How to Plan Ahead for Custom Wedding Framing
Your wedding day will fly by—but the memories can last a lifetime when you plan ahead to preserve them. At Walter Adams Framing, we believe that custom framing of wedding items isn’t just about protecting keepsakes—it’s about honoring them. With a little thoughtful preparation before the big day, couples can create one-of-a-kind pieces that beautifully commemorate their celebration.
Think Ahead: Save What Matters Most
The key to great custom framing for your wedding keepsakes starts with preparation. Long before the ceremony begins, start thinking about the items you might want to preserve. These details tell your story—and they deserve to be framed with care. Here are just a few ideas of what to set aside:
- Wedding invitations and Save-the-Dates – These printed pieces mark the beginning of your wedding journey and can look stunning when float-mounted or paired with complementary mat colors.
- Handwritten vows – If you’ve written your own, consider saving a clean copy to be framed as a sentimental reminder.
- Bouquet elements – Press a few flowers from your bouquet or boutonniere to incorporate into a shadowbox design.
- Wedding favors or place cards – Small objects like monogrammed tags or unique paper goods can add a personal touch to framed displays.
- Fabric swatches – Bits of lace from a dress alteration, ribbon from the bouquet, or even your table linens can be creatively framed as a textile keepsake.
Wedding Shadowboxes, Mats, and More
Custom framing goes beyond simple borders. At Walter Adams Framing, we offer shadowbox displays that are perfect for 3-dimensional keepsakes. A wedding garter, ring box, or even a preserved boutonniere can be arranged in a beautiful, museum-quality display.
Matboards and frame finishes can also be selected to complement your wedding colors, venue style, or home décor. Whether you’re going for a classic look, something minimalist and modern, or rustic romance, our team will guide you in choosing materials that make your memories shine.
Prepare a Piece that Guests Can Help Create
One thoughtful way to involve your guests and create a lasting memory is by planning a signature mat ahead of time. We can custom-cut a mat to surround a photo—such as an engagement portrait—and leave a wide border for guests to sign at the wedding. Display it on a table at the reception with archival pens, and after the big day, simply swap in a favorite wedding photo from the event. You’ll end up with a beautifully framed piece that not only showcases a special moment but is also filled with heartfelt messages from the people who shared it with you.
Don’t Forget the Photos
Once your photographer delivers your wedding portraits, it’s the perfect time to plan out your photo framing. We’re happy to work directly with your photographer—or with you—to design custom pieces that highlight the best moments of your day. Whether it’s a gallery wall of wedding party photos or a showstopping large-format portrait of the two of you, we can help bring those images to life in frames that fit your space.
We recommend selecting a few standout photos ahead of time and thinking about where you’d like to display them in your home. This will help guide size and style decisions and make the process much more seamless.
Start Early for Custom Wedding Framing
The earlier you start planning your custom wedding framing, the more possibilities you’ll have. It’s never too soon to reach out—even if your wedding date is still months away. We can offer advice on what to save, how to store delicate items, and timelines for post-wedding framing appointments.
Your wedding may last one day, but the details you choose to preserve can bring joy for years to come. Let Walter Adams Framing help you create lasting reminders of one of the most meaningful days of your life.Ready to get started? Contact us at one of our San Francisco picture framing stores to schedule a consultation—we’d love to hear your ideas.
