Creating A Wedding Album: Binding Techniques For Beginners

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, which allow for more customisation and creativity. Creating a wedding album can be a fun DIY project, and in this article, we will guide you through the process of making your own wedding album, from selecting the right materials to binding your album.

Selecting and organising photos

Categorise Your Photos

Separate your images into categories such as pre-ceremony, ceremony, portraits, and reception. This makes it easier to manage and visualise the flow of your album, ensuring that it tells the full story of your big day.

Choose Your Favourite Shots

Since an album usually contains around 50 to 100 images, narrow down your selection and focus on a variety of moments throughout your day. Include group shots, romantic couple photos, and details such as your bouquet, wedding rings, and cake.

Don't Shy Away from the Details

Detail shots are a great way to shift from scene to scene, set the mood for the following photos, and integrate an artistic element into your storytelling.

Capture Every Emotion

Weddings are full of emotions, and there are sure to be happy tears throughout the day. Find the photos that capture these emotions and give them space in your album.

Make Room for Micro-Moments

Sometimes, it's not just the climax of the scene that matters, but also the meaningful micro-moments that occur along the way. These little moments can be effectively captured using multi-photo layouts, showing the progression of a single scene through its component parts.

Consider the Narrative Flow

Arrange the selected photos in chronological order or a thematic sequence that best narrates your wedding day. Aim for a mix of wide shots, close-ups, and candid moments to keep the narrative engaging.

Start with a Swoon-worthy Image

The opening spread of your album is one of the most impactful. Starting with an image that captures the essence of your wedding is a powerful way to set the tone. Even if you're organising your photos chronologically, consider putting your favourite photo at the beginning.

Don't Underestimate the Power of White Space

White space frames your photos, giving each moment room to breathe. This minimalist approach can emphasise the emotional impact of your photos.

Choosing a binding type

Case Binding (Standard)

Case binding is a traditional and durable option, considered the gold standard for photo albums due to its strength and longevity. It involves creating a case for the book block, resulting in a sturdy and long-lasting album. This method is suitable for albums that will be handled frequently and passed down through generations.

Japanese Stab Binding

Japanese stab binding is a unique and eye-catching technique that involves stitching through the spine of the book with a needle and thread. It creates a decorative pattern on the spine and can be a beautiful option for wedding albums. This method allows the album to lay flat when open, making it easy to view the photos.

Adhesive-only (no sewing or hardware)

The adhesive-only method uses glue or other adhesives to attach the pages to the cover without any sewing or hardware. Most photo books use this binding method. It is a simple and cost-effective option, but may not be as durable as other methods.

Section-sewn Binding

Section-sewn binding is a durable option that allows the album to lay nearly flat when open. It involves sewing the pages together in sections, creating a flexible and elegant finish. This method is suitable for wedding albums as it allows for easy viewing of the photos without putting strain on the spine.

PUR Binding

PUR binding, also known as perfect binding, is a common method for creating paperback books. The pages are glued together at the spine with a strong, flexible adhesive called polyurethane reactive adhesive, or PUR. This method results in a sleek and modern finish but may not be as durable as other options.

When choosing a binding type, consider the desired level of durability, the ease of viewing the photos, and the overall aesthetic of the album. Each binding method has its own unique characteristics and advantages, so selecting the one that best suits your needs and preferences will ensure a beautiful and functional wedding album.

Selecting a cover, paper and interleaving materials

Cover Materials

When selecting a cover material, consider choosing something strong and durable as wedding albums are handled frequently. Waterproof or water-resistant materials are also a good option. Some popular choices include starched Buckram, coated bookcloth and leather. These materials also allow for labelling, such as stamping, embossing or tooling, for easy identification. If you want to add some texture to your cover, you can consider options like linen or leather.

Paper

The paper used for a wedding album should be heavyweight, usually with a thickness of 250 to 300 gs/m for each sheet. This weight will ensure the paper holds photos well and stands up to frequent handling and page turning. It is also important to select paper with the proper grain direction. The type of paper you choose will impact the finish of your photos, so consider whether you want a matte or coated, textured or smooth finish. Some popular options include Satin, Photo Lustre and Matt White.

Interleaving Materials

Interleaving materials are important to keep your photos and artwork safe. This material is glued to tabs on every other page, creating a protective layer over your photos. It is important that this material is acid-free to avoid damaging your photos. Glassine sheets are a popular choice as they are resistant to grease, air and water, and they are also acid-free and translucent. Tissue paper is a more affordable option that can also be used for design alternatives.

Remember to select materials that reflect your personal style and the theme of your wedding. Whether you choose timeless elegance, sleek sophistication or understated charm, these materials will help bring your wedding album to life.

Creating a book block with spacers and interleaves

To start, select a strong, heavyweight paper for your album. A thickness of 250 to 300 gs/m for each sheet is recommended. It's also important to choose paper and board with the proper grain direction. This will ensure the durability of your album.

Next, you'll need to create spacers, or "tabs", between each section of your album. These spacers will allow your book to expand as you add photos and other memorabilia. Depending on the binding method you've chosen, you can create these spacers by creasing one end of every other signature to form a fold, or by cutting away a portion of every other page in each signature to leave a spacer behind.

Once your spacers are in place, it's time to add the interleaving material. This material will protect your photos and artwork. Choose an acid-free option, such as glassine sheets, which offer resistance to grease, air, and water. Tissue paper is also an option if you're on a budget or prefer a different design. To attach the interleaving material, simply glue it to the tab on every other page. It should lay flat against your photos, acting as a protective layer.

With your book block assembled, you're now ready to move on to the next step of creating your wedding album.

Finalising and printing

Once you're happy with the album, it's time to print. You can do this yourself, or use an online printing service. If you're printing at home, make sure you have the right kind of printer and paper to do your photos justice. If you're using a printing service, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the cost. Printing a high-quality photo album can be expensive, especially if you opt for a luxury paper or a leather cover. Secondly, the time it will take to print and ship your album. This could take a few weeks, or even a few months. Finally, consider the format and style of your album. A traditional printed album, photo book, or digital version will all have different requirements and advantages.

A wedding album is a wonderful way to commemorate your special day, and it's something you'll cherish forever. Taking the time to finalise and print your album carefully will ensure it's perfect.

Frequently asked questions