Editing a Full Wedding Gallery: My Workflow in Lightroom
Editing a full wedding gallery is not easy. When you’re handed 1,000 to 2,000 raw photos, the sheer volume can feel overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve developed a workflow that helps me stay organized, efficient, and consistent, while still bringing out the best in every image. In this blog, I’ll share my process so other photographers or aspiring editors can see how I tackle full wedding galleries.
Step 1: Backup and Organization
Before opening a single photo, the first step is always backup. I make at least two copies of the raw files on separate drives to ensure nothing is lost.
Once backed up, I organize photos into folders by:
Ceremony, preps, portraits, reception, and details
Chronological order whenever possible
Separate “favorites” folder for standout images I want to highlight
Organization is key. It allows me to quickly navigate between sections and prevents getting lost in a huge gallery.
Step 2: Culling the Gallery
Culling is one of the most time-consuming but essential steps. My approach in Lightroom:
Use the Flag system (P for pick, X for reject) to mark photos
Cull duplicates, blurred shots, or awkward expressions
Keep multiple shots of key moments for choice during editing
Speed up by using Lightroom’s survey view to compare similar photos side by side
For a 1,500-photo gallery, culling can reduce it to around 600–800 images ready for color correction.
Step 3: Applying Base Presets
Once the gallery is culled, I start with Lightroom presets to establish a consistent look:
Adjust overall exposure, contrast, and white balance
Apply signature color grading or film-style tones
Make batch adjustments on similar shots (like all outdoor ceremony photos)
Use sync settings carefully to avoid over-editing some photos
The goal is consistency so the entire gallery feels cohesive.
Step 4: Individual Adjustments
Even after batch editing, each image may need fine-tuning:
Highlight or recover shadows for details in dresses or suits
Correct skin tones, blemishes, or minor distractions
Adjust crop or straighten horizons for composition
Use local adjustments (radial filters, brushes) for creative emphasis
I always aim to enhance without making the edits look artificial.
Step 5: Retouching Key Shots
For portraits, first dances, or major moments:
Apply gentle skin smoothing
Remove distracting elements in the background
Enhance eyes and facial expressions subtly
These images often appear in albums or prints, so they get extra care.
Step 6: Export and Delivery
Finally, I export the gallery according to client needs:
Full-resolution files for albums or prints
Web-optimized files for online delivery
Organized folders labeled by section or event
Before sending, I do a quick pass-through to ensure no errors slipped through.
Tips for Editing Large Wedding Galleries
Take breaks to avoid eye fatigue
Stay consistent with color grading across sections
Use Lightroom keyboard shortcuts to speed up workflow
Trust your initial culls; don’t overthink every image
Backup frequently during editing
Editing a full wedding gallery is a marathon, not a sprint. With a structured workflow, patience, and the right tools like Lightroom, you can deliver a polished, consistent, and beautiful gallery that tells the couple’s story from start to finish.