How to Choose Photos for Your Wedding Album

Your reference guide as you choose images for your wedding album. 

I’ve already given the reasons why I think everyone should move past “just digital files” and opt for printing their wedding pictures and making beautiful wedding albums.  Below is my guide on how to choose photos for your wedding album.  

The amount of images you have in your wedding album corresponds to the size of your wedding and the hours of wedding day coverage. Keep in mind that the more family and guests you want to have in our album, the bigger it gets.  I suggest you begin by choosing 40 as a starting point.

Choose the images that you feel the most connection to and that showcase the moments you want to preserve and remember. There is no one-size-fits-all formula. Just like each relationship, each wedding and each marriage, each wedding album is different.

It comes down to these two things: Look for the essentials. Trust your instincts. This album will tell your story – and your story is important. 

Here are the highlights to look for when you are choosing photos for your wedding album. 

SETTING THE WEDDING SCENE

Choose an establishing shot or one hero image that sums up the romance of the day. This could be an image of the venue, a wide- angle view of the ceremony, or one of your favorite portraits of the two of you. Like a movie preview, this establishing shot gives an overview of the day, before the wedding day story begins.

GETTING READY: BEFORE THE WEDDING

Select your favorites from the time before the ceremony begins. These finishing touches before vows are said are a lovely part of the wedding day story. Find the meaningful details and moments as you prepare for the wedding ceremony.

WEDDING FIRST LOOK

Did you do a First Look before the guests arrived? Look for a mix of action, reaction and portraits from this reveal. Include scenic images that showcase your surroundings in addition to closer framing of your faces as you see each other for the first time.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

Don?t forget your wedding party and family portraits! This selection doesn?t need to be traditional or formal. If both sides of the families were represented, make sure to include an even mix.

WEDDING CEREMONY

The wedding day hinges on the ceremony. Here, go for a mix of wide shots and close-up of the action. The ring exchange and the kiss are key. Did someone speak, or give a blessing?  Include any special parts of your ceremony.

WEDDING COUPLE PORTRAITS

Opt for a mix of wide and close-up images of the two of you together. These can be both portraits and candid moments.

WEDDING RECEPTION

You both chose this particular location for a reason. Pick images of the venue and the details that made your celebration unique. Things like guest seating or menu cards, your dessert table or a Revolutionary War Reenactment fife and drum.

WEDDING DANCING

There?s connection, laughter, sometimes tears during these dance steps. Opt for some images from your first dance together. If you also danced with your parents, include images from parent dances.

WEDDING TOASTS

Go for both action (the person toasting) and the reaction (your emotional response) for the toasts. These will be designed with the speakers on one side and your reactions to their words on the other.

WEDDING CAKE

Did you cut into your wedding cake, or pie, with glee? Was there smashing? Kissing? Cute children waiting anxiously? Choose one one or two photos that stand out to you.

WEDDING PARTY/AFTER PARTY

Make sure you immortalize a handful of those killer party dance moves on the pages of your album. Look for celebratory movement, laughter, and sweat. Some dance moves are forever.

CLOSING SHOT

Think about an image with which to end your wedding album. Did I whisk you off the dance floor to make an evening portrait of the two of you? Do you want to use an image that sums up the party? You could even close with a detail image of your rings. Think final credits of a movie you love and want to watch all over again.

I love photographing weddings and sending the final images off to clients in gorgeous heirloom albums that are sure to be treasured.  

Want learn more about wedding photography and wedding albums? Just ask!