Wedding Blog
Okay. I’ve asked all my BMs, my FSIL, and Mr. Martini for their opinions. I even almost gave up and asked Cly Creations to “surprise us”, because I can’t seem to be able to decide on a picture for our guest signing board. I need to choose one picture by tomorrow, and of course I’m going nuts… because since when was I ever capable of making a decision?
I thought I’d ask the bees for your opinion once again. 
I may or may not listen to the majority, but please humor me and help me choose!
Here are some tips offered to me by various people in regards to choosing a signing board:
I think we were able to narrow down the list to five favorites.
Choice number 1:
Mr. Martini loves this one. I love it too, but you can’t really see our faces. He argues, “Well, I’m sure everyone will know it’s us. It’s our wedding.” He’s got a point there.
Choice number 2:
This one got the most votes from the people I asked, and I have to say that it’s probably my favorite. However, it’s probably not good for a signing board because there are so many other people in the picture, in particular, that running man. A couple of people suggested we crop the sides. If we do that, it would look something like this:
What do you think of the cropped version?
Choice number 3:
I thought this one was simple and sweet, and it’s a good picture of the two of us. We’re not too far away, but there’s enough background space for signatures.
Choice number 4:
Plenty of background, check. Not focusing on the camera, check. No larger than life headshots, check. Looks like a magazine shot, check.
Choice number 5:
Someone thought this picture would look nice for a signature board, since the background is clean.
Which picture is your favorite?
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LOL! “I may or may not listen to the majority.” That SO reminds me of me with Mr. Bruschetta. I’m always asking his opinion, and then (unintentionally, I swear!) doing the opposite of what he recommends!
Okay, back to reading and being helpful…
I LIKE #2 — people can just sign OVER the running man — or #3. The former would look AWESOME with signatures in a silver or gold sharpie, or something similar.
#5!!! Plenty of negative space for signing. And It’s a quiet image and not a jarring facial close-up, as you indicated.
#5 is my second choice, but come on, isn’t your dog part of your family too? 
No 1 and No. 5 are my favs! No. 1 makes you look like a fun couple comfortable in your life. No. 5 makes you look like you are deeply in love.
#3 or #5
I like 1 the best, mostly because it includes your adorable dog. 3 would be my second choice. They’re all great though!
I know you guys are looking forward, but I really like #3 because you CAN see your faces. But besides that I like #1 and #5 a lot as well.
love the first one…though im biased cuz the dog is so cute =P can i ask a question here, who looked after your dog in the without the dog pictures?
#5 - It leaves the most space for writing and the writing will make it look distinctive.
The cropped version of #2… it looks like the two of you walking towards the rest of your life together. 
1 or 4 for me - both are great, urban pics, that really show you two as a couple, rather than just posing for the camera. And if you’re going to hang it up in your home, I think it’s better that you’re not both staring out the whole time!
3 and 5 are are bit too cheesy for me - they’re nice, but a bit too ’standard’.
2 has a nice composition for a picture on the wall, not sure about the signing though.
Love 1, 4, or 5. I would definitely go with one of the ones where you aren’t looking directly at the camera. The photos that look more artsy are probably going to last a little longer in your house, because you’ll get sick of a standard formal portrait (especially once hairstyles and clothes change and it starts to look dated).
#2 CROPPED—it just jumps out the best—such a great action shot where you can still see both your faces. DEFINITELY that one. It looks like such a great scene that would be awesome blown up.
I like 1, 3, and 5.. 1’s my fav though (im a sucker for doggies!)
@chyyfire: @aja0829: @Miss Stiletto:
hahaha, isn’t the dog sooooooo adorable??
but alas, it’s not my dog. it was a random dog that was being walked, at the right time and place. the photographers asked if we can borrow the dog for a few pictures. it really couldn’t have been a more perfect dog. so cute!
#5 - it’s such a cute, intimate photo. I think it’s a great choice to have people sign at your wedding.
#1 or #5…I’m also thinking it’s ease of background and signing…
#1 and #5 no straight looking at the camera, cleaner backgrounds. I think maybe you should decide whether you want a colour pic (and have your guests sign in black) or a black and white pic (and have your guests sign in silver or something that’ll show up well)…
PS You guys are super photogenic!
#5 is my favorite and I think it will be the best one for signing
Tough call. I like #1 the best, but #5 is great, too!
note to my above comment: Both my faves were colour but could be ‘made’ black and white if so desired
I like all of them. Number 1 is my favorite.
#5! I really did like #1 until you said it wasn’t your dog. What is the difference between a random dog and a random person in your picture forever?
And I agree with miss_norris; you guys really are super photogenic!
I love 5. I think 4 is good but I think you guys are too small. 
I agree with everyone who said 5 is good because of the space around you for signing. Honestly - and this won’t be of any help - but they’re all great!
I vote 5!! Lots of room to sign and it’s a very very sweet picture.
I like the first one, with the doggie. I also think it might be hard to write on a black and white picture. What pen would you use to make it show up?
I love love love no. 1 and no. 5! They are all great though, I can see why you’re having such a hard time choosing!
#1
I would say #3 and #5 but I would not have anyone signing the actual picture.
We are doing something similar but we are taking an 8 by 10 (you could do any size) and framing it with a large mat that is several (maybe 4) inches wide all the way around. You present it framed but no glass. They write all over the mat and then afterward you add the glass. If you like the idea of gold or silver, you could get a dark colored mat. you could also match your wedding colors.
This way you can pick what ever picture you want without worrying about were they sign. I like something that has you closer to the camera but you dont have to be looking at it.
I like the cropped #2. interesting proportion and the focus is on you!
#1, I’m really looking more at the dog…
#3 is cute
#4 I think it would be hard to distinguish the pictures, it’s kind of busy
#5 Cute…but I’m wondering why you’re dancing wherever you are…it just looks like you’re out of place…
3 is my favorite! I think it is a beautiful and sweet shot of the two of you.
I love #2. I also love #4. I think #4 would look even better if the picture were B&W and you just had the two of you in color… right now you get a little lost in the picture. This way your eye would instantly draw towards you, but you still have the sax singer and the great trees in the picture without being overwhelming.
I love that you took pics with your dog! We will def be doing that. However, I agree with Miss Perfume -#5 would be great as your signing board.
I really like the last one also!
So nice and clean looking…and a geat background for signing.
The 1st one is great because it is so colorful and includes your dog. which I am a big fan of
Either #1 or #5
#5 is the one I would want to see hanging in my home - the framing is great, and it will look lovely surrounded by signatures. I think having people sign it would add focus to the two of you in the middle, rather than compete with you for attention.
I LOVE #2. Uncropped. Its like life is going on around you and you two are just stood there, still and in love. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
I choose number 1. But I don’t really like the idea of people signing on the picture itself. It will kind of ruin the magazine quality of the shot. Can’t you get it matted and have the guests sign the matte? That is how I’ve always seen it done before. I’ve never seen people sign the actual photo.
my personal favorite is the f#1 and it would be neat if the background were to be lighter than your bodies so its indicating to sign on the lighter part of the picture.. you understand what i mean?
I’m in love with #4, but I can’t figure out why. How’s that for helpful?
Wow, all are great- no wonder everyone is having a tough time. I would have said 1, but it’s not actually your dog. Then I would have said 3, which is perfect. But somehow I love #5 the best. But really, you can’t go wrong!
#5 — definitely
while #5 has perfect negative space for a signing board, #1 is still my favorite one
I love #3! I think it would look the best in your living room!
#5
WOW! What a hard decision. All the photos are fantastic. But if I had to choose, I would go with #5 because the background is so clean. I really like #1 and #2; however, I think both the backgrounds will make the signitures hard to read. My two cents.
1 or 3 - I agree with your Mr., that one is so classic! and 3, I like the composition a lot!
I love #5 for a signing board and #1 for just a large picture to hang in your home, it is gorgeous!
all these pictures are like from a magazine or advert! i seriously love numbers 1 and 4! seems like that saxophonist is serenading the two of you =)
Cropped #2—I love the way you guys look and that the focus is on you without being odd proportions, etc. Silver/metallic mens, maybe gold–still see signatures.
Otherwise, I really like the idea of taking the sax one (#4) and putting just you two in color and the rest in black and white. Its a great composition, looks like an interesting picture to blow up but you two still POP. Again, metallics. I think those two backgrounds, while looking full, will look neat with metallic signatures and more interesting on a wall.
Although I think #5 is good for signing my first choice was for #2 with some editing. What if you did one of those effects where you’re in a circla and everything else is black? Then your guests could use a gold or silver pen for signing all around the 2 of you? Just a thought!
I like the cropped version of number 2, followed by number 1.
I have a hard time making decisions, but my favorites are 1, 3, and 5.
My Favs are #1 and #5. #1 is such a beautiful candid looking shot. Love it! And #5 is just too, too adorable.
#3 or #5. i think #3 is nice size and you can see your faces clearly. #5 because if people sign their names it will look like writings on the wall and that looks cute.
#5!!!!! I love it…it’s just the two of you…it’s beautifully simplistic…
#3 for sure.
#1. It’s great and if your pet is important to the two of you, it’s a great way to incorporate him/her!
#3 is my favorite by far, but I think #5 would make the best signing board - there’s lots of space!
Oh, and you guys are super super cute!
I know it doesn’t meet all of your qualifications, but i would definitely go with #3. You can see both of your faces, and there’s plenty of background to sign. I also think it’s the cutest one of you two, and the scenery in the background is timeless. I don’t even mind that it’s posed. I think it looks genuine.
#3 or #5! And they’re all great pics.
#1 100 percent it is an awesome candid shot. Although, I really do love them all
I’m with Mr. Martini on #1. Its got lots of personality and I like that it’s not faces and smiles… I think you won’t get tired of looking at it over time! (Besides, it’s got the dog!)
#1 then #5.
I LOVE #1!!! I think the pictures is fun, cute, timeless and offers a perfect background for signatures!
They are all very beautiful though, so whichever you choose will work wonderfully!
#2 is amazing! I wouldn’t even worry about the extra people-the emphasis is definitely on the two of you and there’s interesting detail. #4 is my second favorite. Both are incredible!
# 1 is my favorite! it’s more artistic, so it’s something you wouldn’t mind hanging on your wall for all eternity, plus your not stuck looking at a bunch of strangers in it, and the background is nice and clean for signing on! #5 is my second choice
i love 1, 2, and 5.
1 because it’s so fun and natural.
2 [the cropped version] because you’re walking hand in hand down the road of life together. [i'm sure that sounded cheesy, but that was definitely not my intent!]
5 because it’s such a special moment between you two and you can really see the love that you have for each other.
I would go with #3 or #5. Both are clean and cute photos of you two.
You are so pretty! I like number 2 cropped!
#3 or #5. I agree w/ the clean background. They’re all so beautiful though!
#1 & #5 are my favs too! There is plenty of signing space and its a great picture
I would also like to recommend you assign someone (or tell you DOC) to watch the photo periodically. I’ve been to 2 weddings were drunk (or young or both) have written nasty things on these photos. One even put an arrow to the groom and wrote douche. I think the photo, especially the way you’re doing it, is a great idea, I just would hate to have someone ruin it. If we decide to do this we’re definitely going to have it watched
Aw, is that a goldendoodle I spy in option one? Speaking as a dog lover, I’d go with that one. 
1 or 5. Clean backgrounds are nice, but an interesting non-peopled background could be a lot of fun… I can imagine people racing to be the one to sign on the stop sign. Or maybe my group of friends is a little too low-entertainment.
#1 - such a cute dog!!! I have a question though: how are you going to print the image? Most signing boards I’ve seen have a white border, but I’m assuming yours won’t and I LOVE that… what kind of paper is it going to be printed on?
Honestly all of the pics are beautiful! But if you want my opinion, I’m more of a person who likes a story being told in my photos, so my suggestion is to have 2 smaller pics and a 3rd larger one– or all 3 smaller to tell a story. I like #3 (not as many people), placed with #3 & #5. Then it kind of tells a story. You held hands, you cuddled, you danced… (sappy, I know) I think you will look back and like it much better than just one giant picture. It gives it some contrast. Aside from that, aren’t you going to use a matte frame around the picture. You aren’t having people physically signing on the picture, are you?? If so, be careful bc you’ll have fingerprints, smudges, & smeary marker everywhere. Not to mention most marker won’t show up very well. It will look much cleaner with matting around the pics. Sorry for all of the opinions… I just know this stuff from experience. Hope this helps! Let us know what you decide to do!
I like number 2 cropped or uncropped. Number 3 would be nice because you can see your faces, there is no one else around you and the background is lovely.
Good luck deciding!
I like #3 and #5
i love #5! its classic (FI calls that pose ‘we’re so in love we randomly dance’ hehe), but artistically modern with the industrial background. I’d even have guests sign with a metallic marker, to further emphasize the psuedo edgy-ness in it.
But if you really can’t decide (and this is from one perpetual deer in the headlights to another) let your photographer choose. I mean, they do this kind of thing for a living! They can look at a picture today and see what it is that you will want to remember in the years to come and what will still be timeless then.
Good luck!
you are BEAUTIFUL! and i love number one. or the “looks like a magazine shot” picture. only because its different and edgy. but number one is my favorite. you’re still the focul point of the pic but you two are cute with your dig and its not posed.. idk i just love it!
Definitely #1! (I am a dog person, obviously) lolz
I’m torn between #1 and #5. If that was actually your dog I’d definitely I’d say definitely #1.
1 and 5
#1 or #5!
I looove #1! A distant second would be #5. Have fun deciding.
#1 is adorable but I think everyone will be asking about the dog that is not yours. #5 is my favorite, it is sweet, you can tell who it is without it being in your face and I think it’s the most friendly for signing.
#5, signatures would add to the picture (like all the pics in front of walls with graffiti/murals)
Oh, I forgot to mention that you should still hang #2 on your wall. It is a beautiful photo it’s just not signing friendly.
I love choices 1 and 4. I like that they are both ‘magazine-worthy’ shots, and I think sigs would only add to it!
If you want to use hte one with all the ppl, keep them in and blur them out so that you cant focuso n them.
PS- how do u m ake A signiature board? I was going to have guests sign the white matte border of the framed our pic but would love to learn how to do this instead.
#2 not cropped, for sure.
No one likes #4?? ::Sad Face::
I LOVEEEEE #4!! It looks like a spread! I’m not sure what your signing board will look like but if its B&W and you could use paint pens in bright colors to make the “wishes” really pop!
#1 is awesome too, i especially love your dress-color choice! Soft and muted and oh so elegant!
I like #3 for a signing board because the ink will show up better. The letters (especially in black) will be hard to see with the trees in the background of the other photos. It also focuses on you two with the background kind of faded out and doesn’t get too busy.
#5 is definitely the best, the signatures will look like graffiti on the wall
My vote is for #5 or #1. Both are really fun pictures and follow all of your rules. The backgrounds seem like they would be the best for signitures too! (secretly I love them all!)
I vote #5
I vote for #1 or #5. I love the clean background of #5, but #1 is very cute and shows your personality.
I absolutely LOVE choice #5. It’s such a special picture and absolutely gorgeous!
#5 absolutely. The writing will look great on the wall. I, too, am a fan of #1 but if it’s just some random dog- that’s not as cute. Are you going to have to explain THAT everytime someone walks into your livingroom?
#5…intimate
I would love #1 if you could see your faces
I’d vote for #1 or #5. The trees in the others would distract too much from the signatures, in my opinion. I think signatures look best on a clean backdrop. #3 is cute, but I just wouldn’t choose it for the signing board. Four would be cute blown up for your wall, but I wouldn’t muddle it with signatures.
I think #5 would be my top choice!
I vote for #2. I love how you guys just pop out in the picture, even when there are lots of people around you.
And your black boots worked nicely with the brown jacket!
The dog one for sure. I don’t think you will get tired of that one if you hang it on your wall.
#5…LOL. only because #1 isn’t your dog but it is very colorgul but then again, you’re going to be putting up all these pictures around your place so you’ll have all of them.
just think #5 would make the best SIGNING board.
and after you told me that it was a random shot and you weren’t told to pose makes it that much more special!!!!
I like the cropped #2 or #5….I love #1 but would feel awkward about hanging a random dog on my wall
I vote for #5. I would have voted for #1, but since it isn’t really your dog, that might be a little odd =)
I love #5! #1 would be my second choice! Such cute pictures! I’m jealous!
Number 1 is my fave but I”m sad if it’s not your dog :(. If that’s the case then I would definitely go with number 5. Perfect for a signing board!
How are you doing the signing board? My fiance wants to do the photo with everyone signing the matte but I kind of want something a little different. I was thinking about doing the blurb book but I think the would be a perfect compromise! Can you share how you are making the print? Is it canvas maybe?
Thanks for the post - very inspiring! I hope you don’t mind but I am contemplating stealing your dog picture idea… except with our dog :).
@Christy: hi christy! i am not exactly sure, but i have a feeling that it will be a matte and everyone signs directly on the picture. i have to confirm that too. when people mentioned the white border, I realized that i had no idea what it would look like! i think no matter what it will look great though.
if you have a dog, that first picture would be perfect for you! i wish i would have thought of it before and brought my dog out with me!
I was going to vote for #1 until you said it wasn’t your dog. It’s still adorable, but you’ll have to answer a lifetime of questions about what happened to the dog. I like #2 (uncropped) and 5 best.
@Miss Latte: PUHAHA!!!
i totally forgot i wrote about my black boots for a moment, and when I read your comment I was like OMG SHE NOTICED THE BLACK BOOTS. KILL ME NOW!
=)
Did you figure out where the guests will be signing - straight onto the picture or onto a matte? Please let us know - I really like this idea, and I think I might want to steal it! But I need to know how it works first
@AliCherri1: omigosh, thats horrible! thanks so much for the tip!!
@armybride: i confirmed with our photographers and we’re actually going to be signing directly on the picture! therefore, we decided to go with number 5 =)
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Mrs. Martini, New Jersey
Age and Occupation: 30, Telecom by day, Superhero by night
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Investments & Finance by day, Hip hop dancer by night
Engagement Date: May 24, 2008
Wedding Date: March, 2009
Blogging Since: August 18, 2008
Venue: The Venetian
About Me: Things that make me happy: Haribo Happy Cola gummies, TV shows on DVD, buying books although I never read them, 80’s rock ballads, ramen, and of course Mr. Martini! He is the calm, logical and number crunching finance guy. I can’t even multiply double digit numbers in my head and I am so indecisive that trying to choose between light green or slightly lighter green paper stresses me out (Wedding planning is going to be soooo much fun). We both find great joy in nabbing great seats at the movie theater for a blockbuster movie on opening weekend, and we are both absolutely crazy about snowboarding. And he loves to cook, I love to eat!
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