Creating Wedding Slide Shows: A Guide To Capturing Memories

Wedding slideshows are a great way to showcase the journey of the couple and create a dialogue with guests. They can be played during the wedding festivities, including the rehearsal dinner, or even on the big day itself. There are many software applications available to create a wedding slideshow, such as Adobe Express, Canva, iMovie, PowerPoint, Smilebox, and Animotica. These tools offer various features, including templates, drag-and-drop functionality, music, colours, text, animation, and customisation options. The process typically involves selecting a template, compiling photos and videos, adding music, customising the slideshow, and sharing it via email, social media, or displaying it live at the wedding reception.

Picking a theme: past, present, future, travel or summer

Picking a theme for your wedding slideshow can help guide you during the creation process. Here are some ideas for themes centred around past, present, future, travel, or summer:

Past, Present, Future

This popular theme focuses on the couple's past, present, and future. Include funny or embarrassing childhood photos and videos of the couple, as well as romantic photos from their first date or the first time they met. You can also involve friends, family, or the wedding party to make it a more collaborative effort. Song choices for this theme could include "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift and "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.

Travel

If the couple loves to travel or is having a destination wedding, consider centring the slideshow around their travels. Include photos and videos from their previous trips, both as a couple and with family and friends. Compatible songs for this theme include "A Whole New World" by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane, and "Life is a Highway" by the Rascal Flatts.

Summer

For a summer wedding, create a feel-good slideshow filled with summer memories. Include photos and videos from the beach, backyard barbecues, or the couple's favourite summertime activities. Pair these visuals with summery songs such as "Summer" by Calvin Harris and "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves.

Childhood to Present

This theme focuses on the couple's journey from childhood to the present. Collect 15 to 25 photos from their childhood and add lovely captions to each one. You can also include photos from their teenage years and early adulthood to showcase their growth as individuals and as a couple.

From First Meeting to Wedding Day

Chronologically showcase the couple's journey from their first meeting to their wedding day. This theme is a lovely way to highlight the couple's love story and can include photos of their first date, early relationship milestones, and the proposal.

Choosing software: Canva, iMovie, PowerPoint, Adobe Express, Smilebox, Animotica or Animoto

When it comes to choosing the right software for your wedding slideshow, there are several options to consider. Each program has its own unique features and benefits, so it's important to select the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Here's an overview of seven popular options: Canva, iMovie, PowerPoint, Adobe Express, Smilebox, Animotica, and Animoto.

Canva is an excellent choice for couples who want to create a stylish and elegant slideshow without spending a fortune. It offers a wide range of beautifully designed templates, including romantic, minimalist, floral, and quirky styles. Canva's user-friendly editing tools make it easy to upload photos and videos, add captions, and animate text and transitions. You can also collaborate with your partner or delegate the task to a member of your wedding party.

IMovie is a popular choice for Mac and iOS users. It offers a simple and intuitive interface for creating stunning videos. With iMovie, you can easily edit and arrange your photos and videos, add titles and captions, and choose from a variety of themes and transitions. iMovie also provides a range of audio tools, allowing you to add music and sound effects to enhance your slideshow.

PowerPoint, a classic presentation software, is a versatile option for creating wedding slideshows. While it may be more commonly associated with business presentations, PowerPoint offers a variety of design tools and transition effects that can be used to create engaging slideshows. It is particularly useful if you already have experience using the software.

Adobe Express is a powerful online video editor that allows you to create stunning wedding slideshows with no prior experience required. It offers a wide range of free wedding templates, as well as editing tools for cutting, cropping, and trimming your video footage. Adobe Express also provides access to a large collection of royalty-free soundtracks, images, and fonts, allowing you to customize your slideshow to perfection.

Smilebox is another excellent option for creating a wedding slideshow, offering professionally designed templates that are both beautiful and unique. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to add photos, captions, music, and other elements. Smilebox also provides a variety of customization options, allowing you to create a slideshow that truly reflects your style and personality.

Animotica is a great choice for Windows 10 users, offering a combination of pictures and video clips. It provides features such as photo backgrounds, text overlays, and stickers to enhance your slideshow. With Animotica, you can easily add and edit your content, making it a user-friendly option for creating a professional-looking slideshow.

Animoto is a free online video maker that utilizes simple drag-and-drop tools. While they don't specialize in weddings, they offer a number of beautiful wedding templates to choose from. Animoto makes it easy to upload your photos and videos, add text, and select from a variety of design elements to create a polished and engaging slideshow.

Each of these software options offers distinct advantages, so consider your specific needs and preferences when making your decision. Whether you prioritize ease of use, design flexibility, or the ability to add music and animations, there is a wedding slideshow software that can help you create a memorable and personalized presentation for your big day.

Selecting photos and videos: include milestones and friends and family

Selecting photos and videos for your wedding slideshow is a crucial step in the creation process. The images and videos you choose should tell the story of your relationship and include milestones such as your first date, anniversaries, and the proposal. Aim for a mix of photos and videos from your childhoods, single life, and life as a couple. If you have any funny or embarrassing moments captured on camera, those can add a touch of humour and personality to your slideshow.

It is also important to include friends and family in your selection. Your loved ones will likely be excited to see themselves featured in the slideshow, so choose images and videos that show how important they are to you. If you are unable to find suitable photos or videos with your friends and family, you can incorporate them in other ways. For example, you could include screenshots of their social media posts or conduct short interview sessions where they offer marriage advice or answer rapid-fire questions related to your relationship.

When selecting photos and videos, ensure they are of high quality and high resolution, especially if you plan to display your slideshow on a large screen. You want your guests to be able to view the images and videos clearly, even from a distance.

Finally, consider the tone and theme of your slideshow. If you are creating a romantic and elegant slideshow, choose images and videos that reflect this. On the other hand, if you are aiming for a fun and upbeat vibe, select content that is lighthearted and captures joyful moments.

By carefully selecting photos and videos that represent your relationship, milestones, and loved ones, you will create a meaningful and engaging wedding slideshow that your guests will enjoy.

Adding music: choose a meaningful song or a popular wedding slideshow song

Adding music to your wedding slideshow is a great way to make it more engaging and entertaining for your guests. When choosing a song, opt for one that is meaningful to you and your partner. Do you have a favourite song that you always dance to? Or perhaps there was a song that played on your first date? These songs are perfect for your slideshow as they are unique to you.

If you can't think of a song that holds a special significance, you could choose from some of the most popular wedding slideshow songs. "Still The One" by Shania Twain, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, and "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri are all recommended by wedding experts. You could also choose a fun wedding song that will complement the images typically found in wedding slideshows.

Keep in mind the tone of your slideshow when selecting your music. If you're showcasing a lot of humour and pictures with friends, opt for happy, upbeat music. On the other hand, if your slideshow is focused on the romance between you and your partner, slower and more romantic songs are a better fit.

You can also keep the energy of the slideshow high by using just a portion of each song, such as the chorus. This allows you to include more songs and create a varied and dynamic soundtrack for your slideshow.

Displaying your slideshow: during the rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour or reception

Displaying your slideshow is the final step in creating a wedding montage that will wow your guests. You can opt to display your slideshow at an organised time when everyone can watch together, or you can play it in the background during the cocktail hour or reception. If you choose the former, the average wedding slideshow length is around 30 photos or less than five minutes so your guests don't lose interest. If you choose the latter, a longer presentation is fine.

If you're setting aside a specific time to display the slideshow, you'll need a projector and a large movie-style screen. If you're playing it in the background, a big-screen television will work. Put your DJ or a tech-savvy member of the wedding party in charge of the slideshow on the day so you don't have to worry about it.

If you're looking for a place to share your wedding slideshow after your wedding, you can upload it to social media or email it to your guests. You can also display it at a family gathering or brunch the day after your wedding.

Frequently asked questions