Your wedding…..that most special day when your life begins a new chapter. Did you hire a professional to capture quality images? Where are those images now?

This wedding album is 69 years old, from the 1950’s when print and display options were limited. There are 12 black and white prints in protective sleeves, inside a spiral bound, padded album….and it is a cherished heirloom.

Modern technology has not only increased the quantity of wedding images taken, but also made immeasurable display methods available making choosing the best way to display your wedding images a bit confusing.

That’s the reason for this post…..gentle guidance to help you choose.

We will concentrate on the three most popular methods—albums, books, and print boxes—looking at what each item is, rather than the myriad of options for each one. (We’ll save that info for another post after you decide what you want!)

ALBUMS

• Paper Type: Professional lustre photo paper with UV coating.
• Construction: Photo paper images mounted to premium substrate making pages rigid.
• Page Style: Lay-flat or “flush” mount pages have no break or binding between the two adjacent pages allowing for continuous image across the spread.
• Cover Options: Fabric, leather, print or combination over hardcover, with debossed text and padding available.
• Pages Available: From 5 to 30 spreads. One spread = two facing pages.
• Size Options: From 6×6” to 11×14” including vertical and horizontal rectangle sizes.
• Finished Product: Substantial, heavier product with higher price point.

Fabric cover with front cut out.	Leather cover or combo leather and print cover.
White or black substrate	Lay-flat album showing one spread (2 pages)

BOOKS

• Paper Type: Uses press paper in semi-gloss, linen, pearl, or matte finish.
• Construction: Images printed directly on pressed paper, no substrate, with images on each side of the page.
• Page Style: Pages bound at spine like a traditional book or use of “hinge” for lay-flat style with separation between pages.
• Cover Options: Fabric, leather, print or combination over hardcover with foil-stamping option on leather.
• Pages Available: From 20 to 90 sides for “magazine style” books. Lay-flat hinged books from 20 to 40, 50, or 60 sides depending on paper selected.
• Size Options: From 5×5” to 12×12” including vertical and horizontal rectangle sizes.
• Finished Product: Lightweight, thinner and less expensive than an album.

Lay-flat hinged book	Combo fabric / print cover showing lay-flat hinge
Traditional book binding	Lay-flat hinged book inside detail

PRINT BOXES

• Paper Type: Professional lustre photo paper with embossed texture and UV coating.
• Prints: 5×7” and 4×6” prints, with or without matting.
• Construction: Image boxes – hardcover substrate wrapped on cover, spine, and back with optional image on inside lid panel. Wood boxes – solid box with slide-off lid and optional false bottom for USB drive storage.
• Cover Options: Image boxes – fabric, leather, print or combination over hardcover. Wood boxes – printed image or engraved design on lid. Wood grain shows through lighter colors.
• Capacity: Image boxes – holds 100 to 800 un-matted prints or 10 to 80 matted prints. Wood boxes – hold 200 or 350 prints, 20 or 35 matted prints. Capacity of each style depends on box size.
• Finished Product: Professional customized presentation box or natural wood box to hold your wedding images. Price will vary according to size, capacity, and options selected.

Custom cover image box with un-matted prints	Leather covered image box with matted prints
Wood storage box with printed lid and false bottom	Lid detail on wood box for print storage

No matter which method you decide to use for displaying your wedding images, aim to get something in hand within six months of your wedding day. Your emotions will still be fresh enough to enjoy the project but far enough removed to make final cut selections with a critical eye.

Be it album, book, or box of prints, have something tangible you can hold and share while snuggling with your grandchildren when they ask about your wedding day. You will both be glad you transformed your wedding images into an heirloom you and your posterity can appreciate for years to come.