Even if you decide to hire a professional wedding photographer, there's still a place for a do-it-yourself wedding photo album. Thanks to digital photography and high quality photo printing, the results don't have to look amateurish. In fact, you can create a coffee table book that tells your own story without spending a fortune. These albums are called photo books and they are changing the way we keep and share digital photos.
Photo books are printed and bound professionally by online services so they look just like a hardcover purchased in a store. There are sizes and designs to fit every wedding event, from engagement parties to showers. In addition to your main wedding album, think about creating a photo book as a bridesmaid gift, a guest book, or even wedding favor.
To create a wedding photo book, first, choose an online printing service like Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery, or Photoworks. Each of these online services carries a variety of photo book sizes and styles. Browse their catalog to find the style that suits you best. Create an account (registration is free), and upload the digital photos you want to use.
Next, design your the photo book using the online layout tools. It's surprisingly easy (and fun). Just drag and drop photos from your album into pre-designed page layouts. There are dozens of layouts to choose from featuring one to five or more photos per page. Because the book is printed using a state-of-the-art digital press, you can have photos printed right to the edge (called full bleed), something you can't have with a traditional album. Online editing tools let you crop, remove red-eye, and convert to black and white or sepia. Add captions to photos if you want, and choose the font style and size. The options are endless.
Finally, the cost will surprise you. The largest 12x12 albums cost between $60 and $70 and are usually leather. Standard size 8x11 albums cost about $30, and 5x7 mini albums start as low as $7.
Besides the quintessential wedding album, you can create a photo book for a number of other wedding related occasions. Here are some fun ideas.
Photo Guest Book
Create your own guest book for people to sign at the reception. Simply choose a 5x7 or 8x11 standard photo book style and add photos of you and your fiancé to the left-facing pages only, leaving the right side blank for notes, messages, and well wishes from all your guests.
Engagement Photo Book
Create a photo book that chronicles the story of your engagement as you plan it from day one. There's so much you'll want to include, from dress fittings to engagement parties, ring shopping, and decorating, visits with your wedding planner, choosing a florist...capture it all!
Wedding Shower Mini Book
Create a mini book of the bridal or couples shower. Remember the event with close-ups of the food, guests, gifts, silly games and of course the crazy hats.
Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Keepsake Books
Collect special photos of your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Use both old and current photos that show your history together, from childhood to your friendship today. From there, it's a snap to create a keepsake book you then give as a gift.
Honeymoon Photo Book
While the wedding celebration may be over, don't forget to create a fabulous photo book of your honeymoon. There are dozens of travel themed pages and layouts to choose from.
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