Your memories deserve more than a screen—save, back up, and print them beautifully.
So your wedding gallery is ready (yay!) and now it’s time to download and preserve your images for years to come. Because wedding galleries are big—we’re talking anywhere from 400 to 1,000+ images—I want to walk you through the best way to save, download, and protect your precious memories.
What’s Included in Your Delivery
What’s Included in Your Delivery
You’ll receive your wedding photos in two formats:
- Online Gallery Link (for viewing & web-size downloads):
- This is your main gallery to scroll through, favorite, and download “web-size” images—perfect for sharing on your phone or posting on social media. Note: although it says "original" when you download, these are already resized by me for online use.
- You’re welcome to start downloading from this gallery right away.
- Dropbox Link (for full-resolution, high-quality downloads):
- Because of the massive file sizes, I upload high-resolution images to Dropbox separately. This folder contains the best quality files for printing, archiving, and safe long-term storage.
What’s the Difference Between High-Resolution and Web-Size?
What’s the Difference Between High-Resolution and Web-Size?
- Web-Size: Optimized for phones and social media. They load faster but aren’t meant for printing.
- High-Resolution: Meant for printing and long-term preservation. These are larger in size and quality.
- Even though your online gallery lets you “download original,” remember: I’ve already resized those images for web viewing to make browsing easier. So don’t use these for printing wall art or albums—they might look blurry or pixelated, especially if re-compressed.
Why Your Online Gallery May Look Slightly “Off”
You might notice that some photos in your online gallery look a little fuzzy, softer, or have slightly different color tones compared to what you saw on your phone or in sneak peeks. That’s totally normal—and here’s why:
- Compressed for Speed:
Online galleries (like the one I use) automatically compress images so they load faster across all devices. While helpful, This compression can cause color shifts, can slightly reduce sharpness or detail.
- Resized for Web:
- I intentionally upload web-size versions to the online gallery to help your gallery load smoothly. These are not full-resolution files, so they may appear less crisp, especially when zoomed in.
- Color Variations by Screen:
- Every screen shows colors differently. Mobile phones often auto-enhance brightness or contrast, while computer monitors can dull or warm tones depending on settings. The images themselves are edited correctly—but they’ll look best when printed or viewed in high-resolution on a calibrated screen.
- Trust that the high-resolution version will be sharper, cleaner, and true to the original edit.
Your Links Expire in 30 Days
Your Links Expire in 30 Days
Your delivery links (both gallery and Dropbox) will remain active for 30 days. After that, there’s a small archival fee to re-upload the files.
- I highly recommend downloading everything as soon as possible.
Save Your Images in Three Safe Places
To truly protect your memories, follow the “3-2-1 backup rule”:
- External Hard Drive:
- Save a copy on a trusted external drive. This is your main offline backup.
- Cloud Storage:
- Use Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, Amazon photos or any secure cloud platform to store another copy in case your hard drive fails.
- Computer/Desktop Folder:
- Keep a copy on your computer for quick access, but make sure it’s not your only copy.
- Why this matters: Images can get accidentally deleted, hard drives can crash, and links expire. I do keep a backup of a few of my favorite images for portfolio and print purposes—but I don’t archive every photo long-term. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to protect and preserve your wedding images.
The Best Way to Re-Live Your Day? PRINT.
Viewing your images on a screen is great—but nothing compares to seeing them in print. I always recommend:
- Using professional labs for prints (ask me if you need one!)
- Printing on archival-quality paper that will last generations
- Creating a custom wedding album, which I’ll talk more about in an upcoming blog post
- Your photos were made to be seen, held, and shared—not buried in a folder on your laptop.
Your photos tell your love story—and that story deserves to be protected. Download them. Back them up. Print them. Frame them. Love them.
I’m always here to help if you need guidance with downloads, backups, or album design. 💛
FAQ
How long do I have access to the online gallery and Dropbox?
You have 30 days from the date of delivery to download your files. After that, there will be an archival fee to re-upload. I highly recommend downloading everything right away and backing it up in multiple places.
What happens if I need more time after the 30-day download window?
If you need more time, just reach out! I can extend if you need more time. If images are allready erased on the online platform I offer an optional archival fee, to extend access and re-upload your gallery. I’ll always do my best to help, but after 30 days, storage isn’t guaranteed without that backup.
Can I share the gallery or Dropbox link with family?
Absolutely! Your gallery is yours to share, but I do recommend asking friends and family to download from the web-size gallery rather than Dropbox, so you can keep the high-resolution files protected and organized.
Do I need special software to download the files?
Nope! Both the online gallery and Dropbox can be accessed through your browser or app. For Dropbox, just click “Download” → “Direct download” or “Save to my Dropbox.”
Will downloading all the images slow down my Wi-Fi or computer?
Yes, especially with 400–1,000 high-res wedding images, downloads can take time and bandwidth. Make sure your device is plugged in, your Wi-Fi is stable, and avoid multitasking during the download. If needed, download in smaller batches.
How long will the download take?
It depends on your internet speed and which files you’re downloading:
Online Gallery (Web-Size): Typically takes 15–30 minutes depending on the number of images (usually 400–1,000 for weddings).
- Dropbox (High-Res): May take 30 minutes to over an 2.5 hour especially for full galleries, since high-resolution files are large.
Tips to speed it up:
- Use a computer with strong Wi-Fi or a wired connection.
- Avoid downloading on mobile unless doing a few images at a time.
- Plug in your device so it doesn’t sleep mid-download.
Upload time calculator is a free online tool to calculate how much time it will take to download/upload/transfer a file based on bandwidth/Upload speed.
How much storage do I need to save my wedding photos?
Most wedding galleries range between 10–40 GB depending on how many high-resolution files are delivered. To be safe, I recommend having at least 64 GB of free space dedicated for your gallery—more if you plan to keep backups of engagement or bridal sessions too.
What kind of hard drive should I buy?
Choose an external hard drive with a good reputation for durability and speed. A few client-friendly options:
- WD My Passport (1TB or more) – Reliable and compact
- LaCie Rugged – Great for travel or on-the-go use
- Samsung T7 SSD – Fast, small, and long-lasting
Aim for 1TB or more if you're saving multiple sessions, videos, or future photo projects.
Can I use a USB drive instead?
You can, but USB drives aren’t as stable long-term and are easier to lose. If you do use one, treat it as a secondary backup—not your only copy.
Can I store my photos on my phone or iPad?
It’s okay for casual viewing, but not recommended as your main storage. Phones and tablets often compress files or auto-delete data to save space. Use them for access, not archiving.
What’s the difference between “Download All” and selecting individual images?
“Download All” will zip everything into a single folder, which can take time and storage. Choosing individual images lets you pick your favorites or smaller sections of your gallery, especially useful if you're short on space.
Why is Dropbox asking me to sign in or upgrade?
Dropbox may prompt you to sign in or upgrade if you're trying to save the entire folder to your Dropbox account.
To avoid that:
- Click “Download” → “Direct Download” instead.
- You do not need an account to download the files.
Are the images watermark-free?
Yes! All final delivered images are high-resolution and free of watermarks, ready for print or sharing.
Do I need to unzip files after downloading the gallery?
If you use “Download All,” it will come as a .zip file. Just double-click to unzip (on most computers) and the full folder of images will appear.
Will I lose quality if I screenshot or save from social media?
Yes! Screenshots and social media saves are heavily compressed. Always download directly from the gallery or Dropbox link to keep full quality for printing or archiving.
What file format are my images in?
All images are delivered in .JPG (JPEG) format, which is perfect for printing, sharing, and storing. These files are universal and easy to open on any device without special software.
What happens if the Dropbox says “too large to preview”?
That’s normal! Dropbox won’t preview folders with hundreds of files or large image sizes. Just click Download → Direct Download to save the full folder to your device.
How do I organize the files once downloaded?
Create clearly labeled folders like:
📂 Wedding Photos
└ 📁 Ceremony
└ 📁 Reception
└ 📁 Favorites
└ 📁 High-Res for Print
└ 📁 Web for Sharing
Organizing now saves you a ton of time later—especially when it comes to printing or sharing.
Should I rename or move files after downloading?
You can! Just be careful not to accidentally delete the original or compress the file. I recommend adding folders or using tags (like “Favorites,” “To Print,” etc.) to keep your images organized.
Can I reorder or create an album later?
Yes! Even if you’re not ready now, you can absolutely come back to design an album with me later, as long as you’ve downloaded and saved your images. I’ll also keep a few favorites on file just in case. If that is the case please select your top 100 images. So I make sure I have the ones you love.
What if I lose my photos after the link expires?
While I may keep a few favorite images backed up for my portfolio, it’s your responsibility to download and store your full gallery. Images are not guaranteed after the delivery window ends. It’s essential that you download and store all your images.
Why do the colors look different on my phone vs. my computer?
Every screen displays color differently depending on its brightness, display type, and settings. Phones often auto-enhance contrast, while uncalibrated monitors may dull or warm the image. The edited files are color-corrected professionally and will look their best in print.
Why don’t all the photos match exactly in lighting or color?
Great question! Lighting naturally changes throughout the day and I adapt my camera settings and approach to each moment differently. Whether we’re in direct sun, open shade, indoors, or under string lights at your reception, I intentionally edit each image to look its best for that specific lighting scenario.
Your wedding day or session includes a variety of lighting situations: golden hour, indoor prep, ceremony shade, sunset portraits, dance floor chaos, all of which affect how an image looks. So while some photos may feel warmer, cooler, brighter, or moodier than others, that’s totally normal, and reflects the natural flow of your day. The goal is to create a gallery that feels authentic, cohesive, and true to how it actually looked and felt.
What’s the best way to view my images?
For the most accurate color, sharpness, and overall experience, I recommend viewing your gallery on a calibrated desktop or laptop screen with brightness set to a natural mid-level. Phones and tablets often auto-adjust colors and contrast, which can make photos look warmer, cooler, or overly sharp.
Also, avoid using devices in direct sunlight or at full brightness, it can distort how the images actually look. For the best first look? Sit down with your partner, pour a drink, and enjoy them on a big screen together. It’s a beautiful way to relive the day.
Can I request edits after the gallery is delivered?
Minor retouching is possible,(exposure, color shift, basic edits) especially if you plan to print but any additional edits beyond your contracted package may incur a small fee. Let me know what you need, I’m happy to help where I can!
How long should I keep my photos backed up?
Forever. Seriously. Your wedding photos are legacy images—keep them stored securely for the long haul. Revisit them on anniversaries, during family milestones, and pass them down someday.
