Your wedding day lasts just that long – one day. It’s the pictures that last a lifetime. I know I’ve already emphasized the importance of a quality wedding photographer. But if you pour over pictures on stylemepretty.com you know good wedding photo props are key. These things usually don’t happen by accident – I mean you may pose in front of a street sign as a last minute decision but those oversize ampersands don’t just appear on the scene. You need to come prepared.

Shopping for wedding photo props is fun! Look through your wedding day inspiration folder – I’m sure you have a physical binder or dedicated folder for these photo downloads you’d like to duplicate. Choose the props that come up most often in your photo folder or the ones that stand out most to you. Here are a few of my favorites:

Ampersands. Your wedding day is about unity – two people becoming one married couple. Ampersands represent the essence of that bond and a wedding in general.

Mustaches. These simple little details add so much fun to your photos.

Chalkboard. You can write anything from you wedding date, a simple heart drawing or thank you for your cards.

It’s tradition to make a bridal bouquet for the wedding rehearsal at the bridal shower. Usually it’s a combination of wrapping paper cut outs and ribbons from all of the gifts the bride receives. Well I found this kit on Etsy from paperplatypus (do I even need to say that’s where I find everything any more?) and find it kind of amazing. It combines that tradition with a classier presentation, making the bouquet a keepsake rather than something that gets tossed before the wedding ceremony even happens.

peony paper perfection

Flowers are a pretty key element at every wedding. They’re carried by the bridal party, pinned to the groomsmen, arranged on reception tables and thrown as petals down the aisle. And having the perfect flower arrangements, especially if your flower picks are in a different season then your ceremony, gets costly pretty quickly. But modern brides have so many alternatives these days, that costly store bought flower arrangements just don’t seem necessary. I am in love with this wildflower covered wedding.

those table numbers are also pretty cute

I love the mismatched buckets, the homemade look, the natural, effortless element it added and the abundance of them everywhere. This modern bride made a great decision when she chose these wildflowers.

make a matching daisy crown for the flower girl?

That little line of daisies is absolutely adorable! And check out the bride – gorgeous.

i love the soft loose waves for wedding day hair

Beach themed weddings are usually more laid back – it’s just the nature of the setting. This can allow you the opportunity to have a little more fun with the reception details. Like with these crab wine bottle holders. When else would it be appropriate to use these little cuties besides at a beach side wedding reception? My Wedding Favors recommends using them as a gift for guests, but purchasing just a few for the reception tables is a great way to extend your beach theme.

crab wine bottle holders

These mini beach chair place cards also offer a way to have a little more fun with your reception table settings. The beach towel stickers are also a simple, do it yourself project that makes this unique element very affordable for any brides working with a budget. Line them all up in sand and decorate with drink umbrellas for a fun way for guests to discover where they’re sitting.

beach chair escort cards