You put a lot of thought into your engagement photos: where to go, what to wear, who your photographer will be. And for most couples, this photo session is the first time you’re having a professional portrait done of you and your to-be. Engagement photos give you a chance to feel comfortable in front of the camera, to feel confident in your wedding photographer, and they give you beautiful pictures to treasure.
Here’s how to showcase them for years to come.
Create a holiday card
Post-wedding, you will probably opt for a wedding photo to display on your holiday card. But if your wedding falls after the holidays, or you want to mix it up, using your engagement photos here is a great way to showcase them to your family and friends. Plus, having a picture of the two of you up on their refrigerator is a surefire way to get them excited for your “I do’s.”
Make a coffee table book
There’s truly nothing like having a tangible photo album for you and your guests to flip through. You’re likely to create an album with wedding photos, so for your engagement photos, put them together in a smaller-sized book (you can even do it yourself on sites like Shutterfly). It will be a nice memento for future generations to look at.
Display them at your wedding
“There are lots of great way to showcase your engagement photos on the day of your wedding,” says Adam Gilbert, creative director for Blueberry Creative. “My personal favorite is to use the images to create a custom guestbook that your friends and family can flip through and write sweet messages to the two of you. I’m a big proponent of all-things-tangible, so to have an additional wedding album coupled with the loving words of your wedding guests is a win-win!”
Gift them to your parents & grandparents
While everyone is sure to love your engagement photos, it’s your parents and grandparents who will treasure them the most. Consider creating a photo album for them or printing out their favorite and framing it in a beautiful frame. You can also use these as gifts for the actual wedding day!
Use them as home decor
Your home is a great place to showcase your favorite photos. Frame a few around your house or get creative: “Other great options for highlighting your engagement photos include gallery wrap canvases and matted fine art prints to display in your home,” says Adam Gilbert.
Hello Blue Photo
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.