Low-Cost Video Memory Idea For Wedding Receptions

One of the bigger trends in receptions is to display pictures and videos of the happy couple.  Typically, these are a variety of different photos, ranging from those of the bride and groom as children, through their childhood, into their dating relationship and up to the wedding.  They are typically in a slide show format and set to music, and most often they are projected onto a large screen through a high-tech (and expensive) projector.

When cutting costs for a wedding and reception, this might be one area that is considered an “extra” and not worth the expense.  However, it is easy (and much cheaper) to come up with a couple of alternatives to the professional slide show.

1.  Consider framed photos of the couple, and display them around the reception area.  Place photos in different areas: the cake table, the guest book table, the gift table, in windows and on shelves.  Include a variety of photos in each display, from childhood and adulthood, together and individual.  Using photos that already exist and frames that the families already have can be a no-cost way to create this kind of presentation.  Even if the photos are too small for the existing frames, consider mounting them temporarily on black construction paper (or a coordinating color) to offset the size difference.

2.  Create your own slide show, thanks to PowerPoint and other presentation programs.  It may take some time, but this is another inexpensive to free way to create the same product that a professional might create.  And, with a presentation program, you can include transitions and sound as well.  The only thing that might be missing from such a presentation is the large-screen projection.  However, creating a slide show and showing it on a remote laptop on, say, the guest book table, guests can view it as they enter the reception and return to view it at their leisure.  And, it gives everyone a chance to visit and mingle without feeling like they are interrupting a video presentation.

Use the resources you have to create the effects you want at your own reception.  There are many ways to inexpensively get the details you want…use your creativity!