10 unique save the date photo ideas
There are so many ways to get creative with save the date photos—it’s one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. What better way to do that than with beautifully designed online save the dates. Not only do save the dates give your guests important information like the wedding location, the big date, and a wedding website link, they also can showcase your love story with the design and photos chosen.
Save the dates speak to guests without words—using colors, layout, and most importantly photos, to set a tone and give guests a little glimpse into what the wedding itself will be like. Your save the date photo card is not only practical but is a great digital photo keepsake to cherish for years down the road. Many couples take engagement photos and then use one for their photo save the date. Not taking engagement photos? You can schedule a special save the date photoshoot instead.
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Save the date photo ideas
Below are some of our favorite creative ideas for photo ops that you can recreate for your save the dates. You can also keep in mind the theme of your wedding when planning, to offer a sneak peek of what’s to come.
1. Take a selfie
With so much technology at our fingertips, nearly everyone has a phone with a camera. And in some cases, a pretty fantastic camera. If you want to skip the expense of an engagement shoot, you can do it yourself and with a beautiful selfie. It’s fun and budget-friendly for you, and your guests will love the informal yet personal vibe.
2. Embrace the elements
Often once you book your save the date photoshoot, you can’t reschedule. That means sometimes you’ll have to brave the elements, no matter the weather. Raining? Have your photographer capture you two sharing a sweet kiss underneath an umbrella. Snowing? Throw on your most stylish puffer and have a photoshoot among the snowflakes. These kinds of photos are one of a kind, and might even turn out better than your original plan.
3. Use a black and white photo
There’s nothing that suggests an elegant wedding quite like a beautiful black and white picture. If your wedding is formal, it is a great option. Wear your best engagement photoshoot outfits (think Sunday best or cocktail attire) and choose your favorite shot. Then ask your photographer to edit it to be black and white, so you can use it for your save the date.
4. Search for fall foliage
This is one of the more unique save the date photo ideas we’ve come across. And it’s perfect if you’re planning a fall wedding. Consider taking photos with fall foliage in the background. Plan your photoshoot at a local park, botanical garden, forest, or even in the mountains to capture amazing photos. A great photographer with a good eye will be able to get the perfect shot once you explain what you want.
5. Make a photo collage
If you can’t decide on a favorite image to choose for your save the date photos, why don’t you use them all? A photo collage is a great way to showcase the many different sides of your relationship. A photo collage allows you to include a number of photos like a romantic, silly, and serious photo, all in one save the date card. This way, you get to utilize a number of photos from your photoshoot instead of just one.
6. Show off your puppy love
If you and your significant other own a furry friend, this idea is a sweet way to showcase your little family. Especially if your venue won’t allow pets to be involved in your ceremony, it’s a great way to incorporate them in some way. Want to take this save the date photo idea to the next level? Write your wedding date on a small sign to hang on your pup’s collar. If this isn’t your style, you can include the wedding date in your save the date wording.
7. Get the action shot
If you’re an active, outdoorsy couple, have your photographer get an action shot of you two hiking, fishing, kayaking, swimming, or enjoying an activity that you love to do together. This is one of the most fun save the date picture ideas we’ve encountered. The photo itself will be playful and joyful and really showcases your personality as a couple.
8. Make a photo collage
If you can’t decide on a favorite image to choose for your save the date photos, why don’t you use them all? A photo collage is a great way to showcase the many different sides of your relationship. A photo collage allows you to include a number of photos like romantic, silly, and serious photos, all in one save the date card. This way, you get to utilize a number of photos from your photoshoot instead of just one.
9. Use a throwback photo
You can skip the photo shoot for this save the date photo idea. Embrace the nostalgia of how it all started with one or more old photos of you two. If you and your future spouse were high school sweethearts, use a photo from your high school days. Or, if you two have known each other since kindergarten, showcase a side-by-side picture from then and now. A throwback photo is a great way to give your guests a look back at the beginning of your relationship as you invite them to the next stage of it.
10. Hint at your venue or destination
If you know where you plan to get married, reflect the destination in your photo. For example, if you are having a tropical destination wedding, have a save the date photoshoot on the beach. Or, take a picture in front of the skyline of the city you’ll be getting married in. This is a great way to give your guests a sneak peek of what they can expect from the wedding. After all, the reason why you should send save the dates is to announce your wedding and get your guests excited.
Find your save the date inspiration
Remember, sending a save the date is one of the earlier steps in planning your upcoming wedding, so it’s perfectly OK if you haven’t finalized all the wedding details such as the exact time of the ceremony or the color palette of the formal invitation. Because of this flexibility, there are so many different ways to get creative with save the date photos. If you’re at a loss, ask your photographer to help you brainstorm something unique. You can also ask friends and family for ideas. You never know, one might just stick. Once you have your save the date photos ready, be sure to send them early— it’s proper save the date etiquette. To get more ideas and inspiration for your save the dates, check out our collection of elegant designs.
