Last Monday Jay and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. Makes us sound old. But it’s actually because we got married when we were mere babes–or at least looked like babies!
Taken right after the ceremony.
Despite the fun of celebrating another year together, I always feel a bit sad when our anniversary comes around. Not because I regret being married to Jay–not at all!–but basically because I really regret my choice in a wedding photographer and my ignorance as to what I wanted. I won’t rehash all the details here in the this post…I already whined about it another…but I do want to touch on something else that’s related and dear to my heart.
Great wedding photos help you remember the day: the incredible moments, those fleeting feelings–anticipation, excitement, joy. They also contain the family story that you can pass down to future generations–often the only time your family is all together in one place! As each year goes by, your photos increase in value as your own memory fades of the event and becomes that of the photos. Great wedding photos are a precious heirloom–so why leave them on a breakable, soon-to-be outmoded piece of technology–ie, a disc?
You see, I still don’t have a wedding album. In fact, I only have three photos printed from our wedding. That is going to change SOON. Like very soon. As in I’m finally making an album for us. For real this time.
While you might think I don’t have an album because I’m not thrilled with our photos…and that may play a part–the main reason I don’t have an album yet is because I only got the disc with my photography package. Yes, the disc of photos–what everyone seems to want but few know what to do with.
I understand why it’s a popular request. We want a copy of our photos to keep forever, and since they’re in a digital format, we want a disc. The trouble is, digital photos must have a compatible medium to view them on. I doubt our grandkids or even kids are going to be using the same technology as us. Disc, portable hard-drives, ipads, etc.–they’re all going to become outmoded, some sooner than others. Who even has a computer these days that can read a floppy disc?? (Who even remembers using one??) What if the only copy of your photos was on something like that? Actually, they are if they’re just sitting on a disc.
I’m right there with you. That’s why I’m finally making an album. The sad truth, however, is that some of the files have become corrupted and parts of the disc are unreadable. Fortunately I don’t seem to be missing too many more photos than I already knew were lost (see my old post). But if I waited a few more years, I’m not sure what condition the disc would be in.
So, from my personal experience, I highly recommend getting a wedding album with your wedding photos. It doesn’t have to be the biggest thing ever–just get something! Do it for your kids. I am…seriously. That’s why I’m finally making an album–I want Harriet to have something she can hold and look at to see the story of Mommy and Daddy’s wedding day.
I really regret that I used to offer packages without albums or prints. I know there are couples I’ve photographed who didn’t get an album. If you’re one of those couples and you’re still album-less, let me know. Let’s get you an album. I can’t wait to order mine!
by mary
Nancy Schwarz - I remember that August day well. It was wonderfu,l but boy was it HOT!I can’t wait to see your album.
Heather - So I went back to your “whiny” post – which wasn’t whiny at all – but somehow I had missed seeing it the first time you posted (probably because I was moving from Peru) – so here I am – three years later, crying at my computer remembering y’all and all those people celebrating your wedding together. And there was John! I had forgotten he married you – I thought Wade had! I am so glad – I need to make a list of all the couples John married. It’s so neat to have been a part of y’alls life as you became a family. We love you! Ok – back to the present. 😉
Emilie - I was hoping there’d be a picture of my album on here…anxiously waiting for it to arrive in the mail.