Creating A Wedding Photo Frame Prop: A Step-By-Step Guide

Photo booth frames are a fun way to entertain your wedding guests and capture memories of your big day. They can be expensive to buy, but there are plenty of DIY options that can be created with just a few materials. This introduction will cover how to make a wedding photo frame prop, including the materials you will need, the steps to follow, and some creative ideas for customisation and decorations. Whether you're looking for a simple Polaroid-style frame or something more intricate, this guide will help you create a fun and engaging prop for your wedding guests to enjoy.

Prepare materials: foam board, utility knife/scissors, cardboard box, vinyl decal/marker pen, and optional decorations

To make a wedding photo frame prop, you will need to prepare the following materials:

Foam Board

Use a foam board as the base material for your photo frame. You can choose the size of the board depending on your preference; for example, an A2 size board or a bigger one.

Utility Knife/Scissors

You will need a utility knife or scissors to cut out the centre of the foam board to create the frame. A utility knife will provide more precision when cutting, but scissors can also be used if that is what you have available.

Cardboard Box

Place a flattened cardboard box or another similar protective surface underneath your work area to prevent any damage to the surface below. This will be especially useful when using a utility knife or scissors to cut the foam board.

Vinyl Decal/Marker Pen

To add wording or inscriptions to your photo frame, you can use a vinyl decal or a simple marker pen. The wording can be placed at the top and bottom, just the bottom, or even up the sides of the frame, depending on your preference.

Optional Decorations

You can enhance your photo frame by adding various decorations such as fake flowers, paper flowers, fairy lights, glitter, spray paint, acrylic paint, stickers, ribbons, or other creative elements. These decorations can be attached to different parts of the frame, including the top, bottom, sides, or just the corners, to create a balanced look.

Create a template: place the board on a box, draw lines for cutting, and plan any wording

To create a template for your wedding photo frame prop, start by placing your foam board on a flattened cardboard box or another similar surface. This will protect the surface underneath from any scratches or cuts.

Next, select the dimensions of your photo booth frame. A good rule of thumb is to make the bottom part twice as big as the other sides to resemble a Polaroid photo frame. For example, if you want a 10-inch-tall frame, the sides should be 4.5 inches each. Mark these dimensions on the board with a pencil and a ruler, drawing clear lines to indicate where you will cut out the hole.

If you plan to use a vinyl decal or wording, now is the time to place it on the board to ensure you have left enough space. You can place the wording at the top and bottom, just the bottom, or even up the sides—it's entirely up to you!

Once you are happy with your markings, carefully use your utility knife or scissors to cut along the pencil lines. You may need to go over the lines a few times to ensure a clean cut.

Cut out the hole: carefully cut and push out the middle, then smooth the edges

Now that you have drawn clear lines where you want to cut out the hole, it's time to carefully cut and push out the middle. Take your utility knife and cut out the rectangle you indicated with your pencil lines. If you want to be extra precise, you can use a ruler to guide your knife as you cut, creating clean lines.

If you don't have a utility knife, you can also use scissors for this step. Just be extra careful and take your time to ensure you're cutting along the lines you drew. After you've cut along the entire pencilled rectangle, carefully push out the middle. If it doesn't come out easily, go over the lines again with your knife or scissors. You may need to do this a few times if the middle doesn't come out smoothly.

Once the middle is pushed out, use your knife or scissors to straighten out the edges if needed. Then, take some sandpaper and lightly sand the edges you just cut to make them as smooth and straight as possible. This step is important to ensure that your frame looks neat and polished. Take your time and be gentle to achieve the best results.

After you've cut out the hole and smoothed the edges, your frame is almost ready! You can now move on to decorating your frame or adding an inscription if you choose.

Decorate the frame: add flowers, paint, stickers, glitter, or other decorations

Now that you have your frame, it's time to decorate it! This is your chance to get creative and make your frame unique and memorable. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Flowers

Add artificial or paper flowers to your frame for a romantic and elegant touch. You can use flowers in a variety of colours and sizes to create a stunning visual effect. Try to use flowers that complement the colour of your frame and the overall wedding theme. You can attach the flowers using glue, tape, or any other adhesive that works with your frame material.

Paint

Painting your frame can add a pop of colour or a subtle background for your other decorations. Spray paint or acrylic paint works well on foam board, and you can choose any colour you like! Consider using a colour that matches your wedding colours or a neutral shade like white or ivory. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a metallic paint for a glamorous look.

Stickers

Stickers are an easy and fun way to decorate your frame. You can find stickers in various shapes, sizes, and themes to match your wedding style. Go for something elegant and classic, or choose fun and quirky stickers to make your guests smile. You can even create your own custom stickers with your wedding hashtag or a special message.

Glitter

Add some sparkle to your frame with glitter! You can use glue to apply glitter to the entire frame or create a glitter border or design. Choose a fine glitter for a subtle shimmer or go for a chunkier glitter for a bold, eye-catching look. Just be aware that glitter can be messy, so use it sparingly and carefully.

Other Decorations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your frame. Here are some more ideas to consider:

• Ribbons: Wrap ribbons around your frame or attach bows to the corners for a festive touch.
• Fairy lights: String some fairy lights around your frame for a magical and whimsical effect.
• Garlands: Hang garlands across the top or bottom of your frame for a festive and colourful touch.
• Hand-crafted items: Get creative and make your own decorations to attach to the frame. This could include paper cut-outs, origami, or even painted designs.
• 3D details: Make your decorations pop by using 3D elements that extend beyond the frame. This could include flowers, ribbons, or other creative additions.

Add an inscription: include a date, names, or a custom hashtag

Adding an inscription to your wedding photo frame prop is a great way to personalise it and make it memorable. You can include the date of your wedding, your names, or a custom hashtag.

If you want your guests to use a specific hashtag when posting photos from your wedding, a photo frame prop is a fun way to display it. You could write the hashtag at the top or bottom of the frame, or even up the sides—it's up to you! This will ensure your guests don't forget to include it in their posts and will make it easy for them to find and browse all the photos from your big day.

In addition to the photo frame prop, there are many other ways to display your wedding hashtag. You could include it on your wedding website, invitations, save-the-dates, napkins, programs, menus, place cards, or even as an engagement photo prop. Get creative and think of ways to incorporate the hashtag into your decor, such as with a neon sign, a wooden board, or a letter board. You could even display it on a vintage frame or as a photo booth prop.

When creating your hashtag, make sure it's unique and memorable. Play around with different combinations of your names, the wedding date, or a creative turn of phrase. You can also use a wedding hashtag generator to help you come up with the perfect tag. Once you've settled on a hashtag, be sure to add it to all your wedding-related social media posts so people will start to recognise it.

Frequently asked questions