Where Can I Get Nice Yet Affordable Wedding Memory Books Made?

Question

My wedding photographer is offering a pretty penny to create a memory book for me but I feel I've spent so much in photography as it is. Is there someplace where I can get one made for a reasonable price?

P.S.
I love the story book wedding books and zookbinders, but I know they're expensive. Any amount of help would be appreciated.

KC, the pretty penny I'm referring to is the memory book itself, not the photography. My photographer did a fantastic job and in addition I am purchasing several prints from them. And I would expect them to work their behinds off without feeling pressure because it's their passion. After all, are they not getting paid to do what they love? I don't know how you feel about your profession, but if you feel pressure from your clients and have this sort of attitude, perhaps you should find another job.

Answer 1

I am assuming you have full resolution digital files and the release to use them.

There are several services where you can design your own book. I have experience with blurb.com and bephotobooks.com. The quality is actually pretty good, especially for a product that costs under $100. I'm not sure how they would hold up under very heavy usage, but I have a bephotobook in my lab that literally hundreds of people have looked through, and so far so good. (It is about my grandchildren so I am eager to show it off, of course!) You just go to the website, download the book software, work on your book on your computer. When you're finished, upload the book back to them. In a few days, viola! Book! If you can scrapbook, you probably design it using their pre-made templates. Shutterfly, snapfish, and mpix also have books, I believe.

HOWEVER, there is a difference in quality. Although your self-produced consumer book may look all right, one from Storybooks, Zookbinders, or Asukabooks will be stunning! Also, your photographer has experience in design and the ability to choose images and layout that will tell your wedding story, and the nicer book will showcase your special day at its best.

Best of luck, with your book and in the future.

Answer 2

Your photographer is charging a pretty penny for a reason. Photographing a wedding is very stressful and the photographer is pressured to get EVERY moment.

That pretty penny your photographer is charging is nothing compared to the amount of stress and time they put toward the event.

It's your wedding, be excited to have someone who charges a pretty penny to photograph it. You know they are working their @$$ off for you.

Answer 3

I assume you have the images digitally.

I think that snapfish.com has the option to make a bound book. Just walk through the steps and insert the photos. You get a bound hard cover book in the end.