We take photos of everything from travel destinations to lunar eclipses. When it comes to really special events, though, it's difficult to overstate the importance of a wedding day. In fact, a bride could easily show up in thousands of photos between family, friends and the wedding photographer.
Once you've got your favorite photos from Facebook and your photographer, though, what comes next? Well, it's obviously time to make the wedding photo album.
Keep in mind that this can't just be thrown together. Fortunately, creating the perfect album - also called a photobook - is a simple process.
1. Keep Photos in Chronological Order
Many albums are just thrown together in random order, and this is perfectly acceptable when we're adding images from throughout our lives. When it comes to an unforgettable wedding photo album, though, it makes more sense when photos appear in order.
Of course, there's much more to it than simply making chronological sense. By putting the images in order, you're also telling the story of your wedding day as it unfolded. As you turn each page, you're able to experience every emotion leading up to the fateful moment of "I do."
Keep in mind that your wedding photo album shouldn't only consist of just your special day. You need a little buildup as well! Consider positioning images in your photobook in the following order.
- Welcome reception for out-of-town guests
- Rehearsal dinner
- Photos of bride, bridesmaids, bride and groom, and wedding party
- Ceremony
- Cocktail hour
- Sunset photos
- First dance
- Toasts and parent dances
- Cake cutting
- Open dance floor
- Grand exit
Don't get worried if things aren't done in this order or even if there are activities that didn't occur. This is your special day, and your wedding photo album should represent the actual experience.
The best part? Even friends and family who couldn't make it can get a feel of your wedding in this manner.
2. Switch Up Sizes and Arrangements
If we look at our photo albums from the '90s, it's typical for every image to be the exact same size and the layout to remain consistent. When building the perfect wedding photo album, though, changing things up allows you to call attention to the most important aspects of your day.
Photos that are especially important - such as walking down the aisle or the first kiss - are so special that they demand their own pages. Fun and exciting memories also have their place, but these images can be posted along with others on a separate page.
It's also ideal to play around with layouts to get the perfect visual appeal. Images on the same page can be different sizes as long as you're trying to convey the importance of one moment.
Don't allow a non-essential photo to detract from others just because it fits perfectly in the layout. Choose another size!
3. Focus on One Spread at a Time
Unlike a typical book, wedding photo albums aren't viewed on a page-by-page basis. Each page turned presents an entirely new spread - the two pages opened in the album simultaneously - that people take in as a whole.
While chronological order is important, each spread is even more so. Fortunately, this isn't an incredibly difficult endeavor.
Start by viewing the two pages as one and keep either the style or content consistent. Are most of your images in color but a few looked exceptionally great in black and white? Have a spread devoted to those images. Have you reached the chronological point of the reception? Don't mix these photos with other moments in the spread.
If you peruse through a magazine, you'll see that everything flows smoothly thanks to a focus on spreads. It creates certain poetry within your album that only adds to its enchantment.
4. Create a Custom Cover
We're always told not to judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to wedding photo albums, rest assured that everyone will. The cover you choose should make you want to pick up the photobook every time you lay eyes upon it.
While choosing an image that represents the entire album may seem daunting, it can actually be a simple process as long as you remember the golden rule:
This is your day.
Choose one of your favorite pictures from the day and go with it. If a single moment speaks to your heart and immediately brings back the happiness of that special day, then that's the image that deserves front-and-center attention.
You also have the option of creating a collage of your favorite photos to serve as the cover. Many who go this route make the first photo in the album their absolute favorite. You should also add spine text to commemorate the occasion. Here are a few ideas:
- New titles (e.g. Mr. and Mrs. Smith)
- Wedding date and location
- Romantic title (e.g. "Our Love Story")
The cover of your wedding photo album will be everyone's first impression of the day. Make sure it's a good one.
5. Minimize Wedding Photo Album Captions
A picture is worth a thousand words. When that picture is part of your wedding photo album, though, it says more than any words ever could. With this being the case, why would you clutter things up with a ton of captions? Let your wedding photos speak for themselves.
Of course, there are instances where captions might be necessary. Was there a funny memory that isn't fully conveyed by the photographic reaction? A caption can certainly do it justice. Additionally, there will likely be large group photos that need a caption to list everyone in the image.It's all about the right balance.
It's okay for captions to be scattered throughout an album to ensure a moment is fully captured. Make sure, however, to not use so many that they become a distraction from the photographs' beauty.
6. Make Sure Everyone is Included
No matter how hard you try, it's going to be difficult to narrow down your favorite photos and choose which go in your wedding photo album. One way to simplify this process is to make a list of everyone important at your wedding and choose at least one photo featuring each individual.
This can go a long way when you're stuck between two or three images and someone important is only in one of them. This will not only make choosing which photos to include easier, but it will also ensure no one special is left out.
Going this route means you're not the only one who will cherish your album. Even if it is your special day, close friends and family will want a reminder that they were integral to that happiness. You can even consider printing out the best wedding photos as gifts!
7. Don't Forget Color Coordination
Even though it's the images in your wedding photo album that make it unique, you should still pay close attention to color coordination. This will ensure your album is aesthetically pleasing, cohesive and that plenty of thought was put into its creation.
To start, select page or colored fonts that match the colors used at your wedding. Your flower arrangements, bridesmaids' dresses and countless other features created a certain atmosphere on your special day. Choosing colors that match this atmosphere will increase sentimentality and emotion-evoking memories.
Happiness That Lasts Forever
While there's something to be said about scrolling down Facebook or sifting through photos in a box, having an actual wedding photo album is the best way to make reminiscing a cinch. The proper organization and design of this photobook will help capture the magic you felt on that special day.
When the stressors of everyday life start wearing away at us, there's nothing better than a momentary flashback to a happy moment. And if you get your wedding photo album right, there will be plenty of memories to put a smile on your face all in one condensed and beautiful location.