Image by Taylor Denton. Flowers by Flowers by Almanac.

When the wedding day has come and gone, the festivities don’t have to end. You still have exciting things to look forward to: the honeymoon and receiving your wedding photos from your photographer—one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the post-wedding process. While this is an exciting moment, many couples wonder what to do with their wedding photos after the big day.

If you’re in this situation, here are a few creative ideas to help you cherish and share the beautiful memories from your wedding day for years to come.

1. Download and Backup your Gallery 

With the overwhelming excitement of receiving your wedding gallery, you’ll be eager to share your photos with everyone right away. However, there’s one crucial task you need to complete first: backing up your photos. Many couples forget this step and leave their photos in their online gallery. To ensure the safety of your images for years to come, take the time to download them. This will protect your precious memories from potential data loss.

2. Share them on Social Media 

The wedding day has come and gone. While you’ve inevitably shared some candid iPhone photos taken by guests, it’s officially time to receive that curated gallery from your hired photographer. After scrolling through the gallery with your partner, amidst all the excitement, it’s time to share them on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. This is a great way to share your joy with friends and family who couldn’t attend the event.

3. Make Thank You Cards 

Now that the celebration is over, it’s time to think about sending out thank you cards. You’ll likely draft up a design online, and when you do, consider incorporating your wedding photos into your cards. Personalized cards featuring a beautiful picture from your wedding will add a special touch to your gratitude.

While thanking your loved ones for their presence (and presents) should be simple, we understand how overwhelming it can feel. If you need help crafting the perfect sweet and sentimental message for your guests, check out our guide for what to write in wedding thank you cards. 

4. Share the Gallery With Loved Ones (if you want) 

When you share your professional wedding photos on social media, your loved ones are bound to get excited. They’ll likely want to see and download some of those special photos, too. When it comes to sharing your wedding photographs, you have a few options. While you can send the full gallery to loved ones, you don’t have to. There are so many special moments that make up a wedding day—some being incredibly personal. 

So, if you don’t want to mass-send out the official gallery, that’s okay. Instead, you can create a custom link with just the photos you feel comfortable sharing. Set up a digital gallery of your own for friends and family so they can view and download their favorite images.

5. Create Your Wedding Album 

Your wedding goes by in the blink of an eye, and you’ll want to relive those moments over and over. Luckily, you can do just that by flipping through a stunning album filled with your beautiful wedding photos. Wedding albums are one of the greatest keepsakes from your big day. So, after receiving your photos from your photographer, design a gorgeous wedding album to showcase your favorite photos. This timeless keepsake will let you revisit your special day whenever you like and makes for a beautiful coffee table book.

6. Order Physical Prints

While digital copies are convenient to share, there’s nothing quite like having physical copies of your cherished memories. Choose some of your favorite photos from your gallery and have them printed. These prints are perfect for framing around your home, providing a sweet reminder of the day you said ‘I do’ while adding a personal touch to your living space.

7. Get Creative With Your Photos 

The fun doesn’t need to stop after sharing your photos online and creating an album. Now that all the must-dos are out of the way, it’s time to get creative with your wedding photos. Incorporate them into home décor with unique items like custom-made pillows, mugs, and calendars. 

Your wedding photos serve as cherished keepsakes you’ll look back on for years to come. That’s why choosing the right photographer is so important. You need someone who makes you comfortable in front of the camera and whom you can trust to capture those sweet, once-in-a-lifetime moments.

With seemingly endless options, it can be tough to find professionals whose style you love and who fit within your budget. To help you get started, check out our vendor directory packed with the best photographers from around the world, making it easier for you to find the perfect match.

Image by Briana Morrison. Flowers by Flowers by Almanac.