Engagement pictures are a pretty typical practice for engaged couples, but their result isn't as typical. Sure a few pictures get sent to various relatives and a gorgeous print or two gets hung up on your walls, but then what?
An engaged couple might get anywhere from 30 to 100 pictures back from their engagement photographer. That's kind of overwhelming if you're just going to narrow it down to one or two.
In our case, Ryan and I were so in love with our engagement pictures that we started looking for more ways to use them. And we found a place for almost all of our favorites!
Here are some of my favorite ideas for using your engagement pictures:
Save the Date Cards - The most typical use of engagement photos.
Thank You Cards - Many people choose to wait and use a wedding photo for thank you cards, but if you want to get a jump start on writing yours, use an engagement photo!
Guest Book - This could be in the form of a photo album (leave plenty of space for guests to write!) or in a single print with a large mat for signing. You could even turn one of your photos into a puzzle and have guests sign the back of individual pieces.
Decoration - Scatter frames around a bridal shower or your cake table.
Seating Cards - Use individual seating cards to make up an enlarged engagement photo.
Table Numbers - Some couples actually take pictures holding numbered signs, one for each table, while others incorporate them into the design afterwards.
Customized Favors - Depending on the favor you choose, you could easily incorporate a photo into the favor's tag or label.
While I love all of these ideas, I certainly wouldn't recommend them all. Not together at least. Your face would be plastered all over everything. Your friends and family love you, but not that much.
Photos taken at our wedding by Rebecca Franklin Photography.
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