Curating Your Wedding Album: Capturing The Day's Magic

what to put in wedding photo album

A wedding photo album is a way to immortalise the special moments of your big day and relive those memories for years to come. The perfect album will tell the story of your wedding day, from the preparations to the departure, with a cohesive beginning, middle, and end. The number of photos you include will depend on the size of your album, but it's recommended to choose around two photos per page to avoid overloading it. In terms of content, it's a good idea to include a mix of candid shots, close-ups, detailed captures, scenic photos, and portraits. You can also vary the sizes and orientation of photos, alternating between full-page spreads and multi-photo collages. When it comes to the structure, you may want to arrange your photos in chronological order or divide them into sections for each important moment. Finally, don't forget to choose a theme and cover that reflects your style and complements your wonderful photos.

Characteristics Values
Number of photos Between 2 photos per page to avoid overloading the album, and 2 photos for every wedding moment
Photo selection Candid shots, detailed captures, portraits, scenic photos, wide shots, close-ups, and funny photos
Photo editing Retouching, smoothing skin, whitening teeth, removing distractions from the background
Photo arrangement Chronological order, or a thematic sequence that best narrates the wedding day
Photo narrative Telling the story of the wedding day, from the preparations to the departure
Photo layout Double-page layout for wide shots, collages for multiple photos, alternating between black and white and colour photos
Photo sections Pre-ceremony, ceremony, portraits, reception, bride and groom, family photos, guests
Photo direction Clean, natural, simple, and fresh design that will be timeless
Photo accents Text, design accents, and white space to give layouts "breathing room"
Album theme Editorial, romantic, rustic, chic, minimalist, deco, watercolour, baroque, modern
Album cover Romantic portrait of the couple, simple cover with names and a photo, colour theme of the wedding

shunbridal

Choose a theme and layout

The theme and layout of your wedding album should reflect your unique style as a couple. The wedding album theme you choose will help determine the style of your book and offer templates for its pages. Pick one that reflects your aesthetic and that of your wedding. You want the template you are working with to complement the photos you’re filling it with.

A wedding album should be all about you and your significant other, so don't fill it with shots of your guests. If you want to include a section dedicated to your guests, opt for photos that also include the bride and groom, like a shot of everyone dancing.

A few examples of wedding album themes include:

  • Editorial Wedding Coffee Table Book for a sophisticated, minimalist look.
  • Romantic Watercolor Wedding Coffee Table Book with a sweet floral cover illustration.
  • Rustic Chic Wedding theme, perfect for photos of outdoor events in nature.
  • Minimalist Deco Wedding with chic linear accents in silver and gold.
  • Watercolor Wedding adorned with delicate, painterly pastel hues.

Themes are always 100% customisable, so you can mix and match design elements and add your own ideas. Browse various different themes to take inspiration from their fun and unique layouts.

The layouts – meaning the arrangements of photos and other design elements – are key to giving your album a professional, cohesive look. You can follow the suggested layouts of your theme, use the Auto-Layout feature, and preview alternative layouts to determine which is the best fit.

Some tips for creating the layout of your wedding photo book include:

  • Include a variety of candid and scenic photos to break up blocks of portraits.
  • Highlight sentimental photos, but also funny ones that make you smile.
  • Vary the sizes and orientation of photos, alternating between full-page photo spreads and multi-photo collages.
  • Avoid putting faces in the page creases.
  • Consider breaking up your photo spreads with text and design accents.
  • Utilise white space to give the layouts “breathing room”.
The Perfect Bag for Your Wedding Day

You may want to see also

shunbridal

Select photos that tell a story

A wedding album is a big project, so give yourself time to think it through and edit your photos. It's about laying down the blueprint of your love story, ensuring every page reflects the beauty and emotion of your special day.

The images you select should tell the story of your wedding day from beginning to end. Start with a formal wedding shot, then move on to the preparations, the ceremony, and the departure. Include the groom and groomsmen getting ready, the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time, and the bride with her bridesmaids. The ceremony site before the guests arrived, any decorations and details like flowers and backdrops, the bride walking down the aisle, the groom's reaction, the first kiss, and the happy couple walking out are all key moments.

After the ceremony, include photos of the newlyweds with their favourite people, the bridal party, and family photos. End with the events after the wedding, like the first dance and guests on the dance floor. Night-time shots or photos as the sun is setting are a perfect closing image.

A mix of wide shots, close-ups, and candid moments will keep the narrative engaging. Include a variety of candid and scenic photos to break up blocks of portraits. Highlight sentimental photos, but also funny ones. Vary the sizes and orientation of photos, alternating between full-page spreads and multi-photo collages.

shunbridal

Include a range of shots

A wedding album is a project worth investing time and thoughtful consideration in. It should tell the story of your wedding day, from beginning to end, and include a range of shots.

Firstly, it's important to include a mix of wide shots and close-ups. A double-page layout can showcase a wide shot of the newlyweds dancing, for example, with more personal, up-close photos alongside it. A wide shot of the ceremony site before the guests arrived could be followed by a close-up of the bride and groom's first kiss as a married couple.

Secondly, vary the types of shots you include. Candid shots, detailed captures, portraits, and scenic photos should all feature. You could include shots of the bride and groom getting ready, the groom's reaction to seeing the bride for the first time, and the bride and groom surrounded by their favourite people. It's also a good idea to include photos of the bridal party and family photos.

Thirdly, while the album should focus on the bride and groom, it's nice to include some photos of guests, especially if they also include the happy couple, such as a shot of everyone dancing.

Finally, if you have time, include some nighttime shots or photos as the sun is setting. These often serve as the perfect closing shot, conveying the atmosphere of the night. The first dance is an important shot, as are photos of guests on the dance floor.

shunbridal

Consider the cover design

The cover of your wedding photo album is important as it is the first thing people will see and it should represent the mood of your wedding album. Here are some ideas for the cover design:

  • Choose an impactful image that sets the tone for your album. If romance is what you remember most about your wedding, consider a close-up, intimate shot of you and your partner. Alternatively, a detailed shot of your rings or a wide-angle shot of your venue or location can also be great choices.
  • Consider using your wedding colour scheme for the cover. You can also use colours to group photographs together to create a changing colour scape throughout your album.
  • If you prefer a plain cover, put some thought into the title. Your and your partner's initials along with the wedding date make a beautiful and minimalistic cover title.
  • If you want to include text on a cover with an image, laying text over your photograph creates a contemporary feel, while placing the text in a border underneath your photograph is more classic and traditional.
  • Both hardcover and lay-flat cover types are ideal for wedding albums. You can also consider a Signature Layflat Album for a baroque wedding, a Wedding Layflat Album for a minimalist wedding, or a Hardcover Wedding Photo Book for a modern wedding.
  • Popular colours for the cover are pewter or mint, and you can also choose from a range of stylish cover materials such as leather, cotton, and silk.

shunbridal

Add text and accents

When creating a wedding album, it's important to consider the overall layout and design. While the photos are the main focus, adding text and accents can enhance the visual appeal and storytelling of your album. Here are some tips to consider:

Choose a Theme and Style

Select a theme and style that reflect your taste as a couple and complement the photos. Popular themes include minimalist, romantic, rustic, and watercolour. You can also customise and mix-and-match design elements to make it unique. The theme will guide your choice of text and accents.

Text Placement and Content

When adding text, less is more. Avoid adding excessive comments to your photos, and let the images speak for themselves. However, you can include important captions or comments next to certain photos, such as the names of the bride and groom, the wedding party, or the song for your first dance. You can also use text to create a narrative arc, with a cohesive beginning, middle, and end.

Accents and Embellishments

Accents and design elements can be used to break up photo spreads and give them a professional, cohesive look. Consider using decorative accents, such as linear accents in silver and gold, or delicate pastel hues for a watercolour theme. You can also vary the sizes and orientation of photos, alternate between full-page spreads and collages, and utilise white space to create a minimalist, elegant feel.

Customisation and Personalisation

Your wedding album should reflect your unique personalities and style. Consider customising your album with personalised touches, such as your names, wedding date, or a romantic quote. You can also include dedications or special messages to your significant other or family members.

Complementing the Photos

The text and accents should complement and enhance the photos, not overwhelm them. Avoid cluttering the pages and give each photo room to breathe. The goal is to create a timeless design that showcases the beauty and emotion of your special day.

Remember, your wedding album is a creative project that tells your love story, so feel free to experiment and personalise it to your liking!

Foundation for Your Wedding Day Glow

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended to organize your wedding photo album chronologically, from the preparations to the departure. Dividing your album into sections, one for each important moment, can make for easy organization.

A mix of wide shots, close-ups, and candid moments will keep the narrative engaging. It is also a good idea to include a variety of scenic photos, funny photos, and sentimental photos.

The cover is a key element of your photo album. Choose one 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 cover that incorporates your wedding's colour theme.

The number of photos you include will depend on the size of your album. On average, it is recommended to include two photos per page to avoid overloading the album. If you are having trouble narrowing down your selection, limit the number of photos per wedding moment.

Nighttime shots or photos as the sun is setting are great closing shots. Photos of the newlyweds dancing, the first dance, and guests on the dance floor will convey the atmosphere of the night.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment