If you are searching for a unique, personal way to celebrate a wedding rehearsal dinner or reception, then creating silhouetted table settings are an inexpensive and easy way to do so. Below is how you can make table settings for both the bride and groom and create a memorable day for everyone involved:

Materials and supplies you will need

• Camera
• Scissors
• Ruler
• White charcoal or chalk fine-point pencils
• 4-by-6 inch photos of bride and groom
• Gold spray paint
• Newspaper
• 5-by-7 inch oval cut matboards with openings for 4-by-6 inch photos
• Black card stock
• White card stock
• Calligraphy pen
• Glue stick or rubber cement
• Double-sided tape

Putting it all together

1. Take photographs of the bride and groom – the first step is to obtain sharp, silhouetted images of the bride and groom. An easy way to obtain these images is by having them pose outside in a shaded area with a bright background; for example, posing under a tree on a sunny day will yield the desired effect. Ask the subjects to turn to the right or left 90 degrees and to also keep their chins raised. You need to take several profile pictures, including images of each person looking to the right and left, so you will have an adequate number of choices.

2. Obtain 4-by-6 inch prints – after getting the photographs, order prints from the sharpest, most defined images of each. While the choice is yours to make, the best effect is gained by using images of the bride facing one way with the groom facing the opposite direction. Be sure the final, cropped images show all of the head, including hair, and are adequately sized.

3. Cut the silhouettes – using a sharp pair of scissors, carefully cut around the heads of the bride and groom; work slowly, so you don't accidentally "remove" pieces of their face.

4. Create the silhouettes from black card stock – apply small strips of double-sided tape to the back side of your silhouette cutouts, and stick the images on to a piece of black cardstock. Next, trace the images with a white-colored, fine-point charcoal or chalk pencil, so there are white outlines on the black cardstock. Pull up the images, being careful not to tear the cardstock, and repeat the process of tracing until you have the desired number of traced silhouettes. Next, carefully cut along the white lines you just made, and set your newly-made cardstock silhouettes aside.

5. Attach the silhouettes to white cardstock – measure 5-by-7 inch rectangles on the white cardstock, and cut them out with the scissors. Next, apply a light smear of glue from a glue stick or a thin layer of rubber cement to the backs of the black cardstock silhouettes you made in step 4. Press them into place in the center of the 5-by-7 inch rectangles. Firmly press the silhouettes into place on the white cardstock, and apply a dab of extra glue if any corners are not adhering.

6. Add the names of the bride and groom – using a calligraphy pen, carefully write the names of the bride and groom above their respective silhouettes on the cardstock rectangles. Be sure not to make the writing too large, or it may be covered by the oval mats.

7. Prepare and apply the oval mats – lay-out the oval mats on a piece of newspaper, and apply a coat of gold spray paint to the top of each one. Add another coat if necessary, but wait until the paint dries first before moving to the next step. Once the paint has dried, apply a generous layer of glue to the backs of the oval frames, and set them on top of the white cardstock rectangles. Align the images with the oval mats, and cut away any excess cardstock material that protrudes from the edges. For more information, contact a wedding centerpiece or design store.