Use pictures as background on your table numbers
There are many ways to personalize a wedding. One very popular idea is to use pictures as part of your wedding décor. Most couples find that using pictures as focal points at their wedding and reception will not only make their “wedding-scape” truly one of a kind, but really helps break the ice between guests. Pictures bring back fond memories for guests to share with one another, relieving that awkward silence between people that only have the bride and groom as their common denominator. And the cherry on top of this idea? This couldn’t be a more budget friendly idea; you have the pictures and even if you buy new frames, you can use them for your home décor after the wedding. Personal, budget and green friendly; how much better can a decorating idea get? Here are a few ways to incorporate pictures in your celebration:
Show off your parents' cake cutting pictures on your cake table
Guest book – Instead of a traditional guest book, have your guests sign the matting that surrounds your engagement portrait.
Altar pictures- Place small pictures of your dearly departed, (or those who cannot attend your wedding), on the unity candle, communion or ceremony table.
Personal jewelry –A locket with your beloved’s picture in it is a nice accessory to wear when you say, “I do”.
Reception entrance – Display pictures at the entryway of your reception, either on stand-alone easels or on your placecard table.
Tabletop centerpieces – Set three or four pictures of various sizes on each dining table. Make sure you include baby pictures and those awkward pre-teen pix as well as recent couple shots of the two of you in the mix. Add votive candles and scatter flower petals, some decorative stones, crystals, or mirror discs around the pictures and you have yourself some great conversation pieces. People will walk around to see what pictures are featured at each table. 
Head table –A framed picture of each attendant (hopefully you are in the picture with them as well) at their place-setting is a very special way to designate who sits where at the head table.
Cake table- Flank your wedding cake with pictures of your parents and grandparents cutting their wedding cake.
Entertainment – Many photographers and videographers have the ability to produce and present a video or slide show of your love story. If you or friends are on the creative side, try it DIY style and have your masterpiece shown at your reception. 
Last but not least, be sure to include a picture from the wedding in your thank you cards. From beginning to the end, pictures can add so much to your wedding experience.
Question for our Experienced Brides: How did you use pictures in your wedding decor? Brides2Be want to know!
Tags: brides know best, budget wedding decorations, Budget Weddings, DIY Wedding Decorations, DIY Weddings, do it yourself wedding decorations, Personalized Weddings
I am laughing as I read this because you left out an idea that you did for my wedding (you are the best coordinator of the century!)
At my wedding you had us collect all our unframed pictures and then you made a collage of them on our place-card table. Then you placed a transparent layer of plastic over them (didn’t you get that at a hardware store?) And then you placed the placecards on top of the plastic. I think more people talked about our entry table than anything else – it was such a brilliant idea!
OOOOOPS! I did forget to add that! It is one of my favorite ways to use pictures. I often place a collage of pictures on a cake table and then I place plastic or a glass top over the pictures and then place the cake on top. It is a great conversation piece and again, so inexpensive to do!
And Lily… you were one of my favorite brides of the century!
We sent save-the-date cards out with our pictures on them and then at our wedding we rented a photo booth and then hung pictures that everyone took on a fish line with these pearl hair clips I found at Wal-mart. We situated the swags of picture behind the gift table but very low so everyone could see them. It was great fun! It was my aunt’s idea and she managed it during the reception. It was kind of nice for her to have something to do because she is a widow and always feels lonely at weddings.
I am so glad you added your great idea! I like to add beautiful ribbon or cystals dangling down the fishline about every 6 inches so there are a few pictures, then some pearls (or crystals or ribbon, etc.). It can be a beautiful display! I have also hung photo-booth pictures on a Christmas tree for Christmas Weddings.