Creating A Personalized Wedding Album: A Diy Guide

Wedding albums are a great way to preserve your special day and create a family heirloom. While it may seem like a daunting task, creating your own wedding album can be a fun and meaningful process. You can choose from a variety of formats, such as a DIY album where you print and mount the photos yourself, or an online service that allows you to upload and layout your photos digitally. There are many companies that offer custom wedding albums, including Artifact Uprising, Mixbook, and Shutterfly. When creating your own wedding album, it's important to select and organize your photos, decide on a theme, and choose the right format, size, and cover material.

Selecting and organising photos

Selecting and organising your photos is arguably the most important part of the wedding album creation process. Having a clear idea of how many photos you want and the order you want them in will make the process much easier when it comes to uploading them to the design studio.

It is recommended that you create a folder on your computer to keep track of your favourite photos. If you have thousands of photos and it feels too overwhelming, try tackling it one 'moment' at a time. For example, create multiple folders that divide the day up into sections: getting ready, the ceremony, newlywed portraits, and the reception. Once you've selected your most-loved images, label them, starting from number one in the order you want them to appear in your book.

Try to select between 20 and 30 photos that immediately stand out to you as potential album inclusions. You might feel overwhelmed looking at all the photos from your big day, so enlist the help of your spouse, sister, mum, etc. if you need to. Keep in mind that choosing the images is the most time-consuming part. It doesn't have to be done in a day, and you only need 75 to 150 images in total for a nice-sized album.

After you have picked out your first-look favourites, group the rest of your chosen photos into categories, such as getting ready, the ceremony, bride and groom portraits, family and bridal party, reception, and details. This will help your album story flow and give "readers" an idea of how the day went. Take your time with this step and look for a variety of photos (portraits, black and white, formal, casual) to add depth to your album.

Remember, fewer images mean each one can truly stand out and embody the highlights of your wedding. You'll want to include photos from every stage of the day, including behind-the-scenes getting-ready images, the ceremony, your guests, the reception, and the send-off.

• You and your wedding entourage: a shot of you and your closest friends, perhaps with matching robes while getting ready.
• Sweet family moments before the ceremony: your mother fixing your hair, your dad pinning your boutonniere, or your siblings hugging you.
• The first look: the moment you and your beloved meet on your wedding day, whether this happened before the ceremony or as you walked down the aisle.
• The first kiss: your first official moment as a married couple.
• Parent-child dances: if you or your partner danced with a parent, don't forget to document this moment.
• Dance shots: you and your college friends in a circle singing your favourite song, your aunt and uncle doing a line dance, or your flower girl stealing the show.
• A great send-off: bubbles, rice, confetti, or sparklers—the send-off moment is brilliant and full of love, so be sure to choose your favourite from the end of the day to cap off a great album.

When selecting your photos, be mindful to include all the important details and key moments from the day. Albums work best if your images are in chronological order. Choose images that you love, which will create a story and portray the atmosphere of the day. Think of it as a short film in print.

Your wedding album should be a true reflection of your day—something you will love and cherish for decades to come.

Choosing a theme

Deciding on a theme for your wedding album is a crucial step in the creation process. The theme you choose will dictate the story you want to tell and the photos you want to include. Here are some tips to help you choose a theme that reflects your special day:

• Focus on the chronology of the day: Organise your photos in chronological order to tell the story of your wedding day from start to finish. This approach ensures that your album has a clear narrative flow and captures all the important moments, from getting ready to the ceremony, portraits, reception, and farewell.
• Emphasise the emotional journey: Instead of a linear timeline, you could opt for a theme that focuses on the emotions of the day. Include photos that capture the spectrum of feelings, from joyful tears to laughter and heartfelt moments. This theme could be structured around key emotional moments, such as the first look, the first kiss, and the couple's reactions throughout the day.
• Celebrate your journey as a couple: Your wedding album can be a celebration of your relationship. Include photos that showcase your love story, from intimate portraits to fun shots with your wedding party. This theme might also include details like your first dance song, vows, or quotes that hold a special meaning for both of you.
• Highlight the intricate details: If you want your album to showcase the finer details of your wedding, consider a theme that focuses on florals, attire, venue décor, food, and entertainment. Include close-up shots of the cake, table settings, centrepieces, and other unique elements that made your wedding day special.
• Capture the overall atmosphere: Another theme idea is to capture the overall atmosphere and ambiance of your wedding. Include photos that showcase the venue, décor, and your guests enjoying themselves. This theme could also incorporate food and entertainment choices, such as a live band or unique cocktail creations.
• Personalise with a cover image: The cover of your wedding album can set the tone for the entire story. Choose a custom cover image that makes you smile and reflects the essence of your special day. Whether it's a romantic portrait or a stunning venue shot, the right image will introduce your love story in a meaningful way.

Picking a format

You can also choose between softcover and hardcover formats. Softcover books are perfect for displaying on a coffee table, while hardcover books are more durable and classic in style. Flush mount photo albums are another option, with thick, sturdy pages that lay flat.

When deciding on a format, consider how you want the final product to look and feel. If you had an intimate wedding, you may opt for a smaller, understated design, while a grander celebration might call for a larger format. You should also think about how the album will be used and stored. If it will be on display and handled regularly, consider a more durable material like leather. If it will be stored in a keepsake box, you may choose a softer material like linen or silk.

Finally, don't forget to select the orientation and size of your album. Landscape, square, and portrait formats are available in a range of sizes, from small to large. Consider the orientation of your photos when making this decision to ensure they display optimally.

Deciding on size

Deciding on the size of your wedding album is a crucial step in the process of creating your dream wedding album. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right size:

Budget

The size of your wedding album can be influenced by your budget. Typically, the larger the album, the higher the cost. Smaller albums, such as a 10x10 inch album, tend to be more budget-friendly, while larger albums, like a 16x12 inch option, can be more expensive. However, don't let budget constraints limit your creativity. You can find cost-effective alternatives or opt for a smaller album if necessary.

Number of Photos

Consider the number of photos you plan to include in your album. If you have a large collection of photos from multiple ceremonies or receptions, you may need a larger album with more pages. On the other hand, if you have a smaller, intimate wedding with fewer photos, a smaller album size, such as an 8x8 inch or 10x10-inch album, might be more suitable.

Photo Size

Think about the size of your photos in relation to the album. If you want your photos to appear larger and more prominent, a bigger album size is preferable. Smaller albums will make the photos appear smaller, which may be a consideration if you want to showcase intricate details or include text alongside the images.

Display and Handling

The intended use of your album also plays a role in size selection. If you plan to display your album on a coffee table or bookshelf, consider the available space. Smaller albums are easier to handle and display, while larger albums might be more challenging to store and handle but will make a bold statement.

Popular Sizes

The most popular wedding album sizes tend to be around 12x12 inches, offering a balance between photo size and ease of handling. Other popular options include 8x8 inches and 10x10 inches for smaller albums, and 14x11 inches for a larger landscape format.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the size of your wedding album should reflect your personal style and preferences. Consider the overall design, orientation, and layout of your album. If you prefer a minimalist or classic look, a smaller size might be best. If you want to include more photos or have a bolder design, a larger size could be ideal.

Remember, your wedding album is a keepsake that will preserve your memories for years to come. Choose a size that aligns with your budget, the number of photos you want to include, and your desired display and handling options.

Adding details

Select and Organise Your Photos

Choose your favourite photos that capture the most important moments, emotions, and details of your wedding day. Create a clear structure for your photo selection by organising them into folders on your computer. You can divide them by moments of the day, such as "getting ready", "ceremony", "reception", etc. This will make it easier to decide on the order of the photos in your album.

Decide on a Theme

Choose a theme that reflects the story you want to tell. This could be the chronology of the day, the emotional journey, the intricate details (such as florals, attire, venue décor), or the overall atmosphere. Ensure your selected images reflect what's most important to you and your partner.

Include Special Details

Consider adding extra details to your wedding album to make it more personalised. You can include close-up shots of the rings, invitation, or other sentimental objects. You could also add decorative fonts, art elements, your vows, quotes from speeches, song lyrics, or poetry. These additions will make your album unique and help convey the atmosphere of your wedding.

Choose a Cover

The cover of your wedding album introduces the story of your special day. You can choose a simple text cover, a photo cover, or a designer cover. A text cover offers a modern and understated look, while a photo cover lets you showcase that one outstanding image that makes you smile. Designer covers, on the other hand, offer beautifully designed templates with raised inks.

Select Cover Fabric

In addition to choosing the cover style, you can also select the fabric that captures the look and feel of your celebration. Popular options include premium natural linen, classic linen, premium-coloured linen, premium coated cloth/buckram, vegan leather, and Italian leather. The choice of fabric should reflect your wedding's style and atmosphere.

Consider a Presentation Box

To protect your cherished wedding album, consider investing in a presentation box. This will keep your album safe from wear and tear and ensure it stays in good condition for years to come. It's an excellent way to preserve your special memories.

Frequently asked questions