Picture Frame Centerpiece?

[BlueKeet]

I have been trying to think of a suitable non-floral centerpiece. I have gone through so many ideas so I'm sure the thrill of this idea will wear off too. Anyhow, I found this picture frame at Target today and I think it might do the trick. The two triangles spin and it is actually quite fun to play with. It measures 12" x 7.5" so I don't think it will be in the way at the round tables of 8. It can either sit vertical or horizontal. I figured I could put the table name/number on there as well. It is $10 which is about as much as I'd want to spend - thus floral centerpieces are pretty much out of the question. The other thing I'd consider is having small live plants, but the picture frames would be so much easier to transport and a little more fun.

What would you think of this centerpiece if you were at the reception? It looks better in person.

 

[Pandora II]

It really depends on your venue and the look that you are after - you also want to think about size - will your guests be able to see over it? Or is it small enough that it could look too small?


I''m doing big bowls of exotic fruit as my centrepieces to tie in with the orange/gold colour scheme and save some $$ without losing impact.

 

[sunnyd]

i like that idea! like pandora though, i would wonder if the guests would be able to see over it. but you mentioned turning it on it''s side also, and the guests could do that if they needed to.

would you put the same pictures at each table? if you put different ones in, it could be a cool way to chronicle the relationship for out of towners, make people mingle...me likey!

 

[BlueKeet]

I prefer it on its side, so it would be 7 1/2" high. I have been to weddings where I have had to talk around the centerpiece so I definitely want something short unless I put the frames on other tables. The fruit bowls are a nice idea too. We have a couple ideas for table name themes and we should be able to come up with 5 pictures to relate to each name regardless of which theme we go with.

The reception is at The Cheesecake Factory - they have a banquet room upstairs. This picture is from the Here Comes the Guide website...Looking at the picture brown might be better than black for the frames. I was going for black, white and red wedding colors although they don't really go with either the ceremony or reception venue.

 

[mimzy]

i think it''s a really nice frame. a couple of things

- make sure you have enough photos that you like that all face the same way (vertical or horizontal) because it might be sorta funny looking if half the pictures were sideways.

- do you care that it won''t actually be the centerpiece for most of the nite? even if it starts out in the center of the table it definitely won''t stay there long because people will be passing it around, etc and then most likely plop it down wherever on the table.

- were you going to have something around it? candles or anything? because i think it might look a little ''plunked down'' if it is just sitting there by itself. more of a novelty than a decor piece that is supposed to look nice.

i don''t know. even though those are really nice frames i think i would go for the plant. my stepbrother and his now-wife framed pictures of themselves as little kids and put them on each table with a number (the ones of her went on her family''s tables and vice verse). it turned out really cute.

but then again, if you think the frames will fit nicely with the rest of your decor and the ambiance of the hall, then go for it!

 

[door knob solitaire]

I think it is a fabulous idea.

Not sure if you were planning to do this...but I see the album filled with photos of the two of you as wee tots. You in the cradle and he in his high chair...You and your tricycle and he on his big wheel...you in ballet slippers and he with his football...you at Christmas and a holiday shot of him...so every flip tells a story of where you were in relation to where he was. I would find that most adorable. And you could do this economically by using black and white copies on photo mode...the black and white would be complimentary to your color scheme.

Have you seen that engagement photo used here often....I think the couple is and the image is black and white, but they are in front of an old English style red phone booth and the phone booth is red? Again everything else is black and white...and that one red thing just pops out at you! Well, that is what I would do with you photo copies. I would take one thing in each or some of the images and color it red with a translucent type color. It may be a bow in your hair, or a ball he is holding or a flower in a vase in an image. Something to add some interest and tie your color scheme all together. Simple and minimal...but a pop of color.

I really thing I love this plan so much I might use it for a party.

DKS

 

[BlueKeet]

Ok, here is the actual frame with some pictures I found laying around. If people pick up the frames, spin them around and talk to each other about them I would be thrilled. I''d much prefer something they''ll interact with rather than just admire. Is there anything you recommend to keep the guests busy? I thought a deck of trivial pursuit cards on the table could help those who don''t know each other that well.

It fits 4x6 pictures and I have several months to hunt them down or take them. Thank you for the tips and things to lookout for. I''ll stick it on my table for a while and see if I still like it later (preferably before Target sells out).

DKS - I love the photo ideas. The B&W with red would be lovely. I hadn''t really decided if I wanted to use photos of us, but the accent color would work with anything.

Would you rather see pictures of the couple or something else that is somewhat interesting?

 

[chinglish]

I think this is a great idea!

It would be great if you have the time to include past pictures of you and the table''s guests into the centerpiece album - so each table''s guests have more to reminise about and remind them of how they are important in sharing the day with you. The guests would have more chance to open up and talk to each other and explain where that shot was taken etc.

That''s what we''re hoping to do with individual frames for each of our guests!
Hopefully I can find a past picture of either me and the guest or FI and the guest by next year!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Yes I would prefer to see photos of the couple. If there were a few of each family as a group say years ago...that would also be fun.

I went to a wedding that featured a video of the couple. It was stills and video of each as they were children and as they grew up. They spoke over some of the images and explained the scene for interest. There wasn''t a dry eye in the house.

By all means...you make it about you two. It is your union...how your lives came together...that brings everyone to share in your celebration!

DKS-love the frame. It is modern and clean yet fun and youthful!

 

[saltymuffin]

It MUST have pictures of the two of you in it!!

It looks like the frame holds 6 pictures (3 each triangle). I would set it up like this:

Triangle 1:
Table # and two pics of you as a girl/baby/graduating whatever

Triangle 2:
A picture of the two of you - say an engagement photo, this would be the same at every table. And two pics of FI at a younger age.

The 4 pics of each of you would be different at every table. That way as people travel around the room they can see different pictures.

 

[HollyS]

I gotta say -- not loving it. The concept is a good one . . . a picture frame as centerpiece . . . but this one isn't working for me.

I just had a thought: If cost of floral centerpieces is the factor here, how about a larger grouping of candles (think variety of sizes on a tray) and small frames in front of every place setting with pictures of the couple. Or, same idea executed with a hurricane globe over a fairly large pillar candle. Low cost, but high impact. Any of what I just mentioned is available at your local Hobby Lobby (assuming you have a HL) at very nice prices. Or if you truly want frames in the middle, two back-to-back 5x7 frames, with votives all around might be unusual and interesting. If I were going to do that, I would choose two slightly ornate or otherwise very distinctive frames with the velvet backs. You know . . . this would be especially cool if a photo of your/his parents were in one frame, and you two were in the other. Hmmm. . .maybe his parents and your parents in their wedding portraits instead of photos of you guys . . . ?

My thoughts on the frame you were considering are the same as others have expressed. I think the frames will be picked up and not replaced where you want them. And, to me, they look a little too casual . . . unless, of course, you are having a casual affair.

 

[BlueKeet]

Well, the frames are a done deal as I just finished collecting enough for the tables. Pretty centerpieces aren''t a necessity and I''d probably skip centerpieces altogether, but with the need for table numbers this covers something interesting in the middle and a number. We will have candles on the table too. I could scatter some rose petals if it looks empty, but I think we are going to end up squeezing the max settings per table so there won''t be much room. I actually like that they are one complete piece. I did search for pictures of frames as centerpieces at other weddings and I liked how they turned out. I have a thing for picture frames though. As for moving them around that is great as long as everyone has found their seats first. I can always put a card on the table as a backup table number.

HollyS thanks for your honesty I''m sure others agree with you as it isn''t the most elegant choice. I doubt everyone will like them, but as long as most people don''t think how tacky I''ll be fine with it. Actually, the few people I expect this from will probably pick apart whatever I do so I''m going to try to ignore that part.
I''m actually looking forward to going through all my old photos and finally seeing my FI''s childhood pictures. I did already decide one frame will be wedding or early pictures of our parents and grandparents. With 3 pictures on each triangle it will be perfect. I''m going to try to have photos of us with as many of the guests in them as I can. Should be a good challenge! I read where someone tied the table numbers to the ages of the couple in the pictures that sounded fun too. Plenty of options.

Thanks again everyone for the feedback. I''m sure I''ll need help again in the future.

 

[chinglish]

Yay, I''m happy you''re doing these - it will be entertaining for your guests, functional and most importantly, reflecting your personality! I love going through old albums too, have fun!

 

[HollyS]

I don''t think they''ll look tacky at all! And, I think your guests will have a lot of fun looking at the pictures.

As always, do exactly what YOU like, and to heck with whatever anybody else thinks. I think with some votives and the rose petals you mentioned, it will be elegant enough for the snobs, and will probably look pretty cool. It''s certainly unique, and that, in the words of Martha Stewart, is "a good thing".