Creating Your Wedding Album: A Shutterfly Guide

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. Creating your own wedding album using Shutterfly's online tools is an easy and seamless process that will allow you to relive those memories with loved ones for years to come.

Choose a photo book style and size

The first step to making your own wedding album with Shutterfly is to choose a photo book style and size. This will depend on the number of photos you want to include and the overall theme of your wedding. Shutterfly offers dozens of unique designer wedding photo book templates in a full library of different sizes and styles.

The front cover is one of the most important aspects of your photo book. You could choose your favourite snapshot of you and your partner, or another special photo. Alternatively, you could opt for a plain and protective cover. A timeless leather-bound photo album cover is always a good choice.

Shutterfly offers a variety of cover options to match the formality and style of your wedding day. You can choose from a hard photo cover with a glossy finish, a premium leather cover, or a premium cover.

Photo books also come in a variety of styles, themes, and layout options, including classic, modern, vintage, rustic, and contemporary styles. Shutterfly also offers guided styles based on the occasion.

Pick your favourite photos

Picking your favourite photos is a crucial step in creating your wedding album. You want to choose photos that you love and that capture the emotions of the day. A good mix of posed and candid shots will accurately reflect the mood and feeling of your wedding. Include photos of you and your partner, as well as those of friends and family. Don't forget to add some fun and comical moments too, such as the moment the ring bearer refuses to walk down the aisle or when Aunt Patty kicked off her heels on the dance floor.

You can also include photos of the wedding décor and surroundings. Group photos together by lighting and colour for each page for a cohesive look. If you're eager to get started, you can collect photos from friends and family in the meantime. Creating a smaller, more intimate book of these photos is a fun complement to the primary album.

When selecting your photos, it's important to keep in mind the story you want to tell. Arrange your photos in sections such as the ceremony, cocktails, dinner, and dance party. This will help your album flow chronologically and truly tell the story of your special day.

Take your time to choose your favourite images and create a wedding album that you will cherish for years to come. These photos will help you relive the magic of your wedding day and all the emotions that came with it.

Include a variety of images

Including a variety of images in your wedding album is essential to capturing the full range of emotions and experiences from your special day. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Firstly, strike a balance between posed and candid shots. While posed photographs can be creative and stunning, candid photos are exceptional at capturing raw emotions. By including an equal mix of both, you can accurately reflect the mood and atmosphere of your wedding. For example, you could include formal portraits with your wedding party and family, balanced with spontaneous moments like the flower girl playing with her bouquet or the groom's happy tears during your vows.

Another way to add variety is by incorporating different subjects and themes. Include not only the happy couple but also photographs of family members, the wedding party, and guests, even if they weren't part of the wedding party. Capture the details, from the first dance to the table settings, the wedding cake, and the cloth napkins. These little things come together to tell the story of your day.

Don't forget to include the fun and comical moments too. The best wedding albums capture a mix of beautiful and lighthearted memories. Include that photo of your ring bearer refusing to walk down the aisle, the cake smash, or your aunt kicking off her heels to dance. These unexpected moments will bring a smile to your face and add a unique touch to your album.

Lastly, think beyond just the wedding day. You can include images from the lead-up to the wedding, such as the rehearsal dinner, or the morning-of preparations. These photos will add context and showcase the transformation from the everyday to the extraordinary.

Select opening and closing shots

The opening and closing shots of your wedding album are arguably the most impactful pages. They are the defining introduction and conclusion to your wedding story, so it's important to choose images that will set the tone and create a lasting impression. Here are some tips and ideas to help you select the perfect opening and closing shots for your wedding album:

• Start with an intriguing opening shot that will grab the attention of your viewers and set the tone for the rest of the album. A photo of your wedding invitation is a great way to begin as it is one of the first parts of your wedding journey and helps to notify your guests of the upcoming special occasion.
• Follow the invitation with photos of your wedding venue to introduce the location of your big day. This will create an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation for what's to come.
• For the closing shot, make a strong statement with a striking image that sums up your special day. A photo of you and your spouse leaving the room together, a snap of the crowd dancing, or even a pair of discarded heels can be a perfect way to finish your wedding album.
• When selecting your opening and closing shots, keep an eye out for images that showcase the defining moments of your wedding day and capture the emotions and atmosphere of the event.
• Consider using a mix of wide shots, close-ups, and candid moments to create a dynamic and engaging narrative for your album.
• Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. The opening and closing shots are a great opportunity to showcase your personality and set the tone for the entire album.
• Take into account the overall design and layout of your album when selecting these key shots. Consider how the images will flow together and how you can use white space to emphasise the impact of the photos.

Think beyond pictures

When creating your wedding album, think beyond pictures. Who says wedding photo books should only feature photographs? Today, couples are opting for wedding photo books as a modern way to capture the essence and story of their wedding.

There is now room for unique text, quotes, and details about your big day. Try incorporating your invitation, mementos, notes from loved ones, and other personal items such as petals from your bouquet. You can also include a variety of images, such as a mix of posed and candid shots, to accurately reflect the mood and feeling of your wedding day.

Don't forget to include photographs of family members, even if they were not in your wedding party. You can also feature comical moments, such as when the ring bearer refuses to walk down the aisle or when Aunt Patty kicks off her heels on the dance floor. These moments will add a touch of humour and warmth to your album.

Additionally, you can enhance and customise your wedding photo book with finishing touches such as a gift box or a dust jacket. Consider choosing extras that are practical and add beauty to your book, such as a memorabilia pocket to safely store keepsakes along with your images.

Frequently asked questions