When your wedding day is over, one of the last things remaining are your wedding photos. From getting ready and walking down the aisle, to dancing at the reception and the big sendoff—so many things will be documented, and not just by your photographer or videographer.
Instagram is arguably the top social media platform for a wedding to be displayed, and your guests will be snapping photos throughout the day. So, why not turn all those awesome photos into a gorgeous photo album? There are so many websites available to print Instagram photos, and turning them into a photo book is one of the best ways to save all the memories.
Create a Wedding Hashtag
Wedding hashtags are rising in popularity and is one of the easiest ways to gather all your wedding photos from Instagram. Choosing your hashtag can be just as easy. Start with something personal like your new last name or the wedding date. Puns and wordplay are another great starting point. Just be sure to keep it short, simple, and easy to remember. Try to avoid misspellings and capitalize the first letter of each word so it’s easier to read.
Courtesy: hitched.co.uk
If you’re stuck and need some good ideas, there are tons of websites that have a hashtag generator. We recommend Wedding Hashtag Wall, Wedding Wire, and Wedding Hashers. You should also check that the hashtag hasn’t been used before. You don’t want your photos getting mixed in with someone else’s.
Once you land on a hashtag, make sure your guests know to use it throughout the day. You can post your hashtag on your wedding website, your save-the-dates, and create a sign to display at your reception.
Setting up a Photo Area
Now that your hashtag is set, it’s time to think about setting up a photo area for your reception. A photo booth or backdrop is a great way to encourage guests to snap some photos and use your hashtag. Start by researching how to DIY your own backdrop—think PVC pipes with some ribbon hanging down, a wooden wall with some dangling lights, or some lush floral or greenery. If your photo area is outside, consider adding some extra lights for brighter photos.
Courtesy: theknot.com
Next, find some fun props for people to pose with like hats, wigs, and signs. Some party supply stores (or Amazon) sell packages of paper mustaches, lips, and other things. You can also buy a large cardboard sign and make it look like a fake Instagram post with your hashtag listed at the bottom. Another option is to create a sign for the prop table, like a chalkboard or picture frame, and display your hashtag that way.
Selecting Photos That Print Well
Once the wedding is over and you’re ready to create your photo book, it’s time to select which Instagram photos to print. The number one thing to remember is that Instagram photos print better in a smaller size, so it’s best to choose only 3-4 photos to print per page for the best quality.
Courtesy: lauriecosgrove.com
Instagram doesn’t allow you to print your photos directly from the platform, so you need to download them to your phone’s camera roll. Search your hashtag on Instagram, and then screenshot the photo and crop as needed. It may be fun to include the original caption as well!
If you’re taking a screenshot of a photo your vendor posted, be sure to get their written consent to print the photo. Without their consent, you’re facing copyright infringement and a possible fine.
Where to Get Your Photo Book Made
There are so many websites that print awesome photo books. Most of them are easy to use, and some even offer templates to help you arrange your photos in a cool way. Here are some of our favorites!
Courtesy: alignalbumdesign.com
My Social Book
Whether you want a hardcover or softcover book, My Social Book is a great choice. These high-quality photo books are perfect for Instagram photos and the covers are totally customizable by color, size, and personal style.
Blurb
Blurb is another great option. There are three different cover options and pages are easy to edit. All you have to do is log into your Instagram account through Blurb’s website, your photos appear by date, and you edit from there!
Shutterfly
One of the most well-known printing websites is Shutterfly. The website literally features hundreds of personalized items to purchase like calendars, coffee mugs, and of course, photo books.
The website has a new “Make My Book” service where brides can upload photos to the site and a designer lays out the book for you within three days. You can make edits/rearrange the pages from there. If you decide to design your own book, there are idea pages available to help you along the way.
Artifact Uprising
If you’re looking for a more high-end look and feel, Artifact Uprising is the way to go. These photo books cost a little more, but the covers are super luxurious. Up to 200 pages are allowed in the album, so no photo will be left behind.
No matter which option you choose, you’ll love the end result. Trust us, you’ll be staring at those wedding photos for years to come, so choose something that makes you happy!