Video/slideshow for wedding?

Question

I'm considering a video or slide show of me and my FH for our wedding. Just pictures of us as children and then pics of us together (since we've met, etc.).

Two questions:

1-Do you think this is a good idea? too cheesy or something?

and

2-Should it be played as some part of the ceremony or in the background at the reception? (all will take place in our home church, so there is the AV equipment)

Answer 1

I've made a scrapbook of us together because it's just a hobby of mine.. I may set up a room with the scrapbook and perhaps a video or slideshow for people to drop in and see when they want to.  During the reception, I really want people to come TALK to me the groom so I don't want something distracting from that or the mood.  I may hang strands of pictures from tree limbs as decoration in the reception area and probably will have a picture at the book before the ceremony.  I did think the mood was distracted a bit at a wedding I went to where this was done at the reception.  If you are taking pictures in between the ceremony and reception though, you want some way to entertain your guests while this is going on.. that's why I will set up a room for them to visit.  It's a good idea, just be classy about it.  you don't want it to be a distraction or for people who may have wanted to see it to miss it.  

Answer 2

I've seen this done a number of times.  I think it's really cute and I think it's very memorable for the family and the couple.  It's also an excellent way to honor any relatives who have passed.  You can include their pictures with the bride or groom.    I also enjoy seeing baby pictures of people, they are so cute.   It also shows the couple's journey from dating, to serious relationship, to engagement to wedding.  It gives them personality too.  You can incorporate your interests as a couple,  different events you went to, vacations, family functions, etc.  

I would do it.  I would like to do something similar at my own wedding.  However, I'd do it at the reception.  A cute song might be Rascall Flatss, "God Bless the Broken Road"

I'm sure some people might "find it boring".  But, I think your family and people who have known you for a really long time will enjoy it.  At one wedding I went to, they had pictures of the groom's grandparents who had passed.  I could tell that his family (his mother, his siblings, his aunts, uncles, cousins) really loved to see those pictures.  It brought back good memories and it honored the grandparents well.

Answer 3

That sounds really nice.  I think I would just do it at the reception.  Seems like that might be a bit distracting during the actual wedding.

Answer 4

I had a slidshow at the reception. It played while my hubby and I were getting our pictures taken, as well as during dinner, and it worked out really well.

I personally don't like it when people play it during the ceremony.  

Answer 5

When I got married, I had the slide show going in the background while people were being seated for the ceremony. It was nice because people weren't just sitting there bored. Up on the screen above the stage (we were married in a church) was pictures and music was going.

At my moms wedding, she had a slide show going on in the beginning of the reception while the family and wedding party took formal pictures.

But I really liked it before the ceremony.

Answer 6

I love the idea! I actually had one. We played it when dinner started. It gave people something to look at while eating other then us.

Plus several people told me they felt as thought they could talk to others at there table and say "oh I remember that" and shared they story with others at the table. It was a great ice breaker.Plus they felt as thought they got caught up on what been going on in our life's.

Several family members asked us for a copy after the wedding! My mom, grandma, and step-dad all cried. It was a sad happy moment in there life's to watch there little girl grow up all over again. I was the first born and first grandchild, first to get married so it was a special moment.  

Answer 7

I would either do it at the reception or before the wedding starts as everyone is getting seated and before the bridal party comes down the aisle.

Answer 8

I like the response on having it show as your guests are being seated, waiting for the ceremony to begin.  That gives something for them to do, other then sit and wait.  Also, if you are having a "your" song played during the ceremony, that would be a good time to show it.  

Answer 9

I think that it is a great idea.

My friend actually showed the slideshow right before the ceremony. It was actually really cute because you got to see them as children, etc. then you saw her walking down the aisle. It was nice for the guests and I really enjoyed it.

But, you could also show it during the cocktail hour or while you guys are taking pictures before the reception.

Answer 10

No offense, It's actually very vain and a good example of how naracisstic brides an grooms have become. I've seen it done once or twice and it's pretty nauseating for everyone aside from Grandmas. The truth is, nobody is as interested in you as you think they are. They are certainly excited about your wedding, and they certainly love you. But a slideshow with pictures of only you? Not so much.

I mean, a picture slideshow or collage is something typically done at funerals... You are celebrating your new marriage, not your old life...

I'm sure my answer won't be popular, but maybe you can include some other friends and family members in your photos? Or just one well placed photo of you two?

Answer 11

My cousin had that at her wedding and it was so awesome. They had it during the reception running through dinner time and it was great. I want to do that for my wedding. I also thought about doing a video interview with the both of us like how we met, what are our favorite things about eachother, funny stories etc. Also another idea not that you asked for it.. but she gave away cd's with the reception music on it with them talking at the beginning saying thanks and stuff as favors. It was really cute. The cover had a pic of them on it.

Answer 12

oh my gosh, girl.  of course it's a fantastic idea.  have you never seen or heard of this?  it is the nicest form of heartfelt entertainment right after the lunch has been completed.  everyone will love to see the pictures that make up your life.  we've done this a few times now and people do this as a service professionally too.  put it to some lovely music and wait for all the ahhhh's and ohhhhh's.  keep it under 20 minutes and definitely add it to the most memorable moments of your life.

Answer 13

I know people are not going to like my answer, but honestly anytime I have attended a wedding where they show a slideshow during the ceremony or the reception, I usually "have to go to the bathroom" at that time.  It just really interrupts the flow of the day.  It's a nice thought, so if you are really wanting to do it, put it on a laptop in a corner (like on the gift table) and have it playing on a loop with no sound.  Then people can stop and view (or not) when they choose.