Resources

Post-Wedding Photo and Video Ideas: How to Make the Most of Your Wedding Memories

Your wedding day is a milestone, and the photos and videos that capture it are treasures you’ll cherish forever. But after the wedding is over, how do you make sure that your beautiful wedding memories are more than just something stored in a folder on your computer or tucked away in a photo album? At Twelve One & Co., we believe that the beauty of your wedding photos and videos should live on long after the big day. Not only can you cherish these memories in physical products, but your wedding or engagement website is also a perfect place to display and share your photos, videos, and all the wonderful memories from your wedding journey.

Here are some creative ways to relive those special moments, whether you want to turn them into lasting art, share them on your website, or make them a part of your life for years to come. Plus, with the help of our custom designer, we can bring your post-wedding vision to life, ensuring you have beautiful, personalized keepsakes to cherish forever.

1. Create a Custom Wedding Album

One of the best ways to preserve your wedding day memories is by designing a custom wedding album. Printed albums are tangible keepsakes that allow you to relive every moment from the first kiss to the last dance. Our Twelve One & Co. albums are beautifully designed to highlight the most memorable moments of your day in a stunning, hardcover format. You can choose from a variety of styles—classic, modern, or even artistic—to create something unique to your story.

Pro Tip: Incorporate QR codes or links to video clips within the album. That way, you can easily watch your wedding video alongside the photos for a more immersive experience. Your wedding website can also host these videos and act as a digital companion to your physical album. You could also turn the comment feature on your website and allow your guest to comment on each photo.

2. Display Your Wedding Photos as Wall Art

Why keep your wedding memories confined to an album when you can make them part of your home decor? Turn your favorite wedding portraits into high-quality wall art. Whether it’s a large canvas print, framed photo, or even an acrylic display, showcasing your wedding photos allows you to relive those beautiful moments daily. A dramatic portrait from your first look, your first dance, or a candid moment at the reception can become the centerpiece of your living room or bedroom.

Pro Tip: For an extra touch, consider creating a gallery wall with several photos from your wedding. Arrange them creatively for a chic and personalized display. These photos can also be integrated into your wedding website as an ongoing visual story of your day.

3. Anniversary Photo Sessions

Your wedding day isn’t the only moment worth celebrating. Why not keep the memories alive with anniversary photo shoots? Each year, you can schedule a photo session to capture your love as it evolves. Whether it’s a casual shoot at your favorite café, an intimate session at the beach, or something special like revisiting your wedding venue, this tradition will let you look back at how far you’ve come since your wedding day.

Pro Tip: Combine your anniversary shoot with an ongoing “Story Album”—an album that includes your wedding photos and continues with your anniversary shoots every year. This gives you a beautifully curated record of your life together. You can share these photos on your wedding website as a living, breathing album that grows with your relationship.

4. Create a Wedding Video Montage

A highlight reel or full-length wedding video is a fantastic way to relive your wedding day. You can make this even more special by working with your videographer to create a personalized anniversary video montage. Each year, you can add a new chapter to this montage, featuring clips from your anniversary shoots or significant moments from your life together. It’s a cinematic way to watch your love grow over the years.

Pro Tip: If you’ve got family and friends who weren’t able to attend the wedding, consider creating a guest message video where they share their favorite wedding memories or well wishes for you as a couple. Your wedding website can host this video, allowing easy access for all to relive those memories.

5. Wedding Day Behind-the-Scenes Moments

Sometimes, the best moments aren’t always in the spotlight. Consider compiling behind-the-scenes footage into a video or album. These could include candid shots of you and your partner getting ready, little moments of joy with friends and family, and even bloopers from the reception. These raw moments add a personal touch to your wedding memories that go beyond the formal portraits.

Pro Tip: Incorporate the behind-the-scenes moments into your wedding video or use a separate “Making-of” album that showcases those fun, unguarded times. This can also be added to your wedding website as a private collection for you and your loved ones to enjoy.

6. Thank-You Cards with Your Photos

Why not use your wedding photos for thank-you cards? You can choose one or two of your favorite wedding portraits or candid moments and design thank-you cards that express your gratitude to those who attended. This adds a personal touch and gives your guests a reminder of the wonderful day you shared together.

Pro Tip: Send out thank-you video messages along with your cards! A short, heartfelt message thanking your guests for their love and support is a wonderful way to show appreciation. You can also add the link to your wedding website where your full wedding gallery is available for your guests to explore.

7. Personalized Wedding Keepsake Box

A wedding keepsake box is a meaningful way to store all of the little mementos from your big day. From your wedding invitation to pieces of your wedding attire, you can hold on to all the keepsakes that made your wedding day unique. Include a few of your favorite wedding photos and videos in this box for an extra special touch.

Pro Tip: Add a USB drive or DVD with your wedding film to the keepsake box so you can relive your day whenever you’d like. Consider linking this box to your wedding website as a place to store all digital memories.

8. Wedding-themed Merchandise

How about turning your wedding memories into something functional? From T-shirts and mugs featuring your wedding date to blankets or pillows adorned with your favorite photos, there are plenty of ways to create wedding-themed merchandise that you can enjoy and share with loved ones. Our web developer can easily set up a shop where you could offer products with your photos on them so that you don’t have to hold the stock people can access the items and purchase and have them shipped directly to them whenever they wanted. There are third-party Integrations where you can pick what photos and what items you want those photos on then the amount of markup you want to charge if any and they will handle everything else.

Pro Tip: Custom photo calendars featuring a different wedding image each month are a great gift idea and a fun way to relive your memories throughout the year. These products can also be showcased and offered for sale on your wedding website.

9. Custom Wedding Photo and Video Merchandise

Create memorable gifts for loved ones by turning your wedding photos and videos into unique products, such as:

• Photo Books: Smaller, portable versions of your wedding album that family and friends can keep.
• Photo Magnets: Use candid shots from your wedding day to create personalized magnets for your fridge.
• Engraved Items: Have your favorite wedding photos engraved onto keepsakes like glass photo frames or wooden coasters.

Pro Tip: You can turn your wedding video into a short social media-friendly highlight for easy sharing, or even a QR code on your thank-you cards that links directly to your wedding video! The QR code could link directly to your website where you could have photo galleries personal messages and so much more.

10. Digital Wedding Slideshow

Compile all your wedding photos and videos into a digital slideshow with music from your wedding. This can be shared with friends and family via email or social media. It’s a wonderful way to let everyone relive the event, and it’s easy to store on your computer or cloud for long-term access. This is another way an engagement or wedding website could come in handy.

Pro Tip: Include a special anniversary video clip at the end of the slideshow, showing how much you’ve grown together as a couple.

---

Why Post-Wedding Products Matter

Your wedding day is just the beginning of your lifelong journey, and these post-wedding products and services can help keep the memories of that special day alive for years to come. Whether you’re looking to create a personalized anniversary photo album, relive the day with a custom wedding video montage, or display your favorite moments as wall art in your home, there are endless ways to continue cherishing your wedding memories.

At Twelve One & Co., we not only capture your wedding day, but we also offer creative ways to keep those memories close. With the help of our custom designer, we can bring your post-wedding vision to life, creating personalized keepsakes, custom designs, and digital experiences that you can cherish for years. Let us help you turn your wedding memories into lasting treasures that you can revisit and enjoy forever.

Wedding Day Photo & Video Packing List

When planning your wedding day, one thing you don’t want to overlook is preparing for your photography and videography. Your wedding photographer and videographer will need certain items to ensure they capture every perfect moment, and you may also want to ensure that you have the essentials on hand for your photos and videos. To help you stay organized, here’s a Wedding Day Photo & Video Packing List that covers everything needed for a smooth wedding day shoot.

1. Essential Items for the Bride and Groom

• Wedding Attire: The bride’s dress, veil, shoes, and accessories; the groom’s suit, shoes, tie, and cufflinks.
• Rings: Don’t forget the wedding bands — these are essential for both photos and video.
• Bouquet: The bride’s bouquet and the groom’s boutonnière (if applicable) should be prepped for photos.
• Personalized Details: Bring items with sentimental value, such as a family heirloom, special gifts, or a framed photograph of loved ones.
• Makeup and Hair Touch-Up Kit: Include powder, lip balm, and any other items you may need to touch up your makeup throughout the day.

2. Essential Items for Your Photographer and Videographer

• Timeline of Events: Make sure you share a copy of the timeline with your photographer and videographer to ensure they know the schedule of events.
• Shot List: Provide a list of must-have photos and video moments (first look, family portraits, etc.).
• Permits and Access: If your wedding is in a venue that requires a permit for photography or videography, make sure that your photographer/videographer has it.
• Extra Batteries: For both photography and videography, ensure your photographer and videographer bring plenty of extra batteries for their cameras, microphones, and drones (if applicable).
• Memory Cards/Storage Devices: Professional photographers and videographers should bring backup memory cards and external storage drives to avoid running out of space.
• Camera Lens Options: A variety of lenses is important to get the right shots in different settings. Discuss with your photographer to ensure all necessary lenses are available.

3. Props or Special Items

• Wedding Signage: If you plan on using any wedding signage, like welcome signs or seating charts, make sure these are ready for photos.
• Guest Book: If you plan to have a guest book, make sure it’s set up and ready for photos.
• Personalized Items: Think about any special props you might want, such as a framed photo of loved ones who couldn’t attend, or a note for your partner.

4. Items for the Ceremony and Reception

• Wedding Vows: Bring a printed or handwritten copy of your wedding vows, so they’re ready for photos and video.
• Reception Details: Make sure reception details like the cake, centerpieces, and place settings are in place and ready for shots.
• Lighting Equipment: If your wedding venue has low lighting, discuss lighting options with your photographer and videographer before the big day.
• Microphones: If you’re planning speeches or vows that will be recorded, consider using lapel microphones for clear audio. Your videographer should have this on hand.

5. Practical Items for the Couple

• Comfortable Shoes for Posing: Plan ahead for a comfortable pair of shoes if you’re going to be standing or walking during the portrait session.
• Water and Snacks: Wedding days can be long, so have snacks and water on hand for yourself and your bridal party.
• Tissues and Breath Mints: For freshening up during the day, have tissues and mints on standby.
• Emergency Kit: Small essentials like a sewing kit, deodorant, and hair ties can come in handy in case of any mishaps.

6. Optional but Helpful Items

• Video Messages or Guest Clips: If you want to record short messages from your guests or a heartfelt message for your spouse, be sure to have a plan in place with your videographer for capturing these moments.
• Drone for Aerial Shots: If you’ve chosen a venue with beautiful outdoor scenery, a drone can add a breathtaking touch to your wedding film.
• Confetti or Flower Petals: If you plan to do a confetti or flower petal toss for the exit, have these ready for the photographer and videographer to capture the action.

---

Why This Packing List is Important

The key to having a seamless photography and videography experience on your wedding day is preparation. By gathering everything your photographer and videographer will need beforehand, you ensure they can focus on capturing beautiful moments rather than scrambling to find essential items. This packing list will help keep everything organized, ensuring your wedding day photos and videos are as stunning and stress-free as possible.

Budgeting Tools for Wedding Photography and Videography

Planning a wedding involves a lot of details, and one of the most important aspects is making sure you stay within your budget. When it comes to your wedding photography and videography, it’s essential to understand what to expect in terms of costs and how to allocate your funds for the best results. To help you manage your budget, we’ve created a simple wedding photography and videography budgeting tool that will guide you through estimating costs and provide clarity on pricing.

How to Use the Wedding Photography and Videography Budgeting Tool

Our budgeting tool will help you break down the costs associated with wedding photography and videography services. Here’s how it can work for you:

1. Estimate Costs for Photography and Videography Packages

   • The first step in budgeting for your wedding photography and videography is understanding the cost of different packages. On average, wedding photography packages can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 or more, depending on the photographer’s experience and the services included. Similarly, videography packages typically range from $2,000 to $6,000.
   • Our tool will allow you to input your desired service level and location to estimate the total cost for both photography and videography.

2. Identify Add-On Services

   • Additional services like second shooters, drone footage, engagement sessions, and custom wedding albums can all impact the overall cost of your photography and videography. The budgeting tool will give you a breakdown of these add-ons, so you can select the extras that fit your needs and budget.
   • Example Add-Ons:
     • Second shooter for additional coverage
     • Drone footage for aerial shots
     • Extended hours for extra coverage
     • Photo albums or prints

3. Plan for Travel and Accommodation Costs

   • If you’re having a destination wedding or planning your event in a location that’s further from your photographer’s base, travel fees may apply. The budgeting tool will help you factor in these costs, including transportation, accommodation, and per diem rates.
   • For local weddings, you’ll want to ensure that your photographer and videographer have enough time to travel between locations and cover the event properly.

4. Set Payment Schedules and Deposits

   • Many wedding photographers and videographers require a deposit to hold the date, with the remaining balance due closer to the wedding. The budgeting tool will help you track deposit amounts, due dates, and remaining balances so you can plan your payments accordingly.

5. Determine Your Budget Allocation

   • Wedding photography and videography should be a significant portion of your budget, but it’s important to make sure you’re dividing your funds in a way that aligns with your priorities. Use the budgeting tool to allocate your total wedding budget between different categories (venue, catering, photography/videography, etc.) to help you stay on track.

6. Track Overall Budget

   • With everything broken down into individual categories, our tool allows you to track your total budget and make adjustments where needed. Whether you decide to go for a more luxurious photography package or opt for fewer add-ons, the tool ensures you know exactly where you stand financially.

Why This Tool Is Important

Wedding photography and videography are essential elements of your wedding day — they capture your memories and preserve them for years to come. By understanding the costs upfront and having a clear budget, you can make better decisions about which services to prioritize and how to allocate your funds. With our wedding photography and videography budgeting tool, you’ll have a clearer view of what to expect, ensuring you get the services you need without breaking the bank.

Here’s a simple wedding photography and videography budget template you can print and use:

---

Wedding Photography & Videography Budget Template

Category	Estimated Cost ($)	Actual Cost ($)
Photography Package
Videography Package
Engagement Session
Additional Hours
Drone Footage
Highlight Reel
Album and Prints
Travel and Accommodation
Miscellaneous (Add-Ons)
Total Estimated Cost
Total Actual Cost

---

This template allows you to track both the estimated and actual costs for each wedding photography and videography category. It also lets you add up the totals to help you manage your budget effectively.

---

This budgeting tool can be an invaluable resource for couples as they navigate the cost of their wedding photography and videography services. It helps them understand where to allocate their budget and manage expectations for additional services.

Wedding Photography & Videography Checklist

Planning your wedding day can be a whirlwind of details, and ensuring that you capture all of your important moments is essential. A comprehensive wedding photography and videography checklist can help you stay organized, so you don’t miss a single special moment. This checklist will guide you through the most important shots to request, moments to capture, and key questions to ask your wedding photographer and videographer. It’s your go-to guide to make sure your photos and videos reflect the essence of your big day.

1. Must-Have Shots for Wedding Photography

• Getting Ready: Photos of the bride and groom getting dressed, including any special moments with family and friends.
• Details: Close-up shots of the wedding rings, bouquet, invitations, shoes, and any other significant details.
• First Look: Whether it’s a private moment before the ceremony or a grand reveal during the procession, this emotional moment should be captured.
• Ceremony Moments: Shots of you walking down the aisle, exchanging vows, your first kiss as a married couple, and candid moments during the ceremony.
• Group Photos: Family portraits, bridal party photos, and any other important group shots.
• Reception: First dance, speeches, cake cutting, and candid moments of guests celebrating.
• Couple Portraits: Creative, romantic portraits of the couple after the ceremony. These can be posed or candid and often feature stunning backdrops.
• Exit Shots: Capture your grand exit — whether it’s a sparkler send-off, confetti toss, or just a quiet moment as you leave your venue.

2. Must-Have Shots for Wedding Videography

• Pre-Ceremony Footage: A glimpse of the bride and groom getting ready, setting the stage for your wedding film.
• The Ceremony: Key moments such as the vows, exchange of rings, the first kiss, and any special rituals or traditions.
• Reactions: Candid reactions of guests, family members, and wedding party members, especially during emotional moments like speeches or vows.
• First Dance and Speeches: Capturing the dance, first speeches, and toasts to add emotion and memories to your film.
• Details: Filming those small details like décor, the rings, and the venue’s atmosphere that tell the story of the wedding.
• Candid Shots: Unscripted, fun moments of the couple and guests celebrating, showing the excitement and atmosphere of the day.
• The Grand Exit: Whether it’s a kiss under sparklers, petals in the air, or a unique exit, this moment deserves to be captured in full motion.

3. Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer and Videographer

• What is your shooting style (e.g., traditional, documentary, cinematic)?
• How many hours of coverage do you offer, and do you have any flexibility if the wedding runs late?
• Do you have experience with our wedding venue, and do you know the best spots for photos and video?
• How many photographers/videographers will be at the wedding, and how do you divide your time between the couple and guests?
• Do you offer both photography and videography services, or would you recommend hiring separate teams for each?
• Can we provide a list of must-have shots or moments to be captured?
• How long will it take to receive our photos and videos after the wedding?
• What are your policies on rescheduling or cancellations?
• Do you offer photo albums, prints, or video edits as part of your package?

4. Additional Items to Consider for Wedding Photography and Videography

• Lighting Considerations: Discuss the lighting conditions with your photographer and videographer. Consider scheduling some shots during golden hour or adjusting lighting indoors to make sure your photos and video look their best.
• Backup Plan for Bad Weather: Especially for outdoor weddings, it’s crucial to have a backup plan for bad weather. Discuss alternative indoor locations for photos and video if needed.
• Drone Shots: If you want sweeping aerial views of your venue, discuss whether drone shots are an option and ensure you have any necessary permits.
• Videography Style: Discuss the tone and style of your wedding film. Would you prefer a highlight reel, full-length video, or a documentary-style film?
• Personal Touches: Include any special requests like a video message or photo of a passed loved one, meaningful props, or any personalized elements in your wedding ceremony.

5. Timeline for Wedding Photography and Videography

• Make sure you create a detailed timeline for your photographer and videographer. It should include time slots for getting ready, portraits, group photos, the ceremony, reception, and any special moments. Having a timeline will ensure that everything runs smoothly and nothing important is overlooked.