The Ultimate guide to help you in that tedious task: selecting your wedding pictures.

Now that your wedding has been covered and your pictures delivered, you are granted a ton of photos to select from in order to create your wedding album!

But where should you start? Which picture should you select and which one is not necessary? That may seem overwhelming.

No worries. This task can be done in two or three hours in a row if you are motivated.

Or it might take a few days, depending on your preferences.

How many photos should you include in your wedding album?

All our albums start with 40 pages, and we recommend a maximum of 120 photos. Most albums can be upgraded up to 80 pages, so a maximum of 240 photos.

A minimalist layout: 3 images per page max.

Our layflat albums are designed to last for decades and be passed to the future generations. They are not only a keepsake, but a family heirloom that you will cherish and take care of.

Therefore, as newlyweds you want to make it timeless and elegant, you want a top quality album. As a consequence you need a minimalist design that focuses the viewer’s attention on your story.

In other words, you want 3 images maximum per page. That represents a maximum of 6 images per spread, with each spread representing a chapter of your book. That’s why, ideally, when you select pictures, prefer groups of 5 or 6.

Keep in mind that’s an average recommendation. Some spreads would be better with fewer elements. For instance, the bride and groom session would require fewer shots. But other spreads would handle more images (such as the groups).

1/ How to Cull your images, from a practical consideration

First, you need software to look at the image in large, and select the one you like. Let’s see what options you have.

But keep in mind that at the end, your wedding photographer will need your selection made using the web gallery.

Indeed, long text lists, or Excel files are the best way to make a mistake on image selection when designing your wedding album. And we don’t even mention the time wasted.

List of the most important moments of weddings days to include in wedding an album

Most Brides and Grooms would have the classical moments captured through wedding photography. The best shots of the day are then showcased in spreads. Of course, you would also add anything that would make your wedding celebration special!

Given there is nothing better than an example, here are examples of wedding album layout.

Which images should you choose in your album?

Now that you are well prepared, things can start getting serious. Here are my tips.
The answer to the question is pretty simple: you should trust your guts and include the images you love the best.
But we know it’s not as simple in the real world! So find here are a list of tips that will help you select the right images of your big day.

Make a first round of selection and Trim

When I select your wedding pictures, I first go to all the images I like, adding them to favorites.
Then I come back, and trim until I have only the best left.

Make a second round of selection, trim and trim again

You can do this second round immediately after the first, or wait a couple of hours/days, and come back to work. A fresh look might help you to take a distance. And you will see those images that all looked good to you, you will suddenly see which one is the best.

Make a third round, trim, until you are all done.

I know it’s the hardest part. Try to keep only the best of the best.

Keep in mind that some picture might as well be printed and framed, or do extra albums

You don’t need to put all the images you like into one album. Ask your photographer, you can order prints from other images and have them framed. If it really makes sense, you can even consider a second album! For instance, if you get married in several days, or if you had a reception wedding.

Keep in mind that you can add some extra pages to your wedding album.

Our 40-page album would suit most weddings. That said, some weddings have more great moments than others.

In such a scenario it might be worth upgrading to more pages if the budget allows it.

Pick images that tell a story

We say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” If possible, select images that tell a story, show complicity between people. Privilege quality over quantity.

Pick scenes if that make sense

If there are several images telling a very important scene, it is worth picking several pictures.

If there are several scenes, then it might be worth adding more pages.

Pick images that show the true nature of your guests

You probably have lots of options to choose from your bridal party and family members.

Don’t focus only on the most aesthetic portraits, but the one carrying a piece of authenticity. It can be a grin, an expression in the face, a raised eyebrow.

Pick the best and most beautiful images of both of you.

Selecting your own image is not always easy. What I usually do in my personal case is start with the first selection, and then I ask my wife to have a second look (that’s also a good way to know if any image needs to be rejected).

Funny image and timeless

If choosing a funny image (your groomsmen showing it’s but for instance), make sure it will remain fun in the future, and that’s not a momentary, private joke.

Avoid mixing color and black and white

Black and white prints and color prints don’t go well together side by side. Though, there are editorial tricks to separate them such as the white areas.

Avoid Two Images Similar

That’s probably the most important advice. Two images similar (ex two close-up portraits) will tend to fight each other. As a result their energies will tend to cancel each other out.

It’s better to spick only one image.

Pick image that create a sequence only if it’s really necessary

For instance, you might need to pick only one image when you walk down the aisle, except if you are crying and then your date makes a joke and makes you laugh.

Same idea during the ceremony. You were probably standing and facing each other for 15 minutes. Select the most emotional one.

Avoid image with imperfection

That may sound obvious. Your wedding photographer might have left a very few images that are intense in emotion, but technically questionable. Don’t pick it. Or if you do, be aware of the imperfection and embrace it.

Please your parents

If you picked a package including a photo book for your parents, make sure that they agree on your selection.

Image for your cover

Customization offered by some albums is to print a photo on the cover. In such a scenario, choose an image that can be cropped square.

Questions:

How much time do you have to select your photos?

The bride and groom should select their image and print their album while they are still in the wedding spirit. Therefore they have 3 months to select their images after the web gallery is released.

How do photographers arrange photos in a wedding album?

Photographers use some dedicated software, such as Fundy.

How many photos do you typically put on a wedding album?

Most people would go with 120 to 160 photos.

Do you put family photos in wedding albums?

Yes, of course, except if you hate your family.

Can we retouch any photos to include in your album?

Yes