and place cards. What do all of these have in common?
That’s right: you’ll notice them on just about every wedding, as well as the photos.
While there’s nothing wrong with these, there are small details that are often overlooked yet can make a huge difference in your wedding album. They are affordable, easy to obtain or even DIY!
Before we lay them out in this article, let’s make one thing clear. We’re not advising you to do the photographer’s job and guide them through the process instead of vice versa. However, you may want to make these suggestions and see how they fit into their plan.
And if you’re planning to not hire a professional photographer but have an amateur friend do it for you, these may turn out to be priceless!
Keepsake Boxes for Guests
These charming boxes were made with wedding couples (or any other gift-receiver) in mind.
Well, you can also use them for guests! Better yet, you can have them made for you, with each guest’s name engraved, instead of ordering ready-made ones. Each little box can contain a handwritten note as well as small but meaningful items that hold shared personal significance!
Most relevant for our topic, you can arrange these boxes on a welcome table at the entrance, so that everyone can find their own. But not before you’ve done a photo shoot! Not only are these boxes touchingly thoughtful for your guests, but they can also look excellent on still-life wedding photos.
Cake Hanging from a Tree
You can either set up a sturdy frame, or choose a hardy and stable tree branch to suspend the cake from it. Even if it’s not a completely unique idea, it’s surprising that not many couples opt for it!
Needless to say, it’s especially attractive (and unexpected!) in a completely natural milieu. Especially if you use roped to hang it on! It can have edible flower decorations. But most importantly, it can serve as a focal point for many a beautiful photo!
Umbrellas Aren’t Just Practical
The fact is, an outdoor wedding needs to be weatherproof. But that’s not the only reason why you need umbrellas, and lots of them. At least one for every 5 guests!
Clear umbrellas are one option, especially if there’s a good chance it will rain. They make for amazing photos even when it’s cloudy or overcast!
If you’re a fan of colors, you can either choose them randomly or strategically. Whatever your pick, they’ll make great props for playful group shots.
If you’re living in a sunny area with next to zero chances of rain, you can use parasols! Whatever their style, they will look even more charming. Best of all, you don’t need thousands of dollars for historically themed parasols. You can make them from paper! Here’s the simplest idea if you’re not very crafty. Of course, don’t expect them to be very sturdy. That’s not the point! All they need is to add a touch of creativity and flamboyance to your photos.
Ideas are literally endless! You can hang umbrellas or parasols upside down from the ceiling or place them in a photo booth for your guests to use. Kids will be delighted!
What’s Under Your Feet Matters Too
It’s called a dancing floor alright, but it’s not there just for dancing—especially if you choose it wisely!
At night, good lighting can go a long way to provide powerful and attractive backdrop to the floor itself, especially if the latter is a bit reflective. But that’s not all your flooring has to offer. You can also install spotlights or uplighting to add drama to the photography! This will be especially effective if you have good dancers for things like tango.
If you’re not a fan of light shows, you can pepper confetti or flower petals all across the floor, either throughout the wedding or just for key moments such as first dance.
Finally, if that’s in line with the theme, decorative rugs can add a bohemian touch to the composition!
DIY Table Runners
This idea is our personal favorite for two reasons. First, it can be customized in any way you please, depending on your theme and personal preferences. Second, it can reflect your personality if you DIY it!
If you knit or crochet, there’s your next big project for the months until the wedding reception. But you can also use lace, make simple macramé knots or use burlap for a rustic setting. If these sound too complicated, even kraft paper will do, on which your guests can doodle or write messages!
For a forest or park wedding, moss can be ideal. You’re having a beach reception? Get cacti or citruses!