Creating Wedding Slideshows with PhotoStage Slideshows
by Daily Wedding Blog
Filed under Post-wedding
If you have read our post How to Convert your Wedding Photographs into a Slideshow you might remember that we discussed the growing number of couples who are now incorporating their wedding photographs into a slideshow as a fun way to preserve their wedding photographs digitally and an easy way to share their photos with family and friends.
Well over the weekend I had a play with PhotoStage Slideshow and had a fun time making up some mock slideshows. After I got all the novelty effects and transitions out of my system (which I highly recommend doing) I set upon converting 30 images into a slideshow and was impressed to find that it was quite a quick process and I ended up with a pretty elegant creation, if I don’t say so myself!
What actually first appealed to me about PhotoStage slideshow is that there is no steep learning curve. Once installed you’re pretty much ready to start creating your slideshow. This is due the simplicity of the navigation interface, which is broken down into five numbered steps.
1. Add photos video clips and music.
2. Add effects
3. Add transitions.
4. Record Narration
5. Save slideshow
One aspect of PhotoStage that initially had me unimpressed was the lack of titles, or so I thought. I couldn’t fathom how a slideshow/editing software could be missing an integral element of multimedia creation. Turns out though, that PhotoStage does in fact over text overlay, however it is hidden in ‘step 2′ under effects. Whist I can see why they did put it in step 2, I’m guessing to keep all the effects that happen to a clip or image in the one organized space, the video editor in me is wanting to leave titles as a separate final step, just before saving the file, but in reality i’m just being picky!
Having said that, what appealed to me most about PhotoStage is how speedy it was to create a wedding slideshow. Considering the sheer amount of photographs some couples will undoubtedly end up with (were talking hundreds thanks to digital cameras) the time it takes to create slideshows is a big factor, especially if you decide to make several variations.
To be honest, I am puzzled why this software is called PhotoStage Slideshow. As whilst it can produce top notch slideshow, it can also be used as a basic home video editing software. Therefore I feel the title lets down the software a little, as you don’t get the full grasp of that functionality until you start using it. It is a nice little surprise though.
How to Convert your Wedding Photographs into a Slideshow I touched upon including a slideshow with your wedding thank-you card. The great thing I’ve noticed about PhotoStage is that you’re offered quite a few choices for saving your slideshow beyond just the basic dvd. You can also output your project for devices such as mobile phones(including iphones) or you could output the slideshow directly to Facebook and You Tube from the software itself. This could be a very handy feature for some.
Find out more about PhotoStage Slideshow.
How to Convert your Wedding Photographs into a Slideshow
by Daily Wedding Blog
Filed under Post-wedding
So you’ve just had your wedding and created some wonderful memories with family and friends sharing your special day with you, topped off by a romantic honeymoon. Now what? Well I’m guessing those memories have resulted in a large amount of photos to sift through and some choices need to be made how to preserve and share these memories.
Traditionally couples would frame one or two photo and the best of the rest would end up in an album, or alternatively the photographer would present the bride and groom with an album with the official photographs. These days, whilst couples still incorporate the framed photos and albums, many are also taking advantage of the digital platform and creating their own wedding slideshows easily from their own home.
Anyone who has ever owned a digital camera will know how easy it is for pictures to accumulate. As well your official photographer’s wedding photos, you will have a legion of family and friends who will want to share photos with you from your wedding that they have taken themselves.
When these images are just kept on your hardrive or burned to a dvd as storage, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by them, which is why preserving them in a slideshow format can be a fun way organize and share your wedding memories.
What do I Need to create my own Wedding Slideshow at Home?
Step 1: Preparation: Your wedding photos in a digital format.
The first thing you will need to create your slideshow is your wedding photos in digital format. Most couples will already have access to this. If you only have hard copies of your images you will either need access to a scanner, or you will need to head to a print/photo processing store to convert them onto a dvd for you. You will also need any other media handy that you want to incorporate into your slideshow such as videos and music.
Step 2: Creation: Slideshow Software
The next step is to find software that caters to slideshow making. We like using PhotoStage Slideshow as although it has advanced capabilities and can incorporate videos, audio and images, the interface is easy to navigate and you can be up and running within minutes of installation.
Try to maintain some structure with your slideshow as this will help it to flow smoothly. Work out an introduction, middle and end. The introduction could be photographs of the bridal party arriving at the wedding followed by ceremony shots. This could lead into images of the wedding reception and end on photographs of the bride and groom leaving the venue.
Remember, when creating a slideshow, the background music is just as important as the images that you have chosen to include. Try to incorporate songs with meaning, such as the song played as you had your first wedding dance song, on your first date, or another song with sentimental meaning.
Step 3: Share:
Now that you have created your wedding slideshow you of course want to share it with family and friends. I like the idea of including a slideshow on a dvd along with your thank-you cards. You could also create several different variations of slideshows to send to different groups of people.
To thank your bridesmaids for their taking a special role in your wedding, you could create a ‘bridesmaid slideshow’ of images that highlight the important wedding ‘bridesmaid’ milestones that they shared with you leading up to the wedding, as well as images from the day itself.
Wedding slideshows are a fun way to preserve and share memories. The potential slideshow variations are endless limited just by your imagination!
Find out more about PhotoStage Slideshow.
Save Money On Wedding Postage
by Daily Wedding Blog
Filed under Post-wedding
You can save money on wedding invitations by personally handing them to the guests that you are likely to run into it. It’s a more personal touch and makes more sense anyway. If you are sending a group of invitations to a club or organisation, send them in one package, the postage will be cheaper this way.
Instead of sending traditional thank-you cards, why note buy some nice letter writing paper and send each guest a short note thanking them for their attendance, mention their gift, and tell them briefly about the honeymoon, ‘We just got back from the Gold Coast, you would love the beaches up there.’ This will save you money on buying each guest, couple or family a thank-you card.
You could also consider sending thank-you cards via email. Don’t send a mass email thanking your guests, this is impersonal and rude. A nice added touch is to include a digital photo of the guest at your wedding in the email.
Some older family members who are more traditional or those who don’t own a computer would prefer a thank-you card or hand written note. Take this into consideration.
Let Your Wedding Guests Know What Their Money Has Bought You
by Daily Wedding Blog
Filed under Post-wedding
Cash gifts are increasingly popular at weddings. The bride and groom benefit because they can direct the money towards what they need in starting married life together, and the wedding guests can be happy in knowing that they are giving the bride and groom something that they actually want.
When sending out thank-you cards, it is a nice idea to acknowledge what your guest’s money has contributed to. You could write something like
Thank-you so much for your wedding gift. It bought us a new dinner set. I can’t wait to show it to you when you visit us.
Another approach would be to get out your digital camera and take photos of you and your partner with the gift and send that photo along with your wedding thank-you cards. It can be great fun taking the photos and the recipient will love seeing them.
Don’t forget to let friends know that you have moved
by Daily Wedding Blog
Filed under Post-wedding
For many couples, getting married means a change of address and home phone number. You would be surprised how many couples forget to pass these contact details onto their family and friends, and this is one of the main ways that people lose touch.
I know of one bride who included her and her husband’s new contact info on the reception programs. The problem with this however, was that the wedding guest consisted of people that she didn’t necessarily want knowing her personal contact details and as a result she kept having unannounced visits. I know, you might be saying, well then why would she invite them to her wedding, but she fell into the ‘obligatory’ invites trap.
The best way to handle this tactfully is prior to your wedding, write down a list to determine who needs to be updated with your contact details. Have two lists, some people prefer that certain people only know their home phone number, whilst others are happy for people to know both their home number and address.
The easiest way to let people know your new address is to pop it in the thank-you card that you will be sending after the wedding.
