Three dates can describe different things
An upload window controls when guests may contribute. A viewing window controls when they can browse. Storage retention describes how long the provider keeps the files under its plan. These dates are not interchangeable.
Check the selected platform's current terms and settings. Do not assume an album remains open forever because its QR code still encodes the same URL.
WedShare's actual storage periods
Starter costs $39 and includes six months of storage with 2,500 media items. Standard costs $49 with twelve months and 10,000 items. Pro costs $79 with twenty-four months and 50,000 items. The free preview has ten items and one month.
ZIP export is included in Standard and Pro. Check pricing for feature differences; do not describe Starter as including every archive feature or Pro as ten-year hosting.
Check other platforms by package
A wedding platform may include separate collection and download periods. A personal cloud album may depend on account storage and service policies rather than a wedding-specific expiry date. Keep a record of the exact plan you select.
Our comparison guide links to official sources. It does not assign one retention period to every competitor package.
Choose a guest deadline you can explain
Give guests enough time to sort their favorites, then send a clear reminder before the real deadline. Tell them whether the gallery will remain viewable afterward. A false “last chance” message damages trust.
Use the reminder templates to communicate the date. Keep the organizer's download deadline in your own calendar too.
Download and check an archive
Download originals while access is available. Open a selection of photos and videos, check that important files are present, and store another copy separately. A successful download button click is not proof that every file in an archive is intact.
Keep an organized folder name and a short note describing the source and download date. Avoid storing the only archive on the same account or device whose loss you are trying to protect against.
Keep sharing permissions clear
Before sharing the archive widely, consider guest preferences and photos of children. A storage extension does not change the audience's permissions or recall copies already downloaded.
Read the privacy guide. Your own verified backup is the durable end of the collection process; finite cloud hosting is a convenience along the way.
See how guest photo sharing works
Try the sample guest experience before choosing a plan. Your printable resources remain free to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a QR code expire when hosting ends?
The code still encodes its URL, but the destination may no longer provide uploads or viewing.
Does WedShare offer lifetime hosting?
No. Paid storage periods are six, twelve or twenty-four months by plan.
Does Starter include ZIP export?
No. ZIP archive export is included in Standard and Pro under the current plan configuration.
When should I back up the album?
Before hosting expiry, with enough time to verify the downloaded files and keep another copy.
