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Wedding Photo Projects  |
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Wedding photographs aren’t meant to be buried in a box somewhere. They’re meant to be seen! But, rather than forcing your album on whomever walks through your door, put those pictures to good use: as gifts and home décor.
Books
Photo books allow couples to forgo traditional albums and showcase multiple photos with maximum personalization. With either hard or soft cover bindings, they have customizable page designs and layouts to meet your specific photo needs.
Walmart.com offers 11x9” paperback memory books starting at $9.96 and $17.96 for hardcover. Photos can be as large as the book itself and captions are optional.
Those on a budget or with fewer photos might opt for Wal-Mart’s spiral-bound flip book ($4.76) instead. Perfect for 4x6 and 5x7 photographs, these books allow one photograph per page, keeping the focus on what matters most: your pictures.
Another contender in the photo book market, PhotoWorks.com boasts more versatility with a variety of theme and design options. Plus, users can insert up to 12 photographs on the cover and include a personalized title on the book’s spine. Prices start from $16.95 for a mini-album and go up to $69.95 for an oversized hardcover.
Gifts
Photos make thoughtful gifts for your bridesmaids and other loved ones who weren’t able to photograph the big event. Choose a flattering photo of the recipient, ideally one in which she or he is posed with the bride and groom. Frame it or think outside of the wooden box.
There are a multitude of photo gifts available for creative couples: ornaments, bookmarks, license plates, you name it. You could insert your photo on a magnet ($4.86, Wal-Mart), keychain ($15.95, PhotoWorks.com) or photo tile ($15.95, PhotoWorks.com). You’re limited only by your imagination.
Kodak, a giant in the photo industry, offers its online Gallery (www.kodakgallery.com) that delivers photo gifts in the form of apparel, calendars, and cards featuring exclusive Martha Stewart Designs. Plus, Kodak sorts its products by occasion for easy shopping.
Frames
 At home, make the most of your favorite snapshots by displaying your photos in grouped frames. Choose frames with matching colors and place your photos at eye-level at about five feet above the floor.
For best results, try the following:
1. Trace the outline of each frame on colored paper and cut out the shapes.
2. Place a piece of masking tape on the back of each one.
3. Arrange the shapes on your wall to find the pattern that looks best.
4. Once the pattern is set, mark the wall by tapping a nail gently through the paper where the hangers will be installed.
5. Remove the papers and install your hangers.
Those who want the look of multiple frames without the hassle might have better luck with collages. These frames hold multiple photos but are hung by one master frame, requiring only one or two nails (and minimal effort on your part). Target has a wide selection of collage frames. Our favorites include the 9-opening collage frame, hanging collage frame, and macro multi-opening frame.
You could also opt for a digital frame and skip printing your photos altogether. Wal-Mart’s $25 photo cube is the ultimate frame for the couple on a budget, while Polaroid’s 7” digital frames ($79.87, Wal-Mart) allow for a slideshow of multiple pictures and can be placed on a flat surface or hung on a wall.
If you have a few keepsakes you’d like to display (invitations or programs, for instance), insert them in a shadow box (www.frameplace.com, The Frame Place) embellished by scrapbook supplies, such as printed papers, ribbons, and sticker fonts. Hung in a high-traffic area, your shadow box will become a subject of conversation and a reminder of your special day.
Your photos are precious to you and to your loved ones. Used to their best advantage, they’ll let you and your guests re-live the celebration again and again.
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