The what, why, and where of QR Codes for weddings

A wedding QR Code makes it easier for guests to share the photos and videos they take on your wedding day. If you're wondering what a QR Code is and/or whether a QR Code is right for your wedding, read further.

What Is a QR Code?

From your guests' perspective, a QR Code at your wedding is:

• An invitation to share their memories with you.
• A convenient way to upload photos and videos directly to a dedicated platform.

From a technical perspective, a QR Code is a:

• A scannable barcode-like square
• That tells a phone to open a web page.

Scanning a QR Code opens a webpage, where your guests can upload their photos and videos taken at your wedding. It gives your guests permission to take photos and makes it easy for them to send you those photos.

QR Codes are recognized by most smartphones: iPhones have this feature built-in to the camera, some Android users may need to install a QR scanner app.

Why Would I Need a QR Code for Wedding Photos?

You don’t need a QR Code. We have helped tons of couples collect photos from their guests who didn’t use QR Codes. They simply shared a link to their WeddingPixie.com photo upload page with their guests.

There are many ways to collect photos and videos taken by your guests on your wedding day. Only a couple of them can be helped by having a QR Code.

The WeddingPixie.com QR Code is a link to the wedding couples webpage where guests upload photos and videos. Guests can scan the QR Code with their phone and are brought to the webpage hosted on the WeddingPixie.com platform. You could just as easily send the upload page link in a text message or via WhatsApp.

A QR Code is convenient for guests and can be displayed on various items at the wedding, such as the wedding program, or reception seating plan. Guests can scan the code at their convenience and upload their photos and videos whenever they have a moment. It lets people know that it's ok to take photos, and makes it easier for guests to share photos and videos with you.

You can always follow-up with your guests after the wedding with a text message or WhatsApp containing the link asking them to upload wedding pictures. You’ve done the ground work at the wedding by placing QR Codes around the venue, following up with a gentle reminder is perfectly OK, and many guests will appreciate being given the opportunity to give you the photos and videos they took on your big day.

Where Should I Place My QR Code at the Wedding?

The key to maximizing photo contributions is visibility. Place your QR Code where guests will notice it during key moments of your wedding day:

• Morning Prep: Include it in welcome notes or gift bags for bridesmaids and groomsmen.
• Ceremony: Add it to wedding programs or church booklets.
• Reception: Display it on table centerpieces, dinner menus, or the seating chart.
• Digital Displays: Project it on screens during speeches or the slideshow.

To protect the environment, print your QR Code on recycled and compostable cards or paper. Or, display it digitally on screens around your venue.

How Do I Get a QR Code for My Wedding?

Dedicated wedding photo and video sharing web apps should create an upload QR Code for you when you create an account.

The easiest way to get a wedding-specific QR Code is by creating an account on WeddingPixie. When you sign up, we email you a unique QR Code that guests can use to upload their photos and videos directly to your WeddingPixie account. Click here to create a weddingpixie.com account

For services that do not provide a QR Code you can generate a QR Code for free online using tools like QR Code Generator

What Could Go Wrong with a QR Code?

While QR Codes are simple to use, a few things can go wrong if you're not careful:

1. Printing Issues: Low-quality printing or resizing may distort the QR Code, making it unreadable. Always test it after printing.
2. Poor Placement: If guests can’t see the code, they won’t use it. Be strategic about where you display it.
3. Lack of Instructions: Some guests may not know how to scan a QR Code. Add a brief note like:
   "Point your phone's camera at this code to upload your wedding photos!"
4. Security Concerns: Fishing free QR Code generation elaborate
5. Low Contrast: Not all phones are equal, some phones will struggle with codes that are not printed in black on a white background

Make sure your QR Code file is greater than 1500 x 1500 pixels so that it prints properly. The QR Code will be 5 inches by 5 inches when printed at 300 DPI: a good size for the welcome sign, or card at the DJ rig.

Contrast is key. Colored QR Codes might look good, but they may not work for all phones. Print the QR Code in black of white background to make it easier for guests.

Testing is crucial. Wherever you print or place your QR Code, scan it, and ensure it works and directs you to the correct webpage.

Are QR Codes at weddings here to stay?

QR Codes have been around since the 90’s. Their use became widespread in hospitality post COVID as restaurants replaced physical menus with online menus and QR Codes. Most venues have some experience with QR Codes and will be happy to help you place your QR Code on menus. Each wedding is unique, and the venue has to create a menu for each wedding. Your wedding QR Code can be placed on your menu for every guest to see. Check out the next article in this series for hassle-free ways to get your QR Code out there and visible to your guests.

According to Angela, The Wedding PA: "I think we’re going to see more use of wedding photos upload QR Codes in 2025. Guests do take great photos. It can take weeks to get photos back from the wedding photographer. Services like WeddingPixie make it easy for couples to collect photos and videos. WeddingPixie provides you with a QR Code when you create an account. You can share the QR Code with your guests so they can upload their photos and videos to your WeddingPixie account. QR Codes make it easier for guests and easier for couples to collect photos and videos."