Madison's isthmus, framed by Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, gives couples a setting few cities can match. If you married here, you probably have photographs of sunsets over water, the Capitol dome and gardens that glow in summer. Here is how to turn them into an album, a magazine or both.
The album as an heirloom
An album is the complete story of your wedding. Folio Forever albums come in 12x24, 16x24, 15x30 and 20x30 inches, and can hold up to 40 spreads.
Choose lay-flat binding if your gallery includes sweeping lake views, since photos can run across both pages without a seam. Classic binding is a good, lower-cost way to get the same sizes and designer.
Think of an album as the thing you will pull from a shelf at your tenth anniversary and show to your kids.
A larger size shows off group portraits and wide terrace scenes well. A 20x30 album is very large, which suits couples with big family photographs, while 12x24 sits comfortably on most shelves.
The magazine as a quick story
The wedding magazine is 20 pages, 8.5x11 inches, laid out in an editorial style with 15 original styles to choose from. It is $70 and you preview every page.
Its smaller scale suits the many friends and relatives who will love it but may not want something large. In a city with a lot of renters, it is also easy to store and hard to damage.
If you married in winter or on a rainy day, the magazine's editorial layouts suit moody, close-up photography as well as sunny scenes, so there is no need to feel you missed out on a bright gallery.
Which should you choose?
If you want one definitive keepsake, order an album. If you want something to share widely, a magazine is more practical. If you order both, they serve different purposes: the album is the keepsake and the magazine is the copy you hand round.
If you are undecided, start with the magazine. You can always design an album from the same photos later, when you have more time to consider the cover and size.
Budget can also guide you. An album starts at $240 for a 12x24 classic, and a magazine is $70, so a magazine first and an album later is a perfectly reasonable plan.
Selecting the best photos
Go through your gallery with a simple question: does this photo tell me something about the day? Tag the images that do, and then cut those that overlap.
Madison weddings often include outdoor photos in multiple lighting conditions, from the bright midday sun on the terrace to dusky shots by the water. Using a variety of these gives your album a natural rhythm.
Look for moments that are particular to Madison. A bike leaning against a fence by the lake, friends gathered on a terrace, or a toast with the Capitol in the background all anchor the story in place.
Do a final pass for balance. A good album alternates between big, quiet images and busy, joyful ones, so the pages never feel the same from one to the next.
Displaying and gifting
Albums look best displayed on a console or shelf where they are easy to pick up. Magazines can sit on a coffee table or be framed in pieces if you like the layout.
For parents and grandparents, order extra magazines and add a short note. Express delivery is $60, Standard $32 and Economy $12. If a book arrives with a print or binding defect, transit damage, or anything that does not match the approved proof, report it within 14 days of delivery for a free reprint or a full refund.
Order shipping suits the calendar. Printing takes 5 to 7 business days after approval and payment, so give yourself a few weeks before an anniversary or a holiday gathering.
Questions
Can I order a magazine for each parent?
Yes. Magazines are $70 each and can be shipped to different addresses.
What cover options are there for albums?
A photo cover is included, with leather at +$25 and acrylic at +$39.
Is the lay-flat binding worth it?
It is worth considering for panoramic photos because pages open completely flat and images run across both sides without a gap.
Planning an album from your Madison photos? Design it online; you approve every page before it prints. See wedding album sizes and prices or the 20-page wedding magazine.