If you’ve ever had any lengthy conversations with me about the flow of events, you may already know my love/hate relationship with slideshows. While, I find them as touching as the next person, creating and maintaining energy at a celebration is an art…one a slideshow can kill almost instantly. Seriously. While, I have seen them done successfully, they are tricky little numbers. If you’re considering one for your wedding or party, here are a few tips to consider:
1. Consider showing the slideshow at the family dinner or welcome party rather than the wedding. If the goal of your wedding is to keep people interacting whether it be through conversation or dancing, a slideshow during dinner or even worse in between dance sets, can wreak havoc on this plan.
2. If you have to show the slideshow on the wedding day, consider setting it up on a blank wall or ceiling and have it looping throughout the evening. This allows guests to enjoy the slideshow at their leisure and doesn’t stop the party in any way. Also, depending on the setup can add a fun design element.
3. If you must show it at the wedding and you must incorporate it into the timeline, try to play it in between the entree and dessert course. There is a natural pause at this time as guests digest their meal. However, try not to pile the toasts in immediately before or after as it’s just too much at once and can result in boredom.
4. Keep the slideshow to 3 to 5 minutes. Tops. I know the wedding day is all about you, but no one wants to look at baby pictures for 20 minutes. They just don’t. The goal is to always leave guests wanting more, not to put them to sleep.
5. If a friend or relative is making the slideshow for you {which happens a lot} have someone you trust prescreen the slideshow for content and timing. Surprises are good when they’re good and absolutely tragic when they are bad. You saw “27 Dresses”, right? If not, just trust me on this one…
