Lloyd Haddad and Keith Wicker are the co-owners of Walter Adams Framing. On September 13, 2026, they tied the knot in San Francisco.

As custom framers, of course we had to find ways to incorporate custom framing into our wedding celebration!

After years of helping clients frame their most meaningful memories, it was especially exciting to turn our attention to a milestone of our own. We recently got married, and naturally, we couldn’t resist adding a few personal touches inspired by what we do every day.

How We Included Custom Framing for Weddings

Custom framing for weddings is a wonderful way to bring personality, elegance, and thoughtful design into wedding décor, while creating keepsakes that will last long after the festivities are over. And, as we learned firsthand, even professional custom framers can encounter a few unexpected surprises along the way!

Making a First Impression with a Framed Welcome Sign

A wedding welcome sign is one of the first things guests see when they arrive, setting the tone for the celebration. Rather than using a standard easel sign or a display provided by the venue, we chose to frame ours.

A thoughtfully selected frame can turn a simple printed sign into a beautiful decorative feature. The frame style, finish, and proportions can be coordinated with the wedding’s overall aesthetic, from classic and romantic to modern and understated.

For couples planning their own celebrations, a framed welcome sign also offers an opportunity to introduce a personal design element that can be carried throughout the event. Better yet, the frame can be reused after the wedding for a favorite photograph, artwork, or other special memory.

An Elegant Approach to the Wedding Seating Chart

Seating charts are a practical necessity at many weddings, but that doesn’t mean they have to look purely functional. We incorporated a framed seating chart into our wedding décor, transforming a simple list of names and table assignments into an attractive display.

Custom framing offers countless possibilities for creating a seating chart that feels intentional and beautifully integrated into the setting. Depending on the number of guests and the overall design, couples might choose one large statement frame, a collection of coordinating smaller frames, or individual framed lists arranged on a decorative table.

Framing Our Signature Cocktails

One of our favorite smaller details was using photo frames to display our signature cocktails at the bars. It was a simple addition, but one that helped make the bar areas feel more personalized and polished. Rather than relying on standard tabletop signs, we used attractive frames to present the drink selections.

This is an especially easy idea for couples to incorporate into their own weddings. Small decorative frames can be used for cocktail menus, bar signage, dessert descriptions, table numbers, or even fun facts about the couple. Coordinating these smaller frames with the larger pieces creates a consistent visual theme throughout the venue.

A Wedding “Guestbook” with a Framing Twist

One of the most meaningful framing ideas we incorporated was a signed matboard.

Instead of using a traditional guestbook, we invited friends and family to write their well wishes directly onto the matboard surrounding a photograph. After the wedding, the plan was to replace that photograph with one of our favorite wedding portraits and have the signed mat professionally framed. It is a wonderful way to transform guests’ handwritten messages into something that can be displayed and enjoyed every day.

However, we have one important piece of advice: Choose your placeholder photograph carefully!

For our display, we selected a photograph of our beloved dog, Ellie, who had recently passed away. We wanted her to be part of our special day in some way, and including her photograph felt like a lovely tribute.

What we didn’t anticipate was that some guests would think the display was a memorial for Ellie rather than a wedding guestbook! As a result, several people wrote heartfelt messages addressed to her instead of congratulations to us.

It was an unexpected and rather touching mix-up. In the end, the matboard became an even more personal keepsake, filled with love for both our marriage and a very special member of our family.

For anyone considering this idea, we recommend using a photograph of the couple or a clearly labeled placeholder with a note explaining that a wedding photograph will be added later. It’s also important to use an appropriate pen and matboard so the messages can be preserved. Working with a professional framer ensures the signatures are positioned correctly and that the final photograph can be installed without covering those thoughtful notes.

Other Creative Custom Framing Ideas for Weddings

Our wedding reminded us how many opportunities there are to make traditional wedding details more personal through framing. Here are a few additional ideas we love for couples looking to add something unexpected to their celebration.

Framed Place Cards That Double as Wedding Favors

Imagine arriving at your table and finding your name displayed in a beautiful miniature frame. Instead of traditional paper place cards, each guest receives a personalized framed card that also serves as a take-home gift.

Couples might use frames in a coordinated style or mix vintage-inspired designs for a more eclectic look. After the wedding, guests can replace their name cards with personal photographs, giving the frames a second life.

A Framed Family Tree

Weddings bring families and generations together, making them a perfect occasion to celebrate family history. A beautifully framed family tree can feature photographs of parents, grandparents, and other relatives, creating a meaningful display that connects the couple’s past with their future.

For a more contemporary interpretation, individual framed family photographs can be arranged together on a dedicated table or wall. Including wedding portraits from previous generations adds a particularly touching element.

A display can also honor loved ones who are no longer with us, allowing their presence to be felt during the celebration.

A Gallery Wall of Your Story

A wedding is a celebration of the journey that brought two people together. Why not tell that story through a collection of framed photographs?

Consider creating a gallery featuring photographs from the couple’s first date, favorite travels, engagement, and other memorable milestones. Mixing frame sizes and styles can give the display an intimate, collected-over-time quality, while coordinating frames can create a more formal presentation. After the wedding, those same photographs can become a gallery wall in the couple’s home.

Framed Table Numbers and Menus

Table numbers and menus present another opportunity to elevate the dining experience. Small frames can hold beautifully printed table numbers, personalized menus, or even photographs that correspond with each table’s theme. For example, tables could be named after favorite travel destinations, each featuring a framed photograph from that location. This approach brings storytelling into the reception while replacing generic venue signage with something more distinctive.

A Framed Wedding Invitation

Once the celebration is over, the invitation itself deserves consideration. Custom framing can preserve the invitation alongside meaningful details such as a photograph, a pressed flower from the bouquet, a piece of ribbon, or other wedding keepsakes. A shadowbox allows three-dimensional objects to be incorporated into the design, creating a lasting reminder of the day.

For a particularly elegant presentation, a beautiful mat and carefully selected frame can turn the invitation’s typography and artwork into a decorative piece.

Wedding Details Worth Keeping

One of the things we appreciate most about custom framing is its ability to transform something ordinary into something personal and lasting. That philosophy guided many of our wedding design decisions.

Standard wedding signs and displays certainly serve their purpose, but they aren’t always particularly memorable. Choosing frames that reflect your personal style can turn those functional elements into thoughtful design features that feel like part of the celebration rather than simply part of the venue setup. Unlike many decorations that are packed away or discarded afterward, framed pieces can be repurposed, displayed at home, or passed down as keepsakes.

Our own wedding was a joyful reminder of why we love what we do. We had the opportunity to bring our professional expertise into a deeply personal occasion, surrounded by people we love, with a few framing-inspired details that made the day feel distinctly ours.

Even our little guestbook misunderstanding became part of the story we’ll remember fondly.

Planning a wedding or another special celebration? At Walter Adams Framing, we’d be delighted to help you explore creative ways to incorporate custom framing into your event. We can help make the details of your celebration as memorable as the occasion itself. 

View our San Francisco picture framing store locations here!