Cheap and easy frames and prints of wedding photos for gifts

November 14, 2015 10:26 AM

Hi all! For our wedding, we got a disc and rights to all of our photos, but no prints. As the holidays are approaching, we want to get some prints and nice frames to give close family. However, money is tight and we are lazy. What is the cheapest and easiest way to get a dozen or so prints and frames in standard sizes, at a quality level somewhere above we-bought-everything-at-the-dollar-store? Thanks!
posted by likeatoaster to Shopping (20 answers total)

Shutterfly is pretty great, and right now they have all sorts of coupons going on, trying to entice customers in before the holiday rush means they're slammed. I've gotten photo prints, cards, canvas prints, and tons of other stuff from them, and the quality has been really high.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:33 AM on November 14, 2015

2nding Shutterfly with sales, which are regularly sent out by email and on their website. I love their stuff.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:39 AM on November 14, 2015

Response by poster: I was thinking maybe shutterfly for the prints, but is there a cheaper place to get decent quality frames in standard sizes? Online would be fine.
posted by likeatoaster at 10:55 AM on November 14, 2015

Michaels has decent frames and they are always having sales. Get on their email list.
posted by radioamy at 10:57 AM on November 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

Ikea frames are very nice for the price.
posted by mochapickle at 11:01 AM on November 14, 2015 [2 favorites]

Stopping in to suggest IKEA as well. Also, sometimes people resell things on Craigslist if they've recently gotten married and have a bunch of wedding decorations they want to get rid of.
posted by gemutlichkeit at 11:37 AM on November 14, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. It is hard to adult.
posted by likeatoaster at 12:01 PM on November 14, 2015

Came in to suggest Michaels, and also your local Goodwill - my mom has picked up some great frames for next to nothing over the past few years...
posted by PlantGoddess at 12:06 PM on November 14, 2015

Thrift shop frames, ditto Goodwill/Salvation Army, then add some DIY and voila!
posted by Elsie at 12:09 PM on November 14, 2015

Michaels and/or Thrift Store frames BUT try to get some mat board (it's often available and cut into standard sizes and not very expensive) which classes up the presentation considerably.
posted by jessamyn at 12:19 PM on November 14, 2015 [1 favorite]

I would also recommend Nations Photo Lab in addition to Shutterfly; I've been happy with the quality of all of the prints I've ordered. Frequent sales and coupons as well. Seconding looking on Craigslist for wedding decorations (just make sure to confirm the size of the frames), IKEA, and matting!
posted by jetlagaddict at 1:01 PM on November 14, 2015

If you end up going to goodwill and getting a bunch of mis-matched frames, just spray paint them all black. They'll look much better!

Some photographer friends of mine love Costco for their prints.
posted by hydra77 at 1:24 PM on November 14, 2015

You could also print straight to canvas for a non-frame option. I don't have any recommendations on this, but there are lots of sites online that do this.
posted by hydra77 at 1:25 PM on November 14, 2015

If you have an Aaron Brothers near you, they have a buy one get one for 1c sale quite frequently. Most of my frames are their or Ikeas. I have always done my prints at Costco, since you can also get 12" x 12" there, which fits perfectly into the matted square Ikea frames.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 1:45 PM on November 14, 2015

Using bigger frames with mats looks "fancier" than using frames that are exactly sized to your photos. You can get away with buying simpler frames (that usually cost less money) by using this method.

My favorite Ikea frames are the Ribba and the Virserum.
posted by watch out for turtles at 2:14 PM on November 14, 2015

Might be worth checking out Costco.
posted by jeffamaphone at 2:42 PM on November 14, 2015

Yeah I'd check Ikea, Michaels, Costco, etc for a frame. Michaels will often have big sales, check their website or your local paper. Framing yourself will save tons. Get something that has a mat as said above. Then you can print via shutterfly or Costco or something and frame yourself.

Canvas prints look great but can be really, really pricy. (Shutterfly starts at $55) I think they're good for maybe your own use but too pricey for making a bunch.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:15 PM on November 14, 2015

Kohl's for inexpensive wood frames. And, like Michael's, there's always a coupon or sale.
posted by JoeZydeco at 5:05 PM on November 14, 2015

Oh yeah, Aaron Brothers is good too.
posted by radioamy at 12:05 AM on November 15, 2015

If there's a Marshall's or a Ross near you, they often have nice frames at reasonable prices.
posted by bunderful at 4:57 AM on November 15, 2015