Cull wedding photos and let the couple choose

Updated

To cull a wedding, set the album size (say 120 photos), cull everything in Pulahpilih, then share a link and PIN so the couple can pick from their browser. Pulahpilih runs rounds until the selected folder holds exactly 120 photos, and you approve the final set. The app is free, open source and runs on Windows 10 and 11.

Why wedding culling takes so long

A wedding day can produce two or three thousand frames: ceremony, reception, family formals and detail shots. The album usually holds one or two hundred. The photographer narrows it down first, then the couple wants a say.

The usual back-and-forth is slow. You upload hundreds of photos to a cloud folder, the couple replies with a list of file numbers in a chat, and you match them one by one. The list is rarely the right length, and sometimes it includes frames you already cut.

A two-stage workflow with Pulahpilih

Stage 1: the photographer culls

  1. Download Pulahpilih and open the folder from the shoot.
  2. Set a generous working target, for example 300 photos.
  3. Sort by Date taken so the day stays in order.
  4. Press → for keepers and ← for missed focus, closed eyes and duplicates. Three photos sit side by side, so bursts are easy to compare.

Pulahpilih reads RAW files such as CR3, NEF and ARW. RAW and JPG files with the same name move together, so your picks are ready for editing.

Stage 2: the couple picks

  1. When stage 1 is done, start a new session on the same folder with the album size as the target, for example 120.
  2. Click Share. After about 25 seconds a link and a 4-digit PIN appear.
  3. Send both to the couple. Each of them can open the link on their own phone.
  4. Each person culls every photo in the browser, with the same rounds, until they have exactly 120, then taps Send.
  5. In the app, open Guest results. A grid shows photos by vote count with voter names, and the most-voted ones are checked as a suggestion.
  6. Adjust the checks if needed and click Approve & apply. The selected folder now holds exactly the 120 approved photos.

Nothing moves on your PC until you approve. Guests only see copies of 800 KB at most; the originals never leave your computer. The guide to getting help picking photos covers the details.

Why an exact count matters for albums

Albums have a fixed number of spreads. If the couple picks 140 photos for a 120-photo album, you have to go back and ask which ones to drop. In Pulahpilih, narrowing rounds and add-back rounds make every guest send exactly 120. Votes from several people are combined, so shared favourites rise to the top.

Tips for culling wedding photos

  • Split by part of the day. Ceremony, reception and family folders can each have their own target.
  • Protect the family formals. Zoom in with Space to check every face in group shots.
  • Undo freely. Backspace reverses the last decision and moves the file back.
  • Take breaks. The session continues when you reopen the same folder.

Pulahpilih focuses on culling, not editing. If you already edit in Lightroom, see the Pulahpilih vs Lightroom comparison. For a general method, read how to pick the best photos.

FAQ

Does the couple need to install anything?

No. They open the link in a phone or laptop browser and enter the PIN.

Are the original photos uploaded?

No. Guests see downsized copies of 800 KB at most per photo. The original files never leave your PC.

What if two people pick different photos?

Pulahpilih combines everyone's picks and sorts photos by vote count. You can adjust the selection before approving.

Does it work with RAW files?

Yes. Pulahpilih supports CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF, RW2, PEF and SRW, as well as JPG, PNG and WebP.

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