Many couples carefully plan everything but their wedding album, and yet it will be the most significant testament to their wedding day. Here are some ideas on getting started:

Style. Formal, casual, romantic, classic, high tech or down-home. Your album should match your wedding look.

Budget. Two things will affect the price of your book; the type of materials used to make it and the final number of pages. You can spend from $45 to over $700 on the album, not including images. Your price should reflect your general interest in photography.

Number of images. Smaller pictures can increase the quantity, but mix it up. Include enlargements of all sizes. Make sure images cover all family and special friends.

What’s new? In addition to traditional leather and patterned vinyl albums, artisans now design unique creations that are like scrapbooks. Pages have room for notes, pressed flowers, velum envelopes of rice, and personal extras. Be sure that all the materials used are archival quality.

Parent albums. They have pictures too, and when neatly stored in an album, they are easier to transport and show. A compact album for smaller images with a cover that is a copy of your album is perfect.

Additional photos. What about photos from showers, the honeymoon and other events? If there are lots, choose an album with pockets that you can slip them in and jot a note by them. If you have memorabilia like maps, ticket stubs, and brochures, pick a book with blank, acid-free pages and have fun. Write your recollections and have parents, relatives and attendants sign it.

Storage. Keep it where the temperature and humidity are moderate, wrapped in acid free paper and boxed. This is part of your family story and it needs to last a long time—treat it like the treasure that it is.