You've decided to collect photos from your wedding guests. Now you need to pick a method. The three most common options are Dropbox File Requests, Google Drive shared folders, and dedicated upload links. Here's how they compare.

Dropbox File Requests

How it works: Create a file request in your Dropbox account. You get a link. Guests upload files through it — they don't need a Dropbox account.

Pros: - Files go directly to your Dropbox - Guests don't need an account - Clean upload interface

Cons: - Free plan only has 2 GB — that's roughly 400 phone photos - You need a Dropbox account - No QR code generation built in - No expiration date on free plan

Best for: Couples who already pay for Dropbox Plus or higher.

Google Drive shared folder

How it works: Create a folder in Google Drive, set sharing permissions to "anyone with the link can edit," and share the link.

Pros: - 15 GB free storage - Familiar interface for many people - Files stored permanently in your Drive

Cons: - Guests need a Google account to upload - Confusing permissions (some guests might be able to delete others' files) - Mobile upload experience is clunky - Not designed for this purpose — it's a workaround

Best for: Groups where everyone already uses Google Workspace.

How it works: Create an upload page in 10 seconds. Get a link. Share it. Guests upload without any account. Download everything as ZIP.

Pros: - Zero friction for guests — no account needed anywhere - Clean drag-and-drop interface designed for uploads - Works perfectly on mobile - Dashboard shows upload stats - Download all as ZIP

Cons: - Temporary storage (up to 10 days + 3-day grace period) - Need to download files before they expire

Best for: Couples who want the simplest possible experience for their guests.

The verdict

If your primary goal is minimizing friction for guests (it should be — fewer barriers = more photos), a dedicated upload link wins. The key metric isn't "where do the files live permanently" — it's "how many guests will actually bother to upload." And that number is directly proportional to how easy you make it.

Use a dedicated upload link to collect the photos. Then move them to whatever permanent storage you prefer — Google Drive, Dropbox, an external hard drive, wherever.