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Step 1
Take lots of pictures at the wedding. You don't need to compete with the professional wedding photographer. Let him/her take care of the posed pictures. You can move around capturing candid moments and photos of people participating in the wedding and reception. Try to get flattering photos of family and friends. Watch out for distracting background elements.
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Step 2
Choose a site that lets you make an online photo book. There are dozens of these, but my experience is with Webshots, Photoworks and Blurb. I found Blurb to be a little more reasonably priced, so now I'm using it the most. I found the paperback photo books look a little skimpy and cheap (even when they aren't cheap). I recommend choosing a good-sized hardback book for your custom photo book. You want your gift to showcase the work you put into it.
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Step 3
Upload your digital photos to the photo book publishing site that you've chosen. Generally I put the photos into the book in chronological order. The artistic part comes in how you group the photos on each page. Pick out some shots that you want to feature and put those in as a full-page. They will really stand out.
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Step 4
To make the pictures more interesting, use a variety of photo layouts. The photo sites have some standard groupings for 2, 3, 4 and more pictures on a page. Use some repetition of layout here and there to give continuity, but don't just pick one arrangement for the whole book. That's too static.
You can get ideas by previewing photo books published by other people on Blurb. The site lets you view fifteen pages of each book. I've included the link below in Resources for this. -
Step 5
If you have lots of similar pictures like the bridesmaids walking down the aisle, you can group those. Also group pictures if you want to show the many wedding guests. If your pictures aren't high-resolution, then they have to go into smaller photo boxes in the book.
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Step 6
Include photos showing little details like the decorations on the tables or the look on someone's face as the bride walks down the aisle. These are memories that the professional wedding photographer is likely to miss. Try to get a photo of the front of the church to include.
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Step 7
To enhance the digital photo book, add in some poetry or quotations relating to love and weddings. Usually the online photo book sites offer a range of text fonts. For a wedding book, I like a script that looks like elegant handwriting.
You can find wedding quotations online or visit the library for a book of love poems. -
Step 8
Notice what flowers and colors were used in the wedding. Incorporate these into the custom photo book you are making. If it's roses, lilies or daisies, you can go to a Walmart and take some close-up photos in the fresh flower case or go to a florist and ask if you can take pictures. Intersperse these with the photos taken at the wedding. The wedding colors can become the background colors in the bound photo book.
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Step 9
Review the book carefully before clicking on PUBLISH THIS BOOK. You don't want any spelling errors or duplicate photos. Use the spell check, but also, review it word-for-word.
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Step 10
Wrap and present the custom photo book to the newlyweds or if you live far away, have it mailed directly to them. They will treasure it as a special momento from their wedding day.
Comments
goodselfme said
on 7/8/2009 Lovely wedding gift idea. 5* I am new to the group of over 50 I sent you a recommend too.
jennjessop said
on 6/30/2009 Wow this is a great idea! Great article too! five stars!
karileighk said
on 6/30/2009 I like this idea because it can become a real treasure later in life. *5
magnadea said
on 6/30/2009 Very nice personalized gift. 5*
EarthMother said
on 6/30/2009 How to Make a Wedding Photo Book for a Gift is a project I personally love doing when I go to an event that i had a great time at. I just keep the album though. LOL Smile!