Let’s face it, wedding photo albums haven’t changed much over the years. While there is certainly a better selection today than in years past, I would argue that much of what’s available in the way of today’s wedding albums isn’t of the best quality.
But now that’s all changed...
Zookbinders recently sent me a sample of their Bon a’ Vie album, and I have to say, it is incredibly impressive. This isn’t some quick-print album you can get off any website - it’s a handcrafted, high-quality photo album from its design all the way down to the box in which it arrives.
Upon opening the packaging, I was immediately struck by how custom everything looks and feels. It’s like when you buy your first custom tailored suit or sit in a luxury vehicle for the first time - the craftsmanship is totally next level and makes you realize in quick order just how special the product really is.
The Bon a’ Vie I reviewed came in a custom-fit box that hugs the album in a felt lining to prevent any damage. Even the top of the custom box is color-matched to your album. Before I even opened the album itself, it was evident that this product was different than so many others I see on a daily basis! The attention to detail in the packaging, the quality of the cover, and the superb materials used to craft the album is second to none.
Lifting the album out of the box, I was struck by its weight - an indication of the quality product between the covers. Speaking of the covers, the album opens like French doors (something I’ve never seen before) to reveal high-quality images for a truly impressive visual experience.
The album’s pages are printed on gloss-coated Kodak Endura paper which gives the images astonishing visual impact. The images take various forms, from arrays of smaller photos filling the fanned out pages to full-page images that extend from one side of the album to the other. And because the quality of the stock is so good, the pages lay flat for optimal viewing.
The album comes in three sizes - 8x8, 10x10, and 12x12. You can customize the album in many other ways as well. Select a photo to be featured on the album covers, or opt to wrap the entire album with material. With eight different cover designs, various texture and layout options, and 24 color choices from which to choose, you can create an album that is truly unique.
I see a lot of photography products over the course of the year. There are many amazing innovations and many others that fall flat. Believe me when I say that the Bon a’ Vie is certainly a member of the former group. It’s innovative, well made, and has reinvented what a wedding photo album can and should be.
In short, the Bon a’ Vie is something that you can be proud to display in your home. It is a truly special product that provides you with a one-of-a-kind storytelling experience. Even though I’ve been married for a few years, I plan on ordering one myself - I’m that impressed with the Bon a’ Vie!