22 Creative Ways to Display Photos at Your Wedding

April 28, 2015
Credit: Michelle Beller Photography

Add a little nostalgia to your nuptials with these sentimental ideas.

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Credit: Michelle Beller Photography

Displaying photos at your wedding is not only a fun way to honor the past while celebrating your future, but it's also an easy and affordable form of wedding décor. More often than not, you can display your favorite family photos all on your own thanks to a handy big-day DIY project.

There are so many ways to personalize a photo display for your wedding. Take the rustic route and pin pictures onto a string of twine. Throwing a vintage-inspired affair? Try framing multiple generations of black-and-white family wedding photos. Or opt for something totally off the beaten path: Wear these photos around your neck (inside of a precious locket) or top your cake with photo cut-outs. Wedding photos can work as favors, too. For a meaningful keepsake, Karina Puente created these one-of-a-kind charcoal drawings of each guest at this couple's wedding.

If you want to show off a photo series that tells the story of your relationship—and paints your guests a clearer picture of how you met, fell in love, and got engaged—consider adding a legacy element by also displaying photos from your parents' or grandparents' weddings. The further back you go, the more you and your guests will feel embedded into your family history. To inspire your own display, we've rounded up several options that are easy enough to copy or make your own. Whether you want to bring family photographs to the forefront of your celebration or showcase a selection of snapshots of you and your soon-to-be spouse, friends, or even pets, these ideas will make your wedding one to remember.

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Ceremony Programs

Credit: The Edges
Unique Ceremony Program Ideas We Love

We love how this couple commemorated the family marriages that came before theirs: They asked their stationer to print photos of each generation's newlyweds onto the back of their ceremony programs with a brief description of how they fell in love.

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Wooden Photo Wall

Credit: April Maura Photography

This display proves your favorite song isn't just for the first dance: The couple incorporated the lyrisc from the Beatle's "All You Need Is Love" on their photo backdrop.

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Table Numbers

Credit: Samantha Jay Photography
Unique Wedding Table Numbers

Get creative with your table numbers and replace standard numeric options with childhood photos of each of you at the associated age.

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Lining Pin

Credit: Shea Christine

Pin photos of your relatives into the lining of your tuxedo (or dress!) for a hidden homage to your loved ones.

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Seating Chart

Credit: Ryan Ray Photography
Unique Wedding Seating Charts to Guide Guests to Their Tables

A seating chart is a unique way to present your meaningful pictures. Elise Events helped guests to their seats by making this display, which paired each attendee's photo with his or her table number.

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Chair Décor

Credit: This Love of Yours Photography
Pretty Ways to Decorate Your Wedding Chairs

Baby photos are a great way to mark your spot at the head table.

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Hanging Bouquet Charms

Credit: Belle and Beau Fine Art Photography

Tie pictures of your relatives to your bouquet wrap as a way to celebrate your bond. This bride brought two photos of her grandparents down the aisle on her big day.

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Hoop Display

Credit: Cori Kleckner Photography
28 Beautiful Engagement Photo Ideas

If you had engagement portraits taken, you'll want to show off the results on the big day. Engagement photos of the bride and groom were secured with white ribbon and displayed in a metal hoop for this modern piece.

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Sentimental Set Up

Credit: Valorie Darling Photography

Think beyond a photo wall when brainstorming ways to display family photos. For meaningful décor, this bride had her grandmother's piano brought to her venue where it was draped with eucalyptus, greenery, and photos of the couple's grandparents and parents.

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Boutonnière Photo

Credit: Caroline Ross Photography

Boutonnières get a sweet upgrade when you add a photo of your loved ones to them, as evidenced by this groom's lapel accent.

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Swizzle Sticks

Credit: Edward Winter / READYLUCK

Take notes from this crafty bride and embellish your signature drinks with sentimental swizzle sticks.

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Guest Book Display

Credit: Olivia Griffin
46 Guest Books from Real Weddings

Want to give guests a glimpse at the weddings of your family's past? Make like this couple, who set up old family photos near their guest book station.

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Heart Shaped Photo

Credit: Heidi Ryder Photography

Nothing says love like a heart-shaped frame—this groom found a small iteration that went perfectly with his boutonnière—to place photos of your family members inside.

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Family Tree

Credit: Rochelle Cheever

Wrap Polaroids around a nearby tree with twine for an unexpected twist on the phrase "family tree."

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Bouquet Locket

Credit: Scott Andrew Studio
Wedding Bouquet Wraps We Love

A family heirloom, like this bride's locket, which she wrapped around her bouquet, is the perfect way to wear or display a special image on the big day.

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Black-and-White Photo Wall

Credit: N Barrett Photography

A wall in your reception space is the perfect blank canvas for your family photos.

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Heirloom Guest Book

Credit: Amy Arrington Photography

If possible, use a family heirloom for your big day guestbook—this one belonged to the bride's grandparents.

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Single Photo

Credit: Kate Headley
6 Ways to Honor Loved Ones Who Are Unable to Attend Your Wedding

Honor a late family member with a single photo pinned to your bouquet wrap.

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Family Wedding Photos

Credit: Anagram Photo
Here's How to Include Friends and Family Members Who Aren't in the Bridal Party in Your Wedding Day

Create a one-of-a-kind display by using unexpected materials and, of course, your family photos. The mother of the bride spruced up the wall of this venue with off-white paper flowers and wedding pictures from both the bride and groom's family.

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Tree Display

Credit: Millie Holloman Photography

Show off your family history by pinning portraits of each family member to a tree.

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Bookshelf Photo Display

Credit: Mademoiselle Fiona

Prior to the big day, this couple asked their parents for old photos of the couples in each family. At the wedding, the pictures were framed and placed onto a bookshelf. "It was important for us to share where we came from and the love that's existed in our families for generations," said the bride. "It was also really touching to watch our guests, including our family members, look through them and enjoy the history and memories they brought."

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