Creating A Cherished Wedding Album: Tips For Success

A wedding album is a timeless way to showcase and preserve the most cherished moments from your big day. While traditional albums remain popular, many couples now opt for wedding photo books as a modern way to capture the essence and story of their wedding. Here are some tips on how to make a good wedding album:

- Sort through your photos: Go through all the photos from your wedding and remove any duplicates, blurry images, or those that are not well-cropped. Choose your favourite photos – the most natural, spectacular, spontaneous, or funny shots.

- Organise your photos: Place your photos in chronological order to recount the story of your wedding day, from the preparations to the ceremony and departure. You can also divide your album into sections, such as one for each important moment and a separate section for the bride and groom.

- Choose a cover: Select a cover that represents you and your significant other. Options include a romantic portrait of the couple, a simple cover with your names and a photo of your bouquet or wedding rings, or a photo of the venue, location, or couple.

- Focus on the details: Use close-up shots, such as a hand resting on a shoulder, a ring being placed on a finger, or a table centrepiece, to create original backgrounds for your album pages.

- Let your photos do the talking: Avoid adding too many comments to your photos. Choose the right shots that speak for themselves and only add important comments for context, such as the name of the first dance song.

- Create a narrative: Plan the layout of your wedding album by arranging the photos in chronological order or a story-like sequence. Create a narrative flow that takes viewers through the day's events.

- Include meaningful details: Incorporate close-up shots of the rings, the invitation, or other sentimental objects that played a special role in your wedding day.

- Add captions or text: Consider adding captions or text to provide context and tell the story behind the photos. Include names, locations, and memorable moments to enhance the narrative.

Selecting and organising photos

• Sort through your photos: Go through your mountain of wedding photos and remove duplicates, blurry photos, and those that are not well-cropped. The number of photos you'll need depends on the size of your album. It's recommended to choose an average of two photos per page to avoid overloading the album. If you're struggling to narrow down your selection, limit the number of photos per wedding moment. For example, choose a dozen photos of the pre-wedding preparations, 20 or so of the ceremony, 20 or so of the happy couple, etc. Opt for your favourite photos: the most natural, spectacular, spontaneous, or funny.
• Organise your photos: Place your photos in chronological order to recount the story of your wedding day. Divide your album into sections (one for each important moment) and then add a section just for the bride and groom photos.
• Choose photos of your guests: While the album should focus on the happy couple, you can include photos of your guests if they also include the bride and groom, such as a shot of everyone dancing or someone helping the bride with her corset. If you want to include a picture of all your guests, add a section dedicated to family and friends.
• Focus on the details: Use close-ups of details such as a hand resting on a shoulder, a ring being placed on a finger, or a table centrepiece to make original backgrounds for some of your album pages.
• Alternate between black and white and colour photos.
• Be creative with the layout: Use different layouts to showcase a mix of wide shots and up-close photos. For example, use a double-page layout for a wide shot of the newlyweds dancing, followed by more personal photos. Place a photo of the bride's dress between two photos of everyone getting ready.
• Create a folder (or folders) with your final selection of photos. If you have thousands of photos and it feels overwhelming, tackle it one 'moment' at a time. Create multiple folders that divide the day up: getting ready, the ceremony, newlywed portraits, reception, etc.
• Label your selected photos: Number your chosen images in the order you want them to appear in your book. This will save you time when ordering them in the design studio.
• Remember, less is more: Fewer images mean each one can truly stand out and embody the highlights of your wedding.
• Decide on a theme: The pictures you choose should tell the perfect story of your wedding day. What is the story you want to tell, and do the photos reflect that? Whether the focus is on the chronology of the day, the emotional journey, the couple, family and friends, the intricate details (florals, heels, dress, and suit), or the overall atmosphere (venue décor, food, drinks, and entertainment), ensure your images reflect what's most important to you.
• Check image quality and size: Check that your photos are in the "TIFF" file format, as this is the best for printing. Your image quality will suffer if you print with a JPEG or any other file format. Make sure your photos are big enough to print at the resolution you want. For example, if you're going to publish a 4 x 6 photo, it needs to be 2 megapixels (MP).
• Choose an album cover and page texture: Physical album covers come in various sizes and materials. Most online album companies offer premium leather, faux leather, plastic, or painted metal. You can decide what photo you want on the front and what text to add, like your wedding date or last name. If you want to combine both options, consider placing a photo in the middle of a luminescent, cotton, or leather cover. You can also choose between glossy, lustre, or matte pages.
• Layout your album spreads: Experiment with different-sized photos and page numbers. For example, the most emotional shots should take up a whole page, while multiple family photos, wedding party images, and venue snapshots could go on a single page. Again, consider the look of the spread, not just one page.

Deciding on a theme

Consider the story you want to tell

Think about the story you want your wedding album to tell. Do you want it to focus on the chronology of the day, from the preparations to the send-off? Or do you want to emphasise the emotional journey of the day, capturing the raw emotions and special moments? Perhaps you want to showcase the intricate details, such as the florals, attire, and venue décor, or focus on the overall atmosphere, including food, drinks, and entertainment. Deciding on the story you want to tell will help guide your theme and photo selection.

Chronological vs. Emotional Journey

When deciding on a theme, consider whether you want to organise your wedding album chronologically or focus on the emotional journey of the day. A chronological approach will showcase the day's events in the order they occurred, from the preparations to the ceremony, reception, and farewell. This approach ensures a logical flow and helps viewers relive the day as it unfolded. On the other hand, an emotional journey theme focuses on capturing the feelings and moments that made the day special. It might include a mix of candid shots, portraits, and group photos that evoke emotions and highlight the love and joy of the occasion.

Focus on the Couple vs. Including Family and Friends

Another aspect to consider when choosing a theme is whether to focus primarily on the couple or include family and friends. While the wedding album should predominantly feature the newlyweds, you may want to allocate a section for photos with loved ones. Look for images that capture interactions between the couple and their guests, such as a shot of everyone dancing or a family member helping the bride or groom with their outfit. If you wish to include a separate section dedicated solely to family and friends, you can opt for that as well.

Highlight the Small Details

Sometimes, it's the smallest details that trigger the biggest emotions. When selecting a theme, consider incorporating close-up shots or unique backgrounds that showcase the finer points of your wedding. This could include a hand resting on a shoulder, a ring being placed on a finger, a table centrepiece, or even the venue's architectural features. These details can add a layer of depth and intimacy to your album, allowing viewers to connect with the moments on a more personal level.

Mix and Match Photo Styles

When deciding on a theme, consider mixing and matching different photo styles to create visual interest. Alternate between black-and-white and colour photos, or play with different layouts and spreads. For example, you can use a double-page spread for a panoramic shot of the newlyweds dancing, followed by more intimate, up-close photos on the subsequent pages. Be creative with your photo placements, such as inserting a photo of the bride's dress between images of everyone getting ready. This mix-and-match approach adds variety and dynamism to your album.

Remember, the theme you choose should reflect your personality and the overall atmosphere of your wedding. It should help convey the story and emotions of the day, creating a lasting keepsake that you can cherish for years to come.

Choosing an album format

Wedding Book

A wedding book is a more traditional option, often referred to as a "statement table book." It usually features stiff, inflexible, and heavy board pages, typically measuring between 1.15-1.25mm thick. While this option may be more costly, it is a popular choice for those seeking a classic and elegant look.

Wedding Album

A wedding album offers more flexibility in terms of page type and layout. You can choose between board pages, paper pages, or a combination of both. Board pages are stiff and heavy, while paper pages come in various finishes, such as art paper or matt art paper, offering a flexible alternative. Additionally, you may opt for a lay-flat or flush-mount album, where the pages open out flat, providing a seamless display for your photos.

Wedding Magazine

A wedding magazine is a modern and contemporary choice, perfect for showcasing a large number of photos. This option typically features paper pages, allowing for more flexibility. It is also a cost-effective option if you want multiple copies for yourself, family, or friends.

Factors to Consider

When choosing an album format, consider your budget, the number of photos you want to include, and the overall look and feel you wish to achieve. If you prefer a more traditional and formal appearance, a wedding book or album with a leather cover may be ideal. For a softer, more intimate feel, consider a wedding album or magazine with flexible paper pages. Additionally, think about the number of photos you want to display. Wedding books and albums typically hold up to 64 board pages, while magazines can accommodate more, making them ideal for including a wide range of images.

Customization Options

All three formats offer customization options to make your album unique. You can choose the orientation of your album, with landscape, square, or portrait formats available. Additionally, you may select a size that suits your needs, with small, medium, and large options typically offered. Consider where you plan to display your album, as this can help determine the ideal size. If you had an intimate wedding, a smaller size may be more suitable, while a grander celebration may call for a larger format.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the choice between a wedding book, album, or magazine ultimately depends on your personal preferences and budget. Each format can be tailored to create a beautiful keepsake that captures the memories of your special day.

Sizing photos

• Check the image size and format: Ensure your photos are in a high-resolution format such as TIFF, with a minimum size of 2 megapixels for optimal printing quality. This will ensure that your images maintain their quality and clarity when printed in the album.
• Variety in sizing: Include a mix of portrait and landscape photos, as well as different image sizes. This adds visual interest and allows you to showcase a range of moments and emotions. Play around with full-page spreads, collages, and single-photo layouts to create a dynamic album.
• Balance the number of photos: While you want to capture all the special moments, avoid overloading each page. A good rule of thumb is to aim for an average of two photos per page. This gives each image room to breathe and ensures they don't feel cramped or cluttered.
• Consider the layout: When laying out your photos, think about the overall look of each spread rather than just individual pages. Experiment with different-sized photos and vary the number of images per page to create a balanced and visually appealing layout.
• Highlight special moments: Use larger, full-page photos for the most emotional and impactful shots. This could include portraits of the couple, candid moments, or breathtaking landscapes of the wedding venue.
• Don't be afraid to go big: Opt for larger album sizes if you have many photos you want to include. This gives you more space to work with and ensures that your images can be printed at a larger size without losing quality.
• Seek feedback: If you're unsure about sizing or layout, don't hesitate to ask for a second opinion. Show your album to your partner, family, or friends, and get their thoughts. They may offer fresh perspectives or help you spot any areas that need adjustment.

Adding details and text

Adding text and details to your wedding album is a great way to enhance the visual appeal and storytelling of your special day. Here are some tips for this important step:

Play with text

Adding text to your wedding album can provide context, capture emotions, and make your album unique. Consider including your vows, quotes from speeches, or song lyrics from your first dance. Text can be incorporated in different fonts, sizes, and placements to create a visually appealing layout. Play around with these elements to find what suits your album's style and theme.

Include meaningful details

Incorporate close-up shots of the wedding rings, your invitation, or any other sentimental objects that played a special role in your day. These details can be used as full-page spreads, backgrounds, or incorporated into collages. They add a personal touch and help tell the story of your wedding journey.

Add captions or text descriptions

Consider adding captions or text descriptions to provide context and narrate the story behind the photos. Include names, locations, dates, and memorable moments associated with each image. This will enhance the overall narrative of your album and make it more engaging for viewers.

Use white space effectively

Whitespace, or negative space, is the area in your album layout that remains unmarked. It can be used to make your images pop, create a clean finish, and provide a timeless feel to your album. Don't be afraid to leave some areas untouched to draw the viewer's focus to the important elements on the page.

Experiment with different fonts and text styles

Variety is the spice of life, and it applies to your wedding album text too! Mix and match different fonts, text sizes, and styles to create visual interest. You can use bold fonts for headings, script fonts for quotes, and vary the text alignment to create a dynamic and engaging layout.

Seek feedback and assistance

Don't hesitate to reach out to your partner, friends, or even your photographer for feedback and assistance. A fresh pair of eyes can help spot any missed details, suggest improvements, or provide ideas for enhancing the text and details in your album.

Frequently asked questions