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11/14/08
Why Everyone Should Have a Photo Montage Played at Their Wedding or Special Event.
By: B. Dwire
So you’ve set the date, hired your photographer and videographer (if you’re smart), picked the venue, chosen the contents of the menu and asked those special someones to stand beside you at the altar. What more is there to think about?
If you said a “Photo Montage”, you’ve just won a free subscription to the “Cake of the Month Club”.
In all seriousness, a photo montage is a must for your next big event. But what exactly do I mean by “photo montage”?
A photo montage is a collection of two or more still photographs made into a movie. Most often this “picture movie” will be set to music but may also contain such elements as titles, sound bites and special effects. To see an example of a photo montage click here.
Let me back up and say that I am NOT referring to an amateurish video looping in the corner of the room where your guests are straining to see over Aunt Lucille’s big hair and trying to hear the audio over the Jazz Band. What I AM talking about is a professionally done, Major Motion Picture. Ok…not Raider’s of the Lost Ark, but a movie starring who else, but…You! Better yet, you and your newly acquired better half.
So if this movie shouldn’t be played in the corner (please don’t), then where and when should it be shown?
If we are talking about your wedding, I strongly suggest that you make your Movie Debut a big deal. This means that after everyone is done with their chicken, baked potato and green beans, and before you cut and serve the cake, you show your movie.
Make the announcement (asking everyone to return to their seats), dim the lights and start the movie! By the way…you must have the video shown on a white screen via a projector. Make sure the screen is in a well chosen, easily viewable location (such as the dance floor), so everyone can see the action. Be sure to make use of the band’s sound system as well if at all possible. You don’t want anyone left out on the fun so make sure all guests in every seat around the room can see and hear everything that is taking place.
Ok…so I’ve told you all the details surrounding the photo montage and hopefully I’ve talked you into having one done. What I haven’t said yet is WHY you need to have one of these things in the first place. Here are just a few reasons to consider before making up your mind.
First and foremost, there’s the “Crowd” factor. Ask yourself this question… “When will I ever have all of these friends, family, coworkers, etc. all in one place again?” I guess this may happen when you kick the bucket, but who wants to think about that, right? I have seen it with my own eyes…Mom, Dad, Aunt Lucille (with the big hair), Uncle Fred, your best friend, Jan, your cousin Steve from Vermont and Tom from accounting…all watching the same thing at the same time. Laughing and crying in all the right places, oohhing and aahhing in unison. It’s a riot and an emotionally writhing tearfest all at once. Trust me when I tell you that people will be talking about your wedding/special event for months long after they’ve left the building.
Second, you have the unique opportunity to introduce your spouse to (or better acquaint him with), your loved ones or other important people who may not yet know him. Some people may just live too far away and the distance factor has caused these folks to posses a “by proxy” relationship with your future spouse. Or perhaps you hadn’t been dating long enough before he popped the question to show him off at every family and social event. This is your chance to allow those you love to fall in love with the one you love. In fact, a photo montage is the perfect vehicle to accomplish your mission since these personal life stories translated into movie format tend to make people like anyone, even if the subject’s personality leaves a lot to be desired. So do it up and do it up good, because this your chance to make a good first impression and therefore, acquire more “marital blessings” than you know what to do with.
Lastly, photo montages make a fabulous gift. Maybe it’s your daughter or son who is tying the knot or it’s your sister who is turning 40. What better way to show you care than to purchase (and project), their life story to a room full of people who matter to them? What’s even better is that your loved one will receive the movie on DVD to watch over and over again. Let’s not forget that your gift will be the one that keeps on giving. After all, their future children will want to watch it, too!