When it comes to planning your wedding a lot of thought and hard work go into the big day. There are a ton of details to plan and it’s not until you’ve planned a wedding that you understand the amount of effort (and money) that goes into creating a day that’s meaningful and memorable. So if you put hundreds or thousands of hours (and dollars) into your wedding shouldn’t you preserve the memories in a way that you’ll always remember them? That’s where wedding albums come in!
What to think about when choosing your album:
1) Style
Since there are literally hundred of album companies out there it’s not hard to find something that reflects your style. Ask your photographer to show you a range of sample albums in different sizes, with different printing options.
Today its possible to choose from a variety of cover materials in an array of colors. Do you want something classic? Glamorous? Artsy? Modern? Companies such as Finao have taken the variety of album options to a whole new level. They have everything from zebra and ostrich print to classic matted albums that exude elegance.
2) Longevity
Think about your parents wedding album for a second. Is it dated looking? Maybe something along the lines of gold edged mats and heart shape cuts outs on the front? This is another consideration in your album design. Sometimes simple is better. This goes for both the layout of the photos inside and the materials on the outside. If you’re not the kind of person who would get a tattoo because you’ll regret it when you’re older, this might be a good time to think about classic leathers rather than hot pink backgrounds and zebra print covers. Who wants to say their wedding album was “soooooooo 2010″!
3) Price
Albums ain’t cheap. But this is for good reason. A professionally designed, archival album should last a lifetime. The bindings should stand up to the test of time and the paper and
printing process should make your photos look their best. There are tons of cheap, easy book printing options online for consumers. But I’ve tried them and I can without-a-doubt-say they don’t hold a candle to the companies your photographer can access for you. Plus you’re not just paying for the book. You’re paying for a professionally designed piece of art. Even if your photographer hands over the digital negatives for your use, will you really have the time or the expertise to make your own quality book? Will you look back at it in 10 years and wish you had done it differently?
4) Quality
Choose a high quality album with a durable cover material. Leather is classic, stands up to wear and tear, can be treated for water resistance and comes in a variety of colors. Even cooler are new options such as metal, acrylic (looks like
glass!) and canvas printed with any design/photo you want! The albums your photographer offers usually aren’t available to the general public. So the best way to make sure your album is of the highest quality is to work through a professional photographer.
The Take Away:
If you work with a professional photographer it’s likely they’ve done the leg work for you. It can take hours to narrow down the field of options to 2 or 3 albums companies that fit the photographers price range, style of shooting and material preferences. So be thankful you don’t have to bother! Most photographers will offer you an album credit or wedding packages that include albums. Think about a way to fit this in your budget. Ultimately this is the one lasting visual from your wedding day. One you can share with your children, family and friends. This is your legacy, preserve it!
