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Leather is the traditional gift for a third wedding anniversary. It’s a nice symbol: durable, a little flexible, and better with age. A leather photo album is a natural fit, because three years in, most couples have plenty of photos stuck on their phones.
These ideas come from researching makers’ specs, materials and prices.
Editor’s pickMonogrammed album
about $169 at Mark & Graham
Our label: Genuine. Based on the source descriptions below, not hands-on inspection.
Pebble-grained Italian leather.
markandgraham.com source (new tab) · Checked
Printed "first three years" book
Sold as Genuine Leather and described as full-grain. A vegan (faux) cover is offered too.
from about $118.99 at Printique
Our label: Full-grain. Based on the source descriptions below, not hands-on inspection.
Sold as Genuine Leather and described as full-grain. A vegan (faux) cover is offered too.
Our Layflat Leather Photo Books are printed on Silver Halide Digital C (real photo paper). The cover is thick and the pages are heavy. Our Genuine Leather is real, whole hide, and never bonded.
printique.com source (new tab) · Checked
The full-grain, authentic leather of this book cover speaks for itself.
printique.com source (new tab) · Checked
Real, genuine full-grain leather options come in classic rich tones, while sustainable, vegan leather lux ranges in color from classic black and navy to bright pinks and baby blue.
printique.com source (new tab) · Checked
Classic heirloom album
The listing says pebble grain; Graphic Image defines its pebble grain as full-grain.
about $215 at Over The Moon
Our label: Full-grain. Based on the source descriptions below, not hands-on inspection.
The listing says pebble grain; Graphic Image defines its pebble grain as full-grain.
Large Bound Album Beechwood Pebble Grain Leather $225.00
graphicimage.com source (new tab) · Checked
Pebble Grain Full grain leathers with a pebble effect, offering durability with a distinctive grain.
graphicimage.com source (new tab) · Checked
Materials : Full Grain Leather Origin : USA
zola.com source (new tab) · Checked
Leather journal
Pebble-grain cowhide, no grade given.
about $65 at Nordstrom
Our label: Genuine. Based on the source descriptions below, not hands-on inspection.
Pebble-grain cowhide, no grade given.
the fine leather cover of this sleek, customizable notebook [WebFetch extract; page bot-walled to curl]
nordstrom.com source (new tab) · Checked
Leather/paper [WebFetch extract]
nordstrom.com source (new tab) · Checked
Material: Pebbled Grain American Cowhide Leather
rc.royce.us source (new tab) · Checked
This luxurious pebble grain leather journal offers a supple, tactile feel that ages beautifully over time
rc.royce.us source (new tab) · Checked
Splurge
Calf leather, no grade given.
about $395 at Smythson
Our label: Genuine. Based on the source descriptions below, not hands-on inspection.
Calf leather, no grade given.
Chalk large photo album in crossgrain calf leather Hardbound 50 leaves of gilt-edged white card Made in England Dimensions: W40.7 x H31cm / W16 x H12.25"
smythson.com source (new tab) · Checked
Specifications from maker and retailer listings. Product dimensions are not necessarily print sizes. “Not stated” means we could not confirm the detail.
| Pick | Leather grade | Practical details | Price | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark & Graham Leather Photo AlbumMonogrammed album | Genuine |
| about $169 | View at Mark & Graham |
| Printique Layflat Leather Photo BookPrinted "first three years" book | Full-grain Sold as Genuine Leather and described as full-grain. A vegan (faux) cover is offered too. |
| from about $118.99 | View at Printique |
| Graphic Image Large Bound AlbumClassic heirloom album | Full-grain The listing says pebble grain; Graphic Image defines its pebble grain as full-grain. |
| about $215 | View at Over The Moon |
| Royce New York Personalized Leather JournalLeather journal | Genuine Pebble-grain cowhide, no grade given. |
| about $65 | View at Nordstrom |
| Smythson Photo Album in PanamaSplurge | Genuine Calf leather, no grade given. |
| about $395 | View at Smythson |
Sold as Genuine Leather and described as full-grain. A vegan (faux) cover is offered too.
from about $118.99 at PrintiqueThe listing says pebble grain; Graphic Image defines its pebble grain as full-grain.
about $215 at Over The MoonPebble-grain cowhide, no grade given.
about $65 at NordstromCalf leather, no grade given.
about $395 at Smythsonabout $169 at Mark & Graham
Our label: Genuine. Based on the source descriptions below, not hands-on inspection.
Pebble-grained Italian leather.
markandgraham.com source (new tab) · Checked
A monogram turns an album into an anniversary gift, and Mark & Graham includes monogramming free. The album is listed in Italian leather at about $169. Add initials and the wedding date for a personal touch. We couldn’t confirm the photo capacity, so check the listing.
If you’d rather hand over something finished, design a custom book. Printique uses genuine whole-hide leather (“never bonded”) made in Brooklyn, from about $119, with a vegan option from about $74. Mpix’s Signature Album is full-grain Italian leather made in Missouri, from about $160. Both let you add cover text. Give yourself a couple of weeks for design and production.
A classic album in pebble grain or full-grain leather, bound in the US with Italian paper, with embossed initials available. It’s about $125 at Over The Moon and up to about $225 for the large at Zola. You’ll mount the photos yourself, which can be a fun project to do together.
For a smaller budget, the Personalized Charter Album and Charter Memo Album are listed as leather for about $90, with up to three lines of gold stamping. Miles Kimball’s Presidential Leather Album, in antiqued top-grain leather, is about $140. Note that some Miles Kimball albums, including the Charter Extra Capacity, are bonded leather, so read each listing.
A framed photo from the wedding or a favorite trip is a quick, meaningful gift.
A journal works well for couples who like writing letters to each other, or for one partner who loves to write.
A leather guest book doesn’t have to be used at a wedding. Its blank pages make a lovely anniversary memory book: write down a favorite memory from each year, tuck in ticket stubs, or ask family to add notes at a party.
Pinhole Press leather brag books are small accordion books (around 3.5x5 inches, 8 photos) that fit in a bag or pocket. The listing says “leather” but doesn’t specify genuine or faux.
Smythson’s Panama photo albums are made in England in crossgrain calf leather, from about $595 (small) to $850 (large), with embossing of up to 15 characters. The Anya Hindmarch Bespoke Marylebone Album (about $840) can be embossed with names, dates or even a drawing.
Looking for more album ideas? See our best leather photo albums.