How to Include Family Photos in Your Wedding Décor

From photo charms on your bouquet to a gallery wall at the reception, be inspired by these ideas!

To honor family throughout the reception, pairs may choose to display photos of themselves and their family members' wedding days on escort card tables, arrange them on a gallery wall at the cocktail hour, or showcase the images entirely on their own display – or even a "family tree" for an outdoor celebration.

bride-and-family-holding-bouquet-and-gold-locket-with-photos-in-it-of-family
Photo: Abby Jiu Photography

Though weddings are focused on the couple's love for one another, they are also rooted in the love and support of their families. Family traditions take center stage primarily during the wedding ceremony; however, the entire day is often filled with words of support, love, and joy from parents of the bride and groom, as well as siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and more.

Regardless of whether or not you choose to incorporate familial customs on your big day, there are a number of other ways to honor family throughout your celebration – particularly when it comes to the décor. Some brides choose to add charms to their bouquets that showcase photos of loved ones who are no longer with them, while grooms do the same with locket-style cuff links. Family photos at your wedding can also be incorporated into paper goods, such as ceremony programs, fans, etc.

Other couples choose to display framed family photographs on accent tables in between ceremony seating or on the same displays where yarmulkes (for Jewish weddings) and programs are set. To honor family throughout the reception, pairs may choose to display photos of themselves and their family members' wedding days on escort card tables, arrange them on a gallery wall at the cocktail hour, or showcase the images entirely on their own display – or even a "family tree" for an outdoor celebration. 

Gather more ideas from the images below – all from real weddings featured in the pages of Inside Weddings or on InsideWeddings.com. Click the link below each photo to see more from these celebrations!

Wedding Bouquet Charms

Locket-Style Cuff Links

Groom with cuff links holding family photos mother father grandparents parents

Photo by Kristin Spencer Photography; From Real Wedding: Elegant Rhode Island Wedding with Nature Theme

Framed Family Photo Display

Large bird cage with framed family photos at wedding ceremony reception outdoors alfresco

Photo by Elizabeth Messina; From Real Wedding: Sophisticated & Personalized Beverly Hills Wedding

Jewish Ceremony Kippot Table

Wedding ceremony Jewish yarmulke table with family photos in frames

Photo by Embrace Life Photography; Floral Design by The Hidden Garden; Planning & Design by Linda Howard Events; From Real Wedding: Elegant California Wedding with Sophisticated Décor

DIY Polaroid Photo Display

Family photos polaroids on twine with clothespins wedding reception ceremony outdoor

Photo by Heather Kincaid; Planning & Design by Tessa Lyn Events; From Real Wedding: Romantic Outdoor Wedding with Soft, Rustic Elements & Lush Florals

Family Tree at Outdoor Wedding

Family tree at wedding ceremony chalkboard sign rustic wedding family photos frames on tree

Photo by Paul Barnett Photography; From Real Wedding: Bohemian Outdoor Garden Wedding Ceremony & Rustic Reception

Framed Photos by Ceremony Seating

Family photos in crystal frames on mirror tables at wedding ceremony in between seats

Photo by John Solano Photography; Planning & Design by Alyson Fox, Levine Fox Events

Gallery Wall

Framed photos of couple and family on gallery wall at rehearsal dinner

Photo by Jose Villa Photography; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; From Real Event: Incredible Rooftop Rehearsal Dinner with Striking Striped Tent

Escort Card Table

Mirror escort card table with place cards and photos of family members in frames

Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Elegant Wedding with Blush, Ivory, and Gold Palette in Chicago

Escort cards on flower petals with photos of family members on table

Photo by Mi Belle Photographers; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; From Real Wedding: Colorful Outdoor Wedding with Supper Club Theme in Los Angeles, CA

Monogram mirror table escort cards with flower arrangements and framed family photos

Photo by Christian Oth Studio; From Real Wedding: Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony + Glamorous New York City Wedding

Dedicated Family Table

Wood table with framed family photos wedding reception ceremony

Photo by Cooper Carras Photography; Planning & Design by Alyson Fox, Levine Fox Events; From Real Wedding: Classic Winter White Wedding in Wine Country

Outdoor wedding table with family photos under tree lanterns bright flowers

Photo by Ryan Ray Photography; From Real Wedding: Outdoor Wedding with Vibrant Pink & Orange Décor in California

Pink texture linen on table outside wedding with framed family photos

Photo by Kortnee Kate; From Real Wedding: Sophisticated Outdoor Wedding Celebration in Cincinnati, Ohio

Wedding Guest Book Table

Wedding Lounge Area

Outdoor oceanfront lounge area with sofas and framed family photos on coffee table

Photo by Love and Water Photography; From Real Wedding: Destination Hawaiian Wedding with Travel + Vintage Theme in Maui

For more ideas, find out how to honor late loved ones at your wedding, learn how to include your family in wedding planning, and browse hundreds of beautiful celebrations on our real weddings page for more inspiration.

Opening photo by Abby Jiu Photography; Month-of Planning by Evoke Design & Creative; From Real Wedding: Chic Parisian Romance-Inspired Spring Wedding in Washington, DC