Custom Photo Collage

the idea

A framed custom photo collage of the guest of honor at different stages of their life makes both a thoughtful gift and entertaining tabletop display

the how

Ask friends and family to contribute old photos of the guest of honor to create a framed collage of their name, initials, title, age, or year of birth
Present to the guest of honor as a unique gift with sentimental value
Display on bars, welcome area tables, buffets, or dessert tables to entertain guests at the party

custom number 30 photo collage sign on an easel

the why

TABLETOP DÉCOR

Enhances; adds height and fullness to bars, food stations, and occasional tables to create larger displays
Focal points; decorating bars, food stations, or occasional tables encourages mingling by creating destinations for guests to explore
Visibility; tall / tabletop decorations are easier to see when the room is full of people
Interactive; tabletop décor can be used to entertain guests with ‘Fun Facts’ or ‘Through the Years’ photo collages of the guest of honor

framed 2020 custom year graduation photo collage

BFF custom word photo collage framed on the wall

the why

this idea

Special occasions should feel special; generic ‘off the shelf’ decorations are lazy and unimaginative
Personalized; customized decorations are more special and show you made an effort
Custom photo; opportunity to show the guest of honor at different ages ‘through the years’
Funny; quirky, lighthearted, or self-deprecating decorations will make guests smile
Entertaining; guests may not have seen funny or embarrassing old photos of the guest of honor
Memorable; guests remember creative, unusual, or unexpected decorations
Collaborative; allows guests to contribute and makes everyone feel included
Photo-worthy; a great photo-op for guests to share and tag on social media
Inexpensive; a cost-effective party idea that won’t blow your budget
Printable; multiple copies can be printed to decorate different areas at the party
Keepsake; captures memories for the guest of honor to revisit in future

BOSS custom word photo collage framed on the wall

framed custom number 21 photo collage poster

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

“Rather than only draw upon your own collection, considering asking friends and family members to lend you some of their photos of the guest of honor from significant periods of their life.

That way you might discover some less familiar photos—perhaps even some the guest of honor might have forgotten or never even seen before.

If you want to include old printed photos, these can be transferred to a digital format very inexpensively nowadays ($20-$30 for 100 photos, link below) and it’s a great opportunity to preserve them for years to come.

If you choose a printable version, you can frame one to use as part of your main display, say on a dessert table, which can also double as a keep-sake gift. You can then also print off multiple copies to decorate other areas, such as occasional tables, bathrooms, welcome desks, or use as dining table place settings.”