Young House Love

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Our Anniversary Photo Tradition

Deck progress drags on, so we’ll be back with more details for you on Monday (wish we had more full days to devote to it, but it’ll probably be a weekly update situation like our first house’s bathroom reno and our kitchen redo since it’s such a big undertaking). But I just couldn’t resist sharing this in-progress picture of John and his dad telling the auger who’s boss:

Deck Preview Auger

Oh but the time it’s taking us to build this deck isn’t what I meant by the title of “half a decade” (at least we hope it won’t take us five years to get ‘er done). That has to do with our five year wedding anniversary, which is coming up on July 7th. How crazy is that? We can’t even grasp that it has been half of a decade since our little backyard wedding. And it means that seven years ago we shared our first kiss (we picked 7/7/07 as our wedding day because 7/7/05 was when we started dating – yes we kissed on the first date, haha).

Wedding Laughing 1

There are some parts of our wedding that we remember so vividly it easily could have been a month ago. So funny how time flies. And as some of you know, it has been a little tradition to take a picture of our family on July 7th in honor of our wedding day, like this:

NotWedding Four Years

This was last year’s picture, with just one wiggly kid…

4thanniversary1

… and with both of them…

4thanniversary2

We like to frame each year’s picture in small differently shaped capiz frames that we’ve found over time (from Target, thrift stores, Hobby Lobby, etc). But our sink was getting cluttered with four full frames and the latest empty one that we snagged from Target a few weeks back in anticipation of our fifth photo. So we decided to tackle a little photo-hanging project to get them off the sink and enjoy them in a nice little grouping on the wall next to it.

For some reason hanging frames seems to be something we get asked about the most, so we thought we’d break down the process for getting these guys on the wall without any oops holes. Either folks are just plain intimidated to hammer a nail into a pristine hole-less wall or they’re not sure how to settle on “the right” arrangement. The good news is there are probably always at least ten arrangements that would look good, so we just like to put the frames on the floor and play around until we have a little grouping that we like. Like this:

Frame Layout On Floor

The next step is to make little paper templates for each frame, so you can map out where you want to place them (and only make one hole in the correct spot for each frame instead of ten bad ones). We just laid the frame on top of white printer paper, traced the outline, cut them out, and taped them to the wall, shifting things around until we liked what we saw:

Templates2

We had also taken a second to mark where the nail hole needed to be on each one by holding it up against the back of the frame before taping it up and pushing a nail through to rest on the hook on the back of the frame. So when we taped them up they already had these nail guide holes to completely take the guesswork out of things.

Templates4

Some of our frames didn’t come with hooks for hanging them on the wall (since they’re meant to be tabletop frames) so we just picked up a pack of picture hanging hardware at JoAnn for 99 cents (for four of them). Then I crazy glued them to the back of the frame and pulled off the little flap that you use to stand them on the counter (since the flap would make them sit away from the wall more than we wanted them to).

Templates05

Next we just hammered through the pre-made hole in the paper template where we knew the nail should go for each one.

Templates3

Which looked a little something like this:

Nails In Templates2

Then we left the nails in the wall and pulled the paper templates off. Less then a minute later we had everything hanging. And then I ran outside to grab some flowers, because I’m girly like that.

Templates 6

It’s sweet to see four anniversary photos all together on the wall, with that blank fifth one just waiting for our latest family pic in a few weeks.

Teplates7

Think Clara and Burger are going to cooperate this year? Nah, me either. But that’s half the fun.

Oh and we thought this could also double as a budget blooms post since we’re woefully overdue for one of those. See all these flowers I mentioned running outside for? Yup, they’re all free from the yard! They’re clippings from the hydrangea bushes out by the patio, and a giant man-eating (not really, but it’s huge) butterfly bush in the back yard.

Templates8

I just stuck a little glass vase full of water in the middle of this giant ceramic planter (from HomeGoods a while back) on top of a cardboard box to lift it up so the stems of everything didn’t have to be impossibly long.

Templates11

I love the little pointy butterfly bush clippings mixed in with the lace-like balls o’ hydrangea. I wonder if they’ll live long enough to see us put our next picture in the empty five-year-anniversary frame?

Templates9

Probably not, but they sure are pretty for now.

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I especially love how you can appreciate all the different types of capiz frames since they’re not all jumbled in front of each other on the counter anymore.

Templates12

And come to think of it, hydrangeas are pretty fitting for that vase beneath them since they were in my little homemade wedding bouquet.

Wedding Portrait 25

Oh my gosh, was that really five years ago? I’m in denial. Haha. Anyone else have any anniversary traditions or frame groupings you’ve been hanging up? Do you use paper templates to simplify things? Or do you have another easy hanging method? Share and share alike!

Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner, so click here to see if it’s you.

Comments

  1. Kristina says

    Lovely! My husband and I have been together 13 years (7 married) and since our first summer together we’ve taken a picture holding the camera out in front of us. This has become an annual picture now and we have a hallway wall that the pictures wrap around. The pictures have now evolved to include our 7yr old and 4 yr old. It’s my favorite family tradition that I get excited to do every year. We also have a blank spot in a frame awaiting the current years picture. Have a wonderful anniversary on 7/7!

    Reply

  2. Beth says

    Awww, happy almost anniversary! That is so cute, I love how the frames coordinate without being too similar.

    In August my hubby and I will be celebrating 10 years, it is crazy how quickly the years go by.

    Reply

  4. shannon says

    Happy Anniversary!!! I can’t take credit for this idea but I plan on using it myself. I knew someone who took/found pictures of all the men in her family at roughly the same age ie great grandfather, grandfather, dad, husband, son… and put them in a long frame for her husbands office. It could obviously be done with either males or females through the generations. Nice gift.

    Reply

  5. Ally says

    Look at the Petersik men GOOOO! :)

    John’s shorts really are CUT-OFFS (or did the auger have it’s way with his pant legs? :)

    xox

    Reply

  6. Momcat says

    What’s hilarious is that you cut out the little scalloped edges on the paper template! I’d have taken the shortcut & just made it rectangular, but that’s why I don’t have a DIY blog ! Congrats on the anniversary, we’re at 21 this year & still remember it like yesterday! All the little things, that cracked you up, you know?! Blessings to your family!

    Reply

  9. Johanna says

    Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! 5 years of marriage is awesome, here’s to wishing you many many more happy years together! My hubby and I will be celebrating our 2nd year of marriage and our 5th year together on June 19th. We got married on our dating anniversary, I figured I’d keep it simple and not make my man have another date to remember! :P
    I love your little tradition of taking a family picture each year, that will be so fun to watch the pictures change over the years…. Hubby and I missed our first year picture, but I want to start that anniversary tradition this year! And who knows, our baby that is due on the 27th, just may decide she wants to be in the picture this year too! : )

    Reply

  10. Sarah says

    Eeek! So exciting, your book has a cover on amazon!! Don’t know if I’ve missed the bandwagon here, but cool nevertheless! Congrats :)

    Reply

  11. Emily says

    Eew. Building a deck will not be in my plans.

    Congrats on anniversary – put that way, DH and I will have been married .75 decade in less than a yr. ;)

    Love the frame arrangement!

    Reply

  12. Pamela says

    Had to read through all the comments to make sure I wasn’t repeating a tip that, I thought, I picked up reading your blog. To lengthen the life of cut hydrangeas, put the cut stems in near-boiling water before putting them in the vase. I have gotten three+ weeks out of some blooms. Don’t know if it works for butterfly bush flowers.

    Reply

  13. Brit says

    Happy pre-Anniversary John and Sherry! Our five year is the same as yours! We go out to a nice breakfast and walk around the park where we had our first coffee date. Last year we decided to incorporate a new tradition – instead of purchasing presents for each other we donate to a local nonprofit. Last year we sponsored the hedgehog exhibit at our city’s zoo. This year we donated to our local community foundation in memory of a dear friend. Making the decision together on how to spend some dough (we budget around $50) on a charitable cause has really brought a special meaning to our wedding anniversary. It gets us more involved in our community, which is something we’re both passionate about.

    Reply

  14. Marie says

    I love the picture hanging tips and congrats on the upcoming anniversary! What really strikes me about this post is the very first picture. John is so lucky to be able to spend time with his dad. It’s the most amazing gift and you will look back one day and have the happiest of memories!
    Have fun with the deck project!

    Reply

  16. Maria @ All Things Luxurious says

    Wow, what a great idea! Thank you so much for this — my husband and I will be celebrating our first year wedding anniversary in a few months, so this is such a great tradition to get started. :-) And I love your idea for hanging the pictures — one of those things you look at and go, “Why didn’t I think of that??” ;-) Thanks a bunch!

    Reply

  17. Savannah says

    We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary on 5/29. I wanted to start a tradition and at the same time get a gift that was the traditional first year paper. I ordered this personalized book off etsy with lined pages(not with the guests heading like in the picture) and photo corners. It’s kind of like an on going scrapbook. So every year we’ll write what we did and next to it put in a picture. Our wedding invitations had a tree with our initials carved into also so this book fit in perfectly!
    https://www.etsy.com/transaction/80993238

    Reply

  18. Leslie says

    Congrats on your upcoming anniversary! Have you considered using straight pins to hang your lighter weight frames? I noticed you used nails. I like that the holes are much smaller with straight pins in the event you want to re-arrange frames after a year or two! So small that I usually don’t have to fill them in!

    Reply

  19. Lori says

    Love this idea :). Thanks for the tip in the frame hanging. This will come in handy for me, as I have gone on a frame buying spree recently. As far as anniversary traditions, we do have one. Every year on the anniversary of the day my husband proposed to me, we go to the spot where he popped the question. It was in a local park, off the beaten path in a clearing that is just beautiful and quiet. This year we even got to have a picnic with our two year old (two weeks younger than Clara!). Such a special spot :).

    Happy Anniversary!!! Here’s to many more :)

    Reply

  22. Jenny says

    Just want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog! I check it every day and love all your ideas, style and thorough tutorials. I even had a dream about you guys the other night…weird, I know! Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I LOVE your wedding date!! My birthday is 7-7-77….so awesome! :)

    Reply

  23. Michelle N says

    I’m working on my very first gallery wall! Exciting I know,haha I used left over Christmas wrapping paper to trace all of my frames. Just rolled it and arranged my frames and cut everything out. I also numbered my frames and the paper so I knew what frame went with what piece of paper. Super easy.
    I love all your traditions you guys are so cute! My husband and I meet in the Navy while stationed in Iceland. 11 years in November! We hope to go back one day with our kids. Beautiful country!

    Happy Anniversary John and Sherry!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So cool that you met in Iceland! I hope you guys make it back someday with the kiddos. And congrats on the gallery wall- sounds like it came out so well!

      xo,
      s

  24. Chrissie says

    Happy almost-iversary! I love the idea of taking family photos every year, we’ll definitely do that. It’s so cute that you guys remember the date of your first date.

    It’s a bit crazy that Matt and I are 5 years younger than you guys, just got married this year and are finally starting to do some real work to our first house (although we’ve been in it for about 3 years). Still… synergies, man!

    Reply

  26. Beth says

    No anniversary traditions, but I have a birthday one. I have two boys, and each year on their birthdays I take a photo of them in one of their dad’s white button-down shirts. It’s fun to see them grow into it (and maybe grow out of it?). :-)

    Reply

  27. Melyssa says

    We’re getting married 7-7-12, so happy anniversary to you!!!!! I’ll be celebrating your anniversary with a little reenactment of sorts for ya ;) It is in an awesome old lodge in the park. Beautifully outdoorsy. Tons of rustic and DIY touches. I think you’d be pleased. Oh! And bonus points. Much like John, Matt isn’t wearing a jacket either!

    Reply

  28. Angela says

    Congrats on five years! Unrelated sidenote: I just moonshined my dining room and am in love!!! Living room is next :)

    Reply

  29. Lynda says

    Beautiful wedding photos, really great.

    I wanted to comment that I hope y’all call Ms Utility and make sure there are no electrical or gas lines etc. before you dig like that. Especially so close to the house and next to the HVAC unit, I would hate to have any of you get injured or killed.

    Have you been seeing the dark purple hydrangeas here in the area? I am the only one in our Henrico neighborhood who has normal color hydrangeas. The other ones — which have been in the ground also for some time — are purple and deep purple colors this year. Weird.

    Have another 5 years and more together,

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes we mentioned calling Miss Utility to get the all clear a few deck posts ago! We even called them before digging up some bushes in the way- just in case.

      As for dark purple hydrangeas, I haven’t noticed many but I’ll have to keep an eye out!

      xo,
      s

  30. Christina says

    Congratulations on 5 years you two!!
    I am so happy for you, and I love reading about your adventures and inspirational projects! I know it sounds silly, but your blog has become such an influence on my projects and life. I am happy that I get to “know” you guys through your posts!
    Congrats again!

    Reply

  31. Emily says

    Our 5 year anniversary is a week from today, June 23rd. Sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s been that long but then again we have 2 beautiful girls to show for it.

    Reply

  32. Carrie K says

    We have the same anniversary as you guys!! (We picked it because my sister was stationed in the UK and could be home for the 4th of July extended holiday.) Happy (mutual) Anniversary! And yes, we get our photo taken each year too. :)

    Reply

  33. Kati says

    You know how I know someone from Better Homes & Gardens magazine reads YHL? If you have this months, they have red Adirondack chairs, with blue pillows all over them (hydrangeas), and on the last page the woman’s office has your dining room curtians! Just thought i’d let you know :)

    Reply

  35. Lauren says

    Happy almost 5 years! My husband and I just got married on May 29 in Key West. We’re already planning a 5 year anniversary trip back there! On another note, I was looking at this months Better Homes and Garden and on the very last page was someone with your dining room curtains! I’d recognize them anywhere.

    Reply

  36. Jess says

    Congrats! I also got married on 7/7/7!! Funny how much changes in 5 years… New house, new jobs, 2 kids! We are looking forward to a couple “kid-free” days for our anniversary :)
    Love reading your blog, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  38. Mel says

    My Mr. and I are celebrating our five year anniversary this year as well. We buy each other the traditional anniversary gifts. However, this year we will renew our vows too. It’s kind of fitting since we are both wedding officiants.

    Happy upcoming anniversary to you.

    Reply

  39. Erin @ DIY On the Cheap says

    Hi John and Sherry! I recently discovered your blog and of course love it like everyone else. (Where have I been?!) Anyway, I will be at Haven and look forward to seeing you there! Your family is adorable and your house is so unique and cool!

    -Erin Spain

    Reply

  41. S @ keepitneat says

    I’m not sure how we did it, but the hydrangeas from my bridesmaid bouquets from our wedding 3 years ago are still in tact! They dried almost exactly as they looked that day – blue and bushy. We keep them in a mason jar on a windowsill in our living room. I’ve tried to get hydrangeas to last since then and no dice. Makes these never-say-die H’s feel even more special :) Congrats on almost 5 years!

    Reply

  42. Cindy Berisic says

    Congrats on your almost anniversary! Quick tip about hydrangeas…if you cut them and don’t put them in water they will dry and stay exactly the same way,for like ever!

    Reply

  43. T says

    We had our 20th anniversary earlier this month. For the first 10 years we took an anniversary photo and added it to the back of our honeymoon photo album, but when we ran out of room after 10 years, we stopped. We also exchanged the same card every year and just added a new message to it each year, but then that ran out of room, and we stopped. We haven’t stopped loving each other, though!

    Happy 5th to you two!

    Reply

  44. Haley Green says

    Congrats on the Anniversary!! I’ve built a brand new home in a small country town in Australia. Was petrified to put holes in my beautiful new walls – so I cheated and used these nifty 3M wall valcro thingys to stick all my frames up on the wall – looks fantastic as the frames sit flush against the wall – and my nerves are at ease because no holes!!

    Reply

  45. Laura says

    Dear Young House Love,

    I used to be able to type “you” in my browser, hit enter, and immediately be taken to youtube. Twice today I have tried to do that and been redirected here. I now check your blog more often that I use youtube. Impressive, sirs. It is definitely a treat to be redirected to your blog rather than looking up Call Me Maybe sung by Barack Obama (guilty pleasure song). However, now that I have spent some quality time reading your posts it is time to return to Barack’s version of Call Me, Maybe. Thank you and goodnight.

    Laura

    Reply

  46. Sara says

    We saw this idea on Pinterest and we’ve only had our 1st anniversary but we took a photo on our anniversary holding our wedding photo. You can see it in my blog post here: http://adventuresofsaragb.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/our-first-anniversary-in-mallorca-spain/ We were in beautiful Mallorca, Spain and I packed the 8×10 framed photo just for the picture. It turned out great! We are expecting in Nov. but haven’t decided to include the baby or not…we’ll see!

    Reply

  48. Emily says

    I did a simmilar project last year as a gift for my husband for our 5th anni! I got a multiframe (not cute indiv ones like yours) with 6 (one for a wedding pic and one for each anni year) different shapes layered on each other! It was cute to see our family grow in just five years (we have two boys now)!

    Reply

  49. feep says

    My wife and I just had our 11th anniversary on Saturday. We started dating on that day 16 years ago, got engaged on that day 13 years ago, and we had our daughter on that day 6 years ago. June 16th is a crazy day every year.

    Reply

  50. Elizabeth says

    My husband and I have already been married for a year and a half. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been that much time. So i’m sure that you feel the same way about the 5 years! :)

    I love that you guys use paper templates when hanging your pictures. That is a really great idea that I think I will try next time I hang pictures.

    Reply

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