The parents’ album with 20, 5”x 7” photographs is usually a smaller version of the bride and groom’s album. Select the photos carefully for each individual family. If the album is to given as a gift, enter the names of the bride and the groom and the date of their wedding on the front cover. In addition to the main album and the parents’ album, extra prints could be purchased as gifts for the bridal party, close friends and family members.

Another thing to consider is the cost of the extra prints. Discuss this with your photographer before the wedding itself since prices might vary considerably. Some photographers, to get the job, offer the main album at a very reasonable price, but charge heavily on extra photos. You think well in advance how many extra prints you may need and figure this into your budget before hiring a photographer.

Proofs/previews are the preliminary prints normally 5”x 5” in size. From these prints the bride and the groom select photos for their album and for their parents’ album. Before selecting a package ask the photographer how many prints he/she will take. More prints provide you with a wider selection from which you can make your selection. To have a wider selection the photographer should take at least 2-3 times the number of prints that will enter your album.

Ask the photographer how soon the photos will be ready after the wedding. You get this in writing. The proofs should be shown to you as soon as you return from your honeymoon. Also insist the photographer to produce the proofs before the final payment is settled.

Usually negatives come in various sizes depending on the film and equipment used. The size of the negatives from the most popular camera for wedding, the medium format camera is 2.25”x 2.25” whereas a 35mm camera gives only 1”x 1.5”. A larger negative gives a higher quality photograph especially when enlarged. Don’t believe the words of the photographer who will try to convince you saying that there is no difference in quality between a 35mm camera and a medium format camera.

Most photographers will keep the negatives with them since they try to make a profit by selling extra prints after the wedding. While interviewing the photographer ask him/he how long he/she intends keeping the negatives. A professional photographer is supposed to keep the negatives minimum five years. Get this also in writing.

Engagement photograph is sent to the local newspapers together with the announcement of your engagement to the public. Usually the bride’s parents or her immediate relatives make this announcement. Traditionally the black and white photograph was of the bride alone, but now the announcement carries the photo of the couple who have been engaged.