Hello it’s Suzie from Lovely Day Pictures! I’ve been filming weddings for a couple of years now and I’m always amazed at the wonderful ideas couples come up with. Today I want to share a few of my favourite things I’ve seen at the real weddings I’ve filmed.

1 – Photo booths

OK, I know this isn’t a new concept, but it still deserves to be talked about. There are a lot of different ways to do a photo booth depending on your budget, but no matter which style you go for I can’t recommend them highly enough. They are loads of fun for the guests, you’ll get some great shots, the footage of the guests interacting with them makes for fantastic video, and they really don’t have to cost a lot but they add so much entertainment value.

2 – Pretty place cards

Place cards might seem like such a small part of your big day, but they can make a huge difference. I’ve seen couples use playing cards, keys, even customized clothes pegs! It’s a great way for guests to interact and feel involved in your wedding and they can double as a bonbonniere. They also look great in photos and video. It’s truly the small things that count.

3 – Alternative Guestbooks

There are a lot of ways you can inspire guests to get interactive with your guest book, my favourite tactic is to turn your guestbook into a decorative installation and let your guests play!

4 – Style your home

So I’m cheating a little with this one because it’s not an idea for your actual wedding event. But every now and then a couple will have fun decorating the location that they’re getting ready at. Balloons, flowers, streamers, bunting, anything goes! It makes for a really fun festive atmosphere while you’re getting ready and is great for photos and video.

5 – Make some signage

Custom signage makes a wedding so fun and suits a bunch of different styles and themes. Some couples go all out with signs pointing out where all the necessities are, but it’s also really fun to make one huge sign using your names or initials. Rustic is popular (think hand painted on wood) but you can try chalk boards, light-up cinema-style letters, have your initials dye cut, enlist a local artist to create a mural, there are so many great ideas out there. They look fantastic, personalize your wedding, and make for a memorable keepsake afterwards.

I hope you found some inspiration, if you’d like even more ideas have a look at my videos of real weddings.

Images by Lovely Day Pictures

Ms Gingham says: I love the sign! Hmmm… I can feel a diy project coming on!

About Lovely Day Pictures: Lovely Day Pictures creates beautiful, journalistic style wedding films. All films are unique, indie, fun and free of cliches. The studio is run by Suzie Haslam, a Melbourne based film maker who absolutely loves filming weddings.