tacky tacky tacky…. if it’s pictures of you visiting Uncle Jeff, both of you in front of your hotel in Vegas, etc.
Now, on the other hand, if it’s creative and tastefully done (this can entail hiring professionals for both creating and projection), then it’s a different story. A few suggestions:
-Do a test run, use harsh critics.
-As I mentioned in one of my posts, you have 300 minutes. Is it worth 5% of your wedding?
-Be very careful as to when you show it. It needs to be at a time at which all your guests can give their attention. Involve the band in this decision, they understand event timing better than anyone.
-If it doesn’t pass the above tests, consider showing on a small flat panel during cocktails, where people can choose to watch or not watch it.
Last but not least, don’t embarrass anyone – especially your boss!

I think slideshows are a great way to showcase your relationship and show how important your friends and family are to you. However, I 100% agree with Richard that it needs to be tastefully done. His idea to let guests choose whether they watch or not is fabulous, that way you aren’t taking away precious time and boring those that could care less.

Slideshows are great, but as Richard mentions in his response, it will depend on who and how you are doing it.
As a photography and video production studio, our process for creating a reception montage is different than what you may see from a DJ.
A DJ in many cases can provide the great looking; large LCD TV but rarely will provide inspiring images or images that reflect your wedding.
A production studio will usually offer one of two things, an “on Location edit” which allows the studio to create a custom video of your ceremony or images and even pre-planned productions to be played at your event.
As Richard mentions, we also include all equipment, and a technician to ensure that the video plays and you and your guest will enjoy it.
A video is can be great entertainment. We recently did some pre-wedding interviews, and did not show the answers to the couple until the day of their wedding. It was a great surprise and fun to watch for everyone, without being tacky!

At the end of the day you should do what you want and what makes you happy.

To see some samples of video montages at the reception, visit our gallery at http://www.abacuswedding.com

I agree with Richard and Amanda: slideshows, when done well and timed right, can be a fun and inclusive moment for guests. I would also suggest thinking of showing that slideshow at the rehearsal dinner – it may be the better audience for those ‘through the years’ image progression. If you want all your guests to see it, run it on a monitor during your cocktail hour. Better yet, put that monitor in a hallowed-out TV console and your life can be on Tv!

I agree with Richard and Amanda, if done right it can be very sweet, but don’t let it take over the event. Something small and off to the side, perhaps during the cocktail hour would be best. As photographers, we always offer a slideshow of images we captured earlier in the day (roughly 25-30 images that get a quick edit and are show on our laptop – keyboard covered, usually placed near the bar area). Its a nice conversation starter for your guests, but isn’t large or intrusive. Talk to your photographer, and see if they offer this – and if they do, see if they can incorporate some of your other images (i.e. from your engagement session, or vacation images) – they will also be able to help you edit down to the “best of the best.”

Considering turning your “slideshow” into 8mm film…think old black and white movies…and project it on the entry hall when guests are arriving. Keeping it on a loop will allow them to see different parts of the film as they come and go from your reception. Try to stay away from doing the traditional “slideshow” set to “standard” music…make if fun and unexpected but above all else…make it personal!

Tara’s suggestion of using the classic styling of 8mm black and white projection in the entry hall is an excellent way to bring a slideshow into your reception without being tacky! We agree with Richard, though – you still may want to hire a professional to create and execute the show, even if it isn’t center stage.

what about showing the slideshow during the cocktail hour?