The Basics
Let's protect your wedding films!
Start with the original copy of your films, whether it’s what we deliver on your Wedding Keepsake, USB, or via Digital Download. Then add a few extra layers of protection:
Primary storage: Begin with the copy we deliver, whether that’s your Wedding Keepsake or Digital Download. If your package included Digital Delivery, save it immediately onto a high-quality physical device. If your package included a Wedding Keepsake, you’ve already completed this step.
Choosing trusted, brand-name storage is essential. The peace of mind is worth far more than the small savings of using generic drives.
Secondary storage: Add a second copy to another location, such as your computer, an external hard drive, an SSD, or an additional trusted USB drive. This step ensures your memories are safe even if your primary storage device fails.
Tertiary storage: Store a third copy somewhere off-site, ideally at a separate address. This could be with a trusted family member or friend. For many couples, secure cloud storage is the perfect choice for this extra layer of protection.
We recommend Dropbox and Proton Drive for cloud storage. Both combine reliability, ease of use, and strong reputations that help ensure your memories remain safe.
We advise against using Google Drive, which sometimes compresses or downscales media, potentially harming quality.
Every storage medium can and will age over time. Regular check-ins will help you catch and resolve potential issues long before your films are at risk.
To help you plan, here’s an overview of common storage options and their typical lifespans:
Professional-grade USB drive: about 10–15 years
External HDD: about 5–10 years, depending on usage and drive type
External SSD: about 10–15 years
Writable DVDs or Blu-rays: about 5–10 years, with archival-grade discs often lasting longer
Cloud storage: depends on the provider, ideally indefinite, though we still recommend keeping local copies
We understand that data management is rarely the most captivating part of your wedding story, but it is one of the most important investments you can make in your memories. These simple, deliberate steps today will help protect your films so they remain preserved, to be treasured now and for generations to come.
