Creating A Wedding Album: Tips For Newlyweds

Creating a wedding album is a fun project for newlyweds and can serve as a beautiful memento of their special day. While it may seem like a daunting task, it can be made easy by following a few simple steps. Firstly, gather and organise your photos, sorting them into categories such as the ceremony, reception, and memorable moments. Next, select your favourite shots, keeping in mind that an album typically holds around 50-100 images. Choose a variety of moments, such as group shots, couple photos, and details like the bouquet and wedding rings. Then, decide on the style and format of your album, whether it's a traditional printed album, a photo book, or a digital version. Select a theme or layout that complements your wedding, and plan the storyline by arranging the photos chronologically. Finally, finalise and print your album, making sure the photos fit neatly and adjusting the sizing if needed. Creating a wedding album is a meaningful way to relive your wedding day and cherish those memories for years to come.

Selecting and organising photos

Selecting Photos

• Choose the shots that matter most: Pick your favourite photos, the ones that capture the mood, décor, and subtle details.
• Include a mix of candid and posed shots: Candid shots capture the raw emotions of the day, while posed photographs can be creative and stunning.
• Consider the key moments: Select photos that capture pivotal events, emotional reactions, and unique details of your special day.
• Don't shy away from the details: Detail shots can be used to shift from scene to scene, set the mood, and add an artistic element to your storytelling.
• Capture every emotion: Weddings are filled with a spectrum of emotions, from happy tears to cocktail-fuelled jubilation. Choose photos that capture this range of feelings.
• Make room for micro-moments: Include the meaningful little moments that occur throughout the day, such as the bride and groom getting ready or the flower girl stealing the show on the dance floor.
• Consider the narrative flow: Arrange the photos in chronological order or a thematic sequence that best narrates your wedding day.

Organising Photos

• Categorise your photos: Separate your images into categories such as pre-ceremony, ceremony, reception, or any memorable moments. This makes it easier to manage and visualise the flow of your album.
• Identify key moments: Select and highlight the essential moments that are pivotal to your wedding story.
• Consider the overall aesthetic: The photos you choose should complement the aesthetic of your wedding. For example, if your wedding theme was rustic elegance, select photos with earth-toned shades and woodsy elements.
• Plan the storyline: Arranging your photos chronologically will help tell the story of your wedding day, from the preparations to the grand exit.
• Finalise and print: Ensure your photos fit neatly into your selected album and adjust sizing if needed. Review your layout, and once you're happy with the selection, proceed with printing.

Choosing an album style

The first decision to make is whether to go for a traditional printed album, a photo book, or a digital version. If you're after something quick and easy, you could select a wedding album package from your wedding photographer. This is likely to be the most expensive option, but it will save you time and effort.

If you want to save money, you could opt for a DIY photo book, which can cost as little as $50 to $150. You can also design and order your album through an online company, which will give you more control over the final product.

When choosing an album style, consider the colour and material of the cover. Leather is a popular choice for a luxurious feel, while a linen or silk cover might suit a bohemian or airy wedding. If you want your album to look like a coffee table book, you could choose a hardcover photo book with a solid colour and your names and wedding date on the front. For a softer look, a softcover album will allow your images to grace the cover.

You should also think about the size of your album. This will depend on how many photos you want to include and how much space you have to display your album. A smaller, understated design might suit an intimate wedding, while a grander celebration could call for a larger format.

Finally, consider the layout of your album. You can choose from a variety of styles, including classic, modern, vintage, rustic, and contemporary. To create a sense of cohesion, you may want to select a theme or layout that complements your wedding. For example, if your wedding had a rustic elegance theme, you could choose earth-toned shades and woodsy elements for your album.

Layout and design

Select a Theme or Layout

Decide on a cohesive theme that will unify your album. For example, if your wedding had a rustic theme, choose earth-toned shades, woodsy elements, and script fonts. Also, consider the size of your images and how many will fit per page. You can be creative with image sizes and orientation, but generally, it's best to avoid having more than one image per page.

Plan the Storyline

Arranging your photos chronologically will help narrate the story of your wedding day. Start with getting-ready photos and end with your grand exit. You can also add captions or anecdotes to help remember special moments and give context to your unique album.

Final Review and Adjust

Once you've laid out your photos, review the album as a whole. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the album flows smoothly and that every page contributes to the storytelling.

Design Tips

• Use white space to emphasise the emotional impact of photos and create a clean, timeless finish.
• Play with text – add your vows, quotes from speeches, or song lyrics.
• For high drama, choose image templates that extend photos to the edge of the page.
• For intimate photos, allow plenty of white space around them.
• Avoid overlapping photos or adding too many design embellishments, as this can make your album look cluttered or dated.
• Consider a full-page spread for particularly impactful images.

Cover Design

The cover of your album should capture the look and feel of your celebration. You can opt for a simple text cover, a photo cover, or a designer cover. If you choose a photo cover, select an image that introduces your story and has space for the title to appear.

Additional Albums

Consider creating smaller, themed albums to cover all bases. For example, you could have a separate album for formal portrait shots, table shots, or candid photos. These also make perfect gifts for family and friends.

Finalising and printing

Review and Adjust:

Before finalising your album, take the time to review your layout and photo selection. Ensure that your photos are in a 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. Leave white space to emphasise the emotional impact of each photo. Review that every detail looks right and adjust sizing if needed to ensure your photos fit neatly in your chosen album.

Finalise and Print:

Once you are happy with the overall selection, it is time to finalise your album. If you are creating a digital version, save your work and share it with your loved ones. If you are creating a physical album, print your photos through an online service or a local print shop.

Protect and Store:

Consider purchasing a protective box or case to keep your wedding album safe from wear and tear, dust, and spills. Store your album flat on a table or surface, rather than upright, to avoid putting pressure on the binding.

Duplicate and Gift:

You may want to create duplicate copies of your wedding album to give as gifts to your family and members of the wedding party. Smaller, themed albums are perfect for this purpose and can be ordered at the same time as your main album.

Seek Feedback:

Before finalising your album, consider inviting a trusted friend or family member to review your work. A fresh pair of eyes can help spot any potential issues or mistakes.

Cost Considerations:

The cost of creating a wedding album will depend on the materials, customisation, and size you choose. DIY photo books can be more affordable, ranging from $50 to $150, while traditional printed albums can cost anywhere from $200 to $800.

By following these steps, you will be able to finalise and print your wedding album, ensuring that your special day is preserved and can be relived for years to come.

Additional albums

Smaller Albums for Family and Friends

Consider creating smaller albums for close family members or members of the wedding party. These albums would typically include around 10 images and be substantially smaller in size than the main wedding album. They can be a perfect post-wedding gift and a way to share your special day with loved ones. It is often more time and cost-effective to create and order these smaller albums at the same time as your main album.

Themed Albums

If you have leftover photos that didn't make it into the main album, you can create smaller, themed albums. For example, you could make an album dedicated to all the table shots at the reception, so you have a record of every guest. Alternatively, you could create an album of all the formal portrait shots to ensure everyone is represented. Themed albums can also be a great way to meet expectations and include photos of certain people that you may feel pressured to include.

Digital Albums

In addition to physical albums, you can also create digital wedding albums. These can be easily shared with family and friends and displayed in digital photo frames. Digital albums offer flexibility and are a great way to showcase your wedding photos, especially if you have a large number of images. You can also include captions, anecdotes, and other text to add context and personality to your digital album.

Frequently asked questions