6 Reasons to Print your Photos and Invest in a Wedding Album

So you’ve found your wedding photographer or are exploring different photography packages, and the question of a wedding album has come up. Are they worth the cost, and what are the reasons for having one created?

There’s something timeless and irreplaceable about holding a physical photo, especially when it comes to one of the most significant days of your life—your wedding.

Why You Should Print your Wedding Photos

Most wedding photographers will offer a wedding album as part of their package or as an additional option. You might not have considered this when setting your wedding budget, but here are five reasons why it’s worth finding a little extra to have an album created for you.

1. Something Physical you can touch

Let’s face it—digital files are easily forgotten. They get tucked away in folders on our devices, often collecting digital dust. Printed photos, on the other hand, become part of your daily life. They adorn your mantle, your walls, and your photo album is always ready to transport you back in time.

Once your wedding is over, you’ll want to revisit those precious moments. While scrolling through photos on your phone, iPad, or computer is convenient, it’s not the same as flipping through a physical book. Most photographers provide digital files via USB or download links, and some offer online galleries. But nothing compares to unplugging and enjoying your photos in a tangible, physical book.

Even though Kindles have been around for years, people still buy physical books. Similarly, photos on a USB stick are often relegated to a drawer, easily forgotten.

There’s something special about the high-quality feel, touch, and even the smell of a freshly printed album. An album is unique to you—a cherished keepsake that allows you and your partner to sit down and relive your wedding day page by page.

Photographers use top-notch printing services to produce stunning albums with high-quality paper and beautiful binding. Album covers can be made from leather, vinyl, wood, or cloth. You can discuss these options with your photographer to create an album that perfectly suits your style and preferences.

2. A great way to show family and friends

When you see friends and family, there’s something special about showing them a physical album—a book they can leaf through, showcasing your beautiful photos. Lay-flat albums are particularly wonderful for this purpose, as they can be placed on a table, allowing multiple people to enjoy the photos as you go through them together.

Instead of simply sending a link for online viewing, invite friends over to relive the day with you. Sharing a tangible album creates a more personal and memorable experience.

3. A Beautiful story

A wedding album is a unique storybook of your day, capturing everything from getting ready and the moment your bridesmaids see you in the dress, to arriving in the car, walking down the aisle, the smile on your partner’s face, the tear in your mum’s eye, and the celebration and joy on your guests’ faces. This book, crafted by your photographer, is a carefully curated collection that tells the beautiful story of your wedding. Your photographer will select and order photos to create a narrative that helps you relive the day, making their role in producing the album invaluable.

While you could create this yourself using online platforms, it requires considerable time to choose, order, position, and lay out the photos. A professional photographer has the experience to layout and structure the album effectively. They will select images that complement each other and create an album that beautifully tells the story of your day.

Having your photographer handle this process means you’ll experience the excitement of seeing the finished album for the first time, which will bring tears of joy and happiness as you relive your wedding day.

4. Something to treasure

A wedding album is something you will treasure forever. This little book will hold all your memories of one of the happiest days of your life. You’ll keep it safe, share it with family, and occasionally reach for it to relive your special day.

When you have children and want to show them Mum and Dad getting married, you’ll turn to the wedding album. This book tells your story and is something you will certainly cherish. Unlike a USB hidden away in a drawer, you’ll keep this book within easy reach.

5. Beautiful Journey Back in Time

One of the delights of having printed photos is the ability to revisit your wedding day whenever you wish. As the years pass, these prints act as a time machine, allowing you to relive your special day. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or simply reminiscing, your prints hold the key to time travel.

Another joy of having printed wedding photos is the opportunity to surprise your spouse with an anniversary gift that’s truly special. Whether it’s a new framed photo, an updated album, or a collage of your most cherished moments, you can keep the romance alive with the gift of printed memories.

Printed wedding photos also hold the power to inspire and teach. For your children, they become a window into your love story, a testament to love, commitment, and the beauty of your relationship. These prints can serve as a meaningful legacy, passing on the lessons of love and celebration.

6. Gifts and Memories for Parents and friends

Having an album printed for your proud parents makes a wonderful gift and allows them to treasure and relive the day. You could consider creating a smaller album to give to parents, bridesmaids, and other family members, while keeping a larger album just for you.

Wedding Album FAQ’s

Those are just some reasons why you should consider including a wedding album in your photography package. However, there are a few other options and factors that might make you reconsider.

What about cost?

Wedding albums come with a variety of options that can affect the cost. The number of pages, the type of cover (leather bound versus cloth), and the size of the album (such as A4 versus a smaller square mini-album) all play a role in determining the price. Costs can range from £150 to £500 or more, depending on your choices and the photographer.

Many photographers offer albums as an additional service with a set price based on the number of pages and type of album. Others include an album in their wedding photography packages, which covers both the cost of capturing your wedding day and the creation of the album.

Keep in mind that you’re paying for the photographer’s time to design and produce the album, as well as for a high-quality product that goes beyond the typical phonebook-style albums available online.

Speak to your wedding photographer about the options they offer. If you are in the early stages of selecting a photographer, mention your interest in an album.

What if I did it myself?

Of course, you could create the album yourself, but it involves dedicating time to sit down and complete the task. You’ll need to find a high-quality printer, use their album platform software to design the layouts, and then select and arrange the photos.

It’s easy to start the project and then delay it, thinking, “I’ll come back to it later.” There’s something special about receiving a professionally printed album and experiencing the excitement of seeing your wedding day captured in a beautifully crafted book. While doing it yourself might be cheaper, there’s a risk you might never get around to finishing it.

What is a “lay flat” wedding album?

The term “lay flat” refers to an album design where, when the book is open, it lies perfectly flat without any bending or lifting at the spine. This is ideal for showcasing large photos that span across pages, as it ensures that the entire image is visible without distortion. The images above illustrate how lay flat albums present a seamless view of your photos.

Remember, your wedding photos are your memories, a story of your day, you have hired a professional wedding photographer to capture your day. Why not let the professionals created a beautiful album for you too.

Final thoughts

You don’t need to print every wedding photo, but having some printed or included in an album is a must.

Printed wedding photos are more than just snapshots; they are time capsules brimming with emotion and memory, capturing the beauty and significance of your special day. Choose to print your wedding photos, and you’ll create treasures that will last a lifetime and be cherished for years to come.