One of our favorite wedding ideas is the use of Polaroid (aka Instax) cameras. Sure, they’re a throwback, vintage-inspired idea, but Polaroids are a consistent crowd-pleaser. Today we’re sharing seven fun ideas for using Polaroids at weddings including a polaroid guest book, a life-size Polaroid photo booth backdrop (use it for your wedding, bachelorette party, or outdoor party this summer!), a Polaroid cake topper, and more. We’ve also located the supplies you’ll need to make these a reality. Read on to find out more…

Polaroids at Weddings: 7 Fun Ideas

1. Polaroid Guest Book

Up first is the unique Polaroid guest book, an idea I wish I had known about for my own wedding.

How It Works

To make a Polaroid guest book, you’ll want to gather the following:

– Polaroid camera
– film (tons and tons of it)
– blank journal or scrapbook
– glue or double-sided tape
– fine-point markers (these are my favorite)

On a table, display a sign that tells guests to use a camera to take a photo and sign your guest book. You can either have guests take a photo and hang on a clothesline with clothespins (see above) or place the photographs inside a book (see below). Since this will be a new idea for many guests, you’ll want to include a sign that gives clear directions (something simple like, “Snap a photo and sign our guest book” will do the trick).

Guests will take a photo, print, and stick it in your guest book while signing their name underneath. The bride and groom should take the first photos as an example for guests to follow.

If you opt for hanging the photos instead, you can compile the completed photos in a scrapbook of your own after the wedding.

2. Polaroid Save the Date Magnets

If you plan to use Polaroids at your wedding, consider sending a themed save the date magnet to guests to kick off the fun. We spotted these over at Fifth Vintage and love them. You can have filters applied to give your save the dates a vintage look.

3. Polaroid Escort Cards / Seating Charts

Think outside the box: skip a traditional seating chart and use Polaroids instead! Here are three inspiring examples:

If you’re wondering, but Emma, how in the heck do I get all of those photos?! the answer is simple: Facebook. Oh, and clever sleuthing for those who are not on Facebook. You can pull up a user’s profile pic, snap a photo (or print it out and glue to a makeshift Polaroid-inspired cut-out), and assemble the photos in alphabetical order. Write the guest’s table assignment on the back so they know where to be seated. For guests not on Facebook, ask friends or family members to grab a (copy of a) photograph for you to use.

4. Polaroid Cake Topper

Ah, one of my favorite ideas: a polaroid cake topper! This one’s easy: he snaps a photo, she snaps a photo, and the photos are placed into the top of a cake using a simple place card holder.

5. Life Size Polaroid Photobooth Backdrop

Make your own Polaroid photo booth backdrop using foam board. Guests can stand behind it for their photo to be taken. (‘Employ’ someone to be your photographer or have guests take photos of each other.)

6. Polaroid Place Cards

If you prefer a personal touch to place cards, consider using Polaroids! I think this would be pretty time consuming for each place setting (the seating chart above would be, too, but I think it’s too cool an idea to pass up) so you can always just make them for the bride and groom or wedding party.

7. Polaroid Wedding Favors

Need a unique favor? Check out these mini polaroid magnets! You could have them made using your favorite engagement photos.

Which of these polaroid ideas is your favorite?

♥
-E.