In our last blog post we talked about the hottest wedding photo album trends of 2024. And it inspired you to have our designers create your very own personalized on-trend keepsake. But let’s face it – the prospect of sifting through hundreds of wedding photographs and curating a selection that perfectly encapsulates your special day can be downright intimidating.
But fear not, we’re here to help. At PikPerfect, a family owned-business, we believe in the power of stories and the significance of the little moments that speak volumes. Our passion for capturing the true spirit of your memories, motivated us to create this framework to help you select the right photographs for an emotive photo album that tells a cohesive and compelling tale.
So join us as we delve into the art of layout design to turn your cherished memories into a visual masterpiece.
Pro Tip: While our customers most commonly select around 60 pages for their wedding album, you have the option to select up to 300 pages depending on wedding album type. For an album of 60 pages, we recommend about 130 – 180 photographs, so take the following as a guideline only, and add/remove photos as needed.
2-4 Spreads (4-8 Pages): The Prelude
Our designers typically devote the first few spreads of your wedding photo album to setting the scene. Select 10-18 photographs of your wedding invitation, rings, the wedding dress, and the venue, to create a sense of anticipation.
3–5 Spreads (6-10 pages): Pre-Wedding, Bride Version
We continue the narrative by including a mix of professional and candid shots of the bridal party, behind-the-scenes fun, emotional moments, and the getting-ready process. Select 12 – 20 images for this section of your wedding photo album.
3–5 Spreads (6-10 pages): Pre-Wedding, Groom Version
As we continue the process with the groomsmen, identify key behind-the-scenes moments and select 12-20 images that capture the mood of the groom and his wedding party.
4-5 Spreads (8-10 Pages): Stolen Moments & Portraits
In this section, our designers transition to individual portraits of the bride and groom, and for those couples who like a quiet moment to connect before the ceremony, captures of romantic moments and first looks. Select 16-20 photos for this section.
1-2 Spreads (2-4 Pages): Venue Details
Before we get into the heart of the album, our designers allocate a couple of spreads to the details. Typically these include images of the ceremony venue, with a focus on details that evoke the theme of your wedding day. Choose 5-10 photos for this section.
8-10 Spreads (16-20 Pages): The Ceremony
The heart of your wedding photo album lies in this section, so we assign a significant portion to capture the essence and importance of this pivotal time. Begin by selecting images of the guests, move on to photos of the wedding party, and finally, the bride walking down the aisle. Select a few of your favorite ceremonial shots of the vows, ring exchange, the kiss, and the departure, to round out this section. Include close-ups and wide-angle photos for variation and to ensure that no detail is missed. We recommend about 40 – 50 photographs for this section.
Also read: 22 Must Have Wedding Photographs
2-3 Spreads ( 4-6 Pages): The Married Couple
In this section we feature beautifully composed photographs of the now-married couple, interspersed with candid portraits that capture the romantic mood perfectly. We recommend 8 – 12 photos for this section of your wedding album.
3-5 Spreads (6-10 Pages): Group Photos
This is the section to include group photos with wedding guests, family and others. We recommend choosing 12-20 of your favorite group images.
8-10 Spreads (16-20 Pages): The Celebration
Next, we transition to the post-wedding celebration. The focus here is to capture the joyous atmosphere emphasizing laughter, dancing, fun moments and heartfelt embraces. Remember to select photos of important moments such as the best man’s speech, the first dance between the newly married couple, moments with the parents, the cake cutting, and any personalized wedding favors. We recommend about 40-50 photographs for this section of your wedding photo album.
1-2 Spreads (2-4 Pages): Extras
We understand that each wedding is unique, and you might want to include photos of moments that don’t quite fit into any of the buckets, but are special to you or unique to your wedding day. For instance, many customers like to include photo booth photos of their family and friends for a little splash of fun. Remember, this framework is a guide only. Ultimately, choose the photos that resonate the most with you, and we’ll include them through the album in a manner that contributes to the overall narrative. We recommend 6-10 photos for this section.
2 – 3 Spreads (4-6 Pages): The Parting Shot
Our designers typically conclude the album with a grand finale, featuring images of the departure, whether in a vintage car, a motorcyle (!), or under a shower of confetti. We also like to include a final group shot of the wedding party and a final wide-angle view of the venue. Choose 8-12 photos that leave a lasting impression on the viewer.
Getting Started
Whether you choose to let us sort through your wedding photographs with the help of our photo selection service, or decide to curate your own selection using the tips outlined above, remember, the hardest part is getting started. Treat the above as a guideline, include more or less photographs for each section according to your vision, and we will make it work! So upload your photos today and look forward to receiving a timeless wedding keepsake that will tell the tale of your wedding day flawlessly.
