While couples are increasingly opting to tell their story as part of their ceremony, usually before the vows, some are taking it even further.

Photo montages are a special way to make your wedding ceremony, just a little more personal. For those of you that don’t know what a montage is, a montage is when you take pictures of the bride and groom growing up, dating, engagement shots, etc and put them all together in a slide show. Normally it is done to music. You can have them professionally done or do them pretty easily yourself.

Picture this this. Two chairs have been brought up for the Bride and Groom.  They and their guests are now be treated to a five minute photo montage of the couple's lives. Their collection of pictures included photos from every chapter of their lives.  Beginning with baby pictures, to childhood birthday parties, to high school cheerleading to college and every other image of interest the couple could provide - their audience is tickled with the presentation.  Every guest is riveted.  And laughter punctuates the entire sequence.

When a photo montage presentation is used, we encourage it to be shown just prior to the exchange of vows and rings.  This allows your guests, some of whom may only be familiar with the bride or the groom but not both, a little opportunity to get a feel for the other personality.Alternatively, a photo montage need not take place during the ceremony at all nor with larger projection equipment .  Your videographer or photographer can often provide you with a smaller version. Your own laptop could do the same.  Placed by your card box or on your gift table, guests will have just as much fun at your reception watching your life in pictures.

The secret to the photo montage is to keep it short. Remember only you; your mom and hopefully your fiancé are really that in to seeing your baby pictures.