Creating A Cherished Wedding Photo Book: Tips And Tricks

Creating a wedding photo book is a fun post-wedding activity, but it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Here are some tips to help you get started. First, get organised by creating folders for your favourite photos and those earmarked for the photo book. Next, decide on a theme – this could be romantic or funny moments, or a more traditional or modern style. Then, consider the running order – a chronological approach is straightforward and sensible, but you could also group photos by subject or arrange them by colour. Finally, choose a cover photo and add a caption.

Selecting and organising photos

Selecting and organising your photos is the most important part of the creation process. Here are some steps to help you with this process:

Step 1: Get Organised

Start by getting all your photos onto the same device and make two folders – one that’s general wedding memories and one for your wedding album shortlist. Then start filtering through. Not only will this make it easier to upload them to your chosen platform, but it’s also a good way to bring together all of your pictures. Make sure you back them up too on a hard drive or USB so they’re 100% safe and sound.

Step 2: Pick a Theme

A theme can be a good idea if you’re really struggling to whittle down the number of photos to go in your album. A theme gives you focus. The pictures you choose to preserve in an album should be chosen in a way that tells the story of your wedding day. Whether the focus is on the chronology of the day or the emotional journey, just you as a couple or your 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.

Step 3: Group Proofs into Categories

Now you're ready to group the proofs into categories: getting ready, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and special moments (like cake cutting, speeches, candids, portraits, dancing, and the getaway). How many pictures you have in each category (and how many categories you'll have) depends on a lot of things, but keep in mind that eventually, you'll put only 50 to 100 photos in your finished album.

Step 4: Weed Out the Bad Pictures

Go with your gut on your first look and write down the shots that jump out at you. Don't overthink it. Just pick 20 to 30 of your favourites. The next step is to weed out the bad pictures (of blinking guests, for example).

Step 5: Pick Your Favourites

Take your time to look over your wedding photos, ideally with your partner and maybe even a few friends. Select the ones where you and your beloved look just gorgeous, but you also want to think a little about telling a story. Be sure you have photos from every stage of the day, including behind-the-scenes getting-ready images, the ceremony, your guests, the reception, and the send-off.

Step 6: Make Some Tough Decisions

Your wedding was the best day of your life, filled with all the people you love the most, so don’t be surprised when you find the job of editing down your cornucopia of great wedding photos to just 50 images or so excruciatingly difficult. Call on your superior prioritising skills to really pick the best of the best wedding photos for your album. Don’t worry if some photos of dear loved ones, or fun moments are left out—you can order these as single prints if you really love them, but they don’t fit into your wedding album.

Choosing a theme

• Chronology of the Day: One option for your theme is to arrange the photos in chronological order, telling the story of your wedding day as it unfolded. This approach allows you to relive the day from start to finish and ensures a natural flow to your album.
• Focus on Specific Moments: Alternatively, you could organise your photos by specific moments or categories, such as "getting ready", "ceremony", "cocktail hour", "reception", and "special moments" like the cake cutting, speeches, and dances. This theme gives you the freedom to be creative and showcase the highlights of the day.
• Romantic vs Fun Moments: You might decide to create a photo book that captures all the romantic moments from your wedding, or you could focus on the fun and light-hearted memories. This theme allows you to showcase the emotions and atmosphere of your special day.
• People vs Details: While it's important to include photos of the happy couple, wedding party, and family members, don't forget to include details that showcase the overall atmosphere of your wedding. Close-ups of flower arrangements, decorations, food, and an overhead shot of the venue can add depth and flair to your album. Group these detail shots together to create a dedicated section for them.
• Traditional vs Modern: When it comes to the style of your photo book, you can go traditional with a classic matted album or opt for a modern coffee table book. Traditional albums are typically bound like books, with frames hiding the edges of the photos, and are often made from leather, canvas, faux leather, or suede. Coffee table books offer endless layout possibilities and are printed on press, with your photos appearing directly on the pages.
• Colour vs Black-and-White: Another consideration for your theme is the use of colour versus black-and-white or sepia photos. Mixing these styles can give your album a dynamic edge. Many photographers suggest a 1:3 ratio of black-and-white to colour photos, but you can choose any ratio that suits your taste.
• Customised Covers: Don't forget to consider the cover of your photo book. You can opt for a simple text cover, a photo cover, or a designer cover with UV-printed designs and raised inks. The cover fabric is another way to customise your album and reflect the style of your wedding. Popular options include linen, silk, leather, and acrylic.

Picking a format

• Traditional Matted Album: A traditional matted-style album is a classic choice for wedding photo books. It is typically bound like a book, with frames that hide the edges of the photos. These albums come in various materials such as leather, canvas, faux leather, or suede. Traditional albums are sturdy and tend to endure age and use better than other styles. If you're looking for a long-lasting option that will stand the test of time, a traditional matted album could be a good choice.
• Fabric Album: For a more creative and unique option, consider a fabric album. Some photographers offer custom-bound Japanese silk albums, where photos are mounted directly onto deckled-edge pages with hand-embossed image areas. Fabric albums are exquisite and delicate. They are usually more expensive and require a protective sleeve to ensure their longevity. If you want a luxurious and one-of-a-kind presentation for your photos, a fabric album may be worth considering.
• Coffee Table Book: A modern option for your wedding photo book is a coffee table book. This format offers a lot of flexibility in terms of colours and materials. Like a magazine, it has endless layout possibilities. Coffee table books are printed on a press, so they have pages with photos printed on them rather than actual photos. While the set-up fees can be expensive, you can often order multiple copies at a fraction of the initial cost. If you want a contemporary and versatile option that allows for creative layouts, a coffee table book could be the right choice.
• Digital Files: If you're not interested in a physical photo album, you can arrange to buy the digital files from your photographer. This option gives you the flexibility to keep your photos on your hard drive, upload them to photo-sharing sites, create DVD slideshows, or order prints whenever you want. Digital files offer convenience and the ability to share your photos easily with others.
• Online Companies: Another format option is to use online companies dedicated to designing and delivering custom wedding albums. Companies like Artifact Uprising, Mixbook, and Shutterfly offer this service. This choice can be more affordable and allows you to have greater control over the design and customisation of your photo book. If budget is a concern and you're willing to put in some extra legwork, this could be a good format to consider.
• Size and Orientation: Regardless of the format you choose, you'll also need to decide on the size and orientation of your photo book. Landscape photo books are the most popular choice, but portrait formats have a classic and elegant look. Consider the number of photos you want to include and the space you have for displaying your photo book. If you had an intimate wedding, a smaller, understated design might be more suitable. For a grander celebration, a larger format could be more appropriate.

Album size

Landscape, square, and portrait formats are the most common options for album size. Landscape photo books are the most popular choice, but portrait formats offer a traditional and elegant look. If you want to include many photos and display the album on a coffee table, a large format is ideal. However, if you had an intimate wedding or prefer a more understated design, a smaller size may be preferable. Medium and large formats are standard, but you can also find small sizes that are perfect for slipping into a purse or displaying on a bookshelf.

When selecting the size of your wedding photo book, consider the aspect ratio of your photos. Review your images and match their orientation with the orientation of the photo book or album. This will ensure your photos display optimally. If you have a mix of landscape and portrait photos, choose the orientation you prefer.

Another factor to consider is the thickness of the pages. Layflat albums use a single, continuous sheet of paper for each spread, creating a seamless look for panoramic photos. Flush mount albums are a type of layflat album with thick, sturdy pages. If you want to include a lot of photos or create a dynamic layout, these options may be worth considering.

Finally, don't forget to think about the cover. A custom cover image can set the tone and introduce your story, while a simple text cover offers a modern and understated look. If you plan to display your album on a coffee table, consider choosing a cover fabric that captures the look and feel of your celebration.

Adding details

Selecting and Organizing Photos

The selection and organization of photos is crucial. Create folders to categorize your images, such as "getting ready," "ceremony," "newlywed portraits," and "reception." This will make it easier to upload them to your chosen platform or software. Remember that less is more – choose images that truly stand out and capture the highlights of your special day.

Deciding on a Theme

The photos you select should tell a story and reflect what's important to you. Consider focusing on the chronology of the day, the emotional journey, the intricate details (such as florals, attire, or venue décor), or the overall atmosphere. Browse inspiration online or in wedding magazines to help you decide on a theme that suits your style.

Adding Text and Captions

Enhance your photo book with text and captions. Include your vows, quotes from speeches, or song lyrics from your first dance. You can also add captions to each image, sharing your thoughts or memories associated with that particular moment.

Playing with Layout and Design

Experiment with different layouts and design options. You can opt for a simple, uniform layout throughout the book or vary it by using different templates. Consider leaving some blank pages for a pause between sections, or try a full-bleed design where the image fills the entire page. Play with different image sizes and orientations to create a dynamic look.

Focusing on the Details

Pay attention to the small details to bring your wedding day to life on the page. Choose templates that extend images to the edge of the page for a dramatic effect, or allow plenty of white space around intimate photos to draw the viewer in. Use text and image frames to add, reposition, and resize elements.

Selecting Paper Type and Finish

The choice of paper and finish will impact the look and feel of your photos. Options like satin, photo lustre, or matt white paper can enhance the vibrancy, clarity, or muted tone of your images. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and choose a paper type that complements it.

Frequently asked questions