Instagram has replaced the humble disposable camera as a way to crowdsource your wedding photographs. Even with a professional photographer capturing the main moments, it’s nice to see the day through the eyes of your loved ones. By using a personalized Instagram hashtag the images are instant, saving the wait for printing and waiting for guests to send their pics to you. We’ve picked out 7 ways for you to get connected and use Instagram in your wedding.

1. Drink Stirrers

We are obsessing over these drink stirrers. You can print out your favorite Instagram pic and have your hashtag printed onto the other side. This is a great way to include social media if you only want to include your hashtag in a subtle way.

2. DIY Save-The-Date Stickers

Why not include Instagram in your DIY save-the-date cards?  You can print out an Instagram picture and turn it into a sticker. Affix them to your save-the-date cards with instructions for your guests to stick the photo onto their calendars. (Photo: Something Turquoise.)

3. Print the Hashtag

For a truly interactive wedding, you can keep track of the images that are uploaded onto your Instagram hashtag. The Instaparty Box prints out all of the uploads as they arrive. This is lovely as you can see what your guests are seeing. Then at the end of the night you can collect them up to look at before bed.

4. Mini Sign 

For a cute way to show off your hashtag, opt for mini signs displayed at each table. The small squares mimic the size of an Instagram shot which adds a nice detail. We love these mini signs as an alternative to having a larger one placed at the welcome table.

5. DIY Photo Blocks

With all of the amazing images that you will be collecting from your wedding, it’s time to think about what to do with them. Check out our tutorial for these fab DIY Instagram Photo Blocks. You can also make these before the wedding and display a few couple portraits.

6. Printable Sign 

The best way to show that your wedding is Instagram friendly is by having a prominently placed sign. This is also an opportunity to step up your decor. Here is a gorgeous sign for you to print out for free from Pretty Little Palace.

7. Photo Scavenger Hunt

Turn Instagram photography into a fun game for your guests. Give your guests a handout with a list of shots for them to capture on the day and upload onto Instagram. Different shots could include food, photobombing or photos with the bride and groom. Great activity for them and bonus behind the scenes photos for you.

Photo one: ruffledblog.com; Photo two: somethingturquoise.com; Photo three: pinterest.com; Photo four: eatsleepcuddle.com; Photo five: Intimate Weddings; Photo six: Pretty Little Palace; Photo seven: stevecowellphoto.com

Incredibly similar to navy – just slightly darker in tone – midnight blue is an excellent color to play around with on your wedding day. Despite being as dark as it is, it’s quite a versatile hue, effortlessly switching between preppy and rustic palettes, and going from classic to modern without missing a beat. Truly a color for all seasons, here are five ways to use it on your wedding day.

Navy and pink are a pretty classic color combination, so it makes sense that midnight blue would pair equally well with both blush and magenta shades for a sophisticated spring palette.

If pink isn’t your thing, perhaps this light and fun blue and purple palette is more your speed.

We love the idea of using this color palette for a non-traditional winter wedding, but really it would work any time of the year.

Two shades of blue and two different metallics make this color scheme an ultra modern choice for couples looking to step outside the box a little on their wedding day.

How gorgeous is this fall color palette? Combined with midnight blue, orange and yellow have never looked prettier!

Photo one: stylemepretty.com; Photo two: lovemydress.net; Photo three: elizabethannedesigns.com; Photo four: ruffledblog.com; Photo five: greenweddingshoes.com

Table runners are a great addition to a wedding tablescape. Runners are a great finishing touch, that can work with a multitude of table designs. Bare wooden tables look lovely with them as do white tablecloths that need an injection of color; for a layered look. We’ve selected 10 table runners for you to be inspired by.

1. Bold and Bright

This table runner takes inspiration from the style of a Mexican blanket. The bold design will fit in perfectly with a bohemian wedding and accessorized with cacti and vibrant floral arrangements.

2. Thinking of Turquoise 

Patterned dinnerware doesn’t require much to make the table stand out. A turquoise runner with potted floral centerpieces will enhance the plates.

3. Black and White

You can’t go wrong with a monochrome palette. Black and white are a classic pairing and including stripes modernizes the look. The thin stripes on this runner are subtle enough to give the table another element that isn’t overwhelming.

4. String Art 

How cool is this! For the creative couple, look no further than a bit of string art on your table runner. A potential DIY project that is well worth it.

5. Oversized Flowers

Floral table runners are so gorgeous. The extravagance of the flowers means that you can get away with keeping the rest of your decor very simple. Tall candles and dark wooden tables are ideal companions.

6. Numbered Runners 

Table runners don’t just have to be about style. Give them some more substance by doubling them up as table numbers. Have your numbers printed on burlap for a rustic touch.

7. Sheer Romance

Draping a soft fabric over your tablecloth in a delicate pink will have your guests swooning.

8. Falling Blooms

We love the look of these flowers cascading from the end of the table. They are all the flowers that you’ll need in the space and will add to the overall decor of the venue.

9. A Little Lace

For quaint vintage nuptials, a lace runner with small jars of flowers is such a pretty way to decorate your tables. Mismatched plates and floral napkins will add to the tea party look.

10. In Love with Lemon

Lemons will give you a fresh and fragrant table runner. When combined with pink and white floral arrangements it has a Mediterranean style with a difference. This certainly proves that runners don’t always have to come in the form of a fabric!

Photo one: wildwhim.com; Photo two: carolineghetes.com; Photo three: jackiewonders.com; Photo four: 100layercake.com; Photo five: lemagnifiqueblog.com; Photo six: weddingchicks.com; Photo seven: holeighvphotography.com; Photo eight: stylemepretty.com; Photo nine: christiegrahamphotography.com; Photo ten: jasmine-star.com

Take one creative couple (and one amazing beard), throw in an 1800’s lighthouse overlooking Lake Superior, add a cookie cake, and you have everything you need to make up today’s magical Michigan elopement.

After 7 months of dating, Destiny and Jess decided to make things official atop the Big Bay Point Lighthouse with just their officiant, their talented photographer Jesse David Green, and their witness – the owner of the inn – present, in what can only be described as one of the most romantic elopements we’ve ever seen.

Destiny, 23 & Jess, 28

Big Bay, Michigan

Wedding Date: May 23, 2014

Number of Guests: 0

Wedding Cost:  $2,500 with two nights in a lighthouse and outfits and cookie cake

Wedding Ceremony Location: Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast

Wedding Reception Location: Oh, we are having a party at our good friend’s diner in Atlanta, Georgia. Homegrown is where Jess used to have breakfast every day before we moved and they are the best folks around.

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted to focus on one another and not worry about trying to please everybody. As selfish as it sounds, we wanted this event to be about us and what we wanted to get out of it.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Well Jess was already working in Michigan, and Destiny was still in Atlanta, Georgia so that presented some difficulty in planning. On top of that, finding a lighthouse that will let you in the top is tough, but finding a photographer and a minister locally (or willing to travel up to the only available lighthouse) made for a lot of phone calls. Big Bay is north of Marquette and was the closest courthouse to get our marriage license, but we ended up finding the marriage license laws and our awesome minister via my grandmother who once we put the word out started calling around. In fact, when we got out marriage license, Tanya at the Marquette courthouse said: “How is Lynda (grandma) doing?” and they had spoken six weeks prior.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

Surprisingly, no. We told our families together at dinner a few weeks before and they were very supportive; surprisingly supportive.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Getting to yell that we were married from the top of the lighthouse. And Destiny got us a cookie cake as our wedding cake and we didn’t have to share it with anybody, ha!

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

We were relaxed and did things on our own time. Nobody had a schedule for us to adhere to.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Make sure not to stress, and focus on creating the memories you want to keep with you FOREVER. And hire a good photographer to capture those memories, especially since you’ll need to share the moment with your friends and family.

Vendors:

Photographer: Jesse David Green

Fall in love with the sophisticated charm of Spain by going for a Spanish inspired wedding. Bring in latin influences with breathtaking colors, good food and rustic touches.

Mantilla veils are the ideal choice for a Spanish styled wedding. They are effortlessly romantic and complement a variety of dresses, especially lace. For fuss-free centerpieces, vibrant tin cans with bright blooms will create a fiesta atmosphere. Spanish cuisine is delicious and full of flavor, making it a great menu choice. Serve paella and tapas for a home cooked feel.

With a focus on deep reds and eye-catching colors, you can start with a clean base. White linens with geometric tiles have a Mediterranean flair which you can still add brighter decor to. Loose waves with bold red lips are good bridal beauty options for this theme. Rustic table settings with fresh fruit and wooden details will make your Spanish menu stand out.

These intricate laser-cut invitations are a match for your Mediterranean inspired nuptials. The design has architectural details, that will look stunning when they arrive in your guests’ mailboxes. A lace tablecloth with cobalt blue glassware and lanterns, will transform the look of your outdoor tables.

A detailed lace dress gives a nod to Spain’s rich lace heritage. A sangria bar is a fun and refreshing choice for your reception. You can also serve a variety of  fruits for your guests to mix in with their drinks. Make like a flamenco dancer with flowers in your hair, as an accessory for a side bun.

A centerpiece overflowing with zesty flowers has a Latin touch with the addition of Spanish table numbers.

Photo one: aljosavidetic.com; Photo two: stylemepretty.com; Photo three: cravemag.com; Photo four: amalieorrangephotography.com; Photo five: magnoliarouge.com; Photo six: josevillablog.com; Photo seven: ohsobeautifulpaper.com; Photo eight: brittrenephoto.com; Photo nine: weddingchicks.com; Photo ten: larahotz.com; Photo eleven: lemagnifiqueblog.com; Photo twelve: lunaphoto.com