Creating A Wedding Memory Book: Cherishing The Special Day

A wedding memory book is a great way to commemorate the special moments captured in photographs and mementos from the wedding. It's a fun and easy DIY project that will help you relive your wedding day and share it with family and friends. You can create a handmade scrapbook or design the book online.

To get started, you'll need to sort through your photos and pick out your favourites, as well as those that tell the story of your wedding. Then, you can either purchase a scrapbook and put it together yourself or use a website to create and order a printed copy.

If you choose to make a physical scrapbook, you'll need supplies like cardstock, adhesive, and embellishments. You can also include memorabilia such as text from speeches, the wedding program, invitations, or the food menu. On the other hand, creating the book online involves uploading your photos to a website, selecting a design theme, and customising each page to your liking.

Whether you decide to go the DIY route or opt for a more convenient online option, a wedding memory book is a perfect way to capture and cherish your special day.

Choosing a book

If you enjoy crafting and want to make your book from scratch, you could opt for purchasing a simple 3-ring binder or photo album that is large enough to hold all your cards, photos, and mementos. You could also add your own creative touches to a pre-made album, such as those available from craft stores or online. When choosing a binder or album, consider selecting one that matches your wedding colours for added flair.

For those who want a more creative option but don't want to start from scratch, you can purchase a scrapbook in your desired style. Scrapbooks come in various sizes and designs, so you can choose one that aligns with your wedding theme and has elements you like, such as a leather cover or beaded embellishments.

If crafting isn't for you, there are plenty of online options to create a personalised wedding memory book. Websites like Shutterfly, Snapfish, or Mixbook offer tools to design your book, allowing you to select themes, layouts, and embellishments. You can then order prints of your book to be delivered to your doorstep.

No matter which option you choose, selecting the right book will ensure you can capture and cherish your wedding memories for years to come.

Sorting photos

Sorting through your photos is an important step in creating your wedding memory book. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

Start by picking out 20-30 of your favourite photos. These are the photos that stand out to you and that you love. They can be of people, the wedding cake, a candid moment, or anything else that is special to you. If there are photos that you like but are unsure about, include them in this initial pile as well – you can always remove them later.

Next, select pictures for different categories. Categories might include getting ready, the ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception. You can also include pictures from before the wedding, such as the engagement party or dress shopping. Try to have a similar number of pictures for each category to keep things balanced. You can also create sub-categories, such as cutting the cake, dancing, speeches, and the honeymoon.

Make sure to include all the key people, moments, and details. Your wedding memory book should tell the story of your wedding, so include pictures of the newlyweds, bridal party, groomsmen, and special guests. Don't forget other important details like the wedding cake, the rings, the flowers, the venue, and the décor.

Finally, vary the size of the photographs to create an aesthetically pleasing look. Select or print photos in different sizes so you can place several pictures on one page and dedicate a full page to a single, larger picture. For example, you could have an 8x10 inch photo of the exchange of vows on one page and a few 3x5 inch pictures of the ceremony on the facing page.

Prepping cards

Prepping the cards is an important step in creating your wedding memory book. This is how you do it:

Lining up the cards: Start by lining up your wedding cards with the binding rings in your book. Make a light mark with a pencil to indicate where the holes will need to be punched. This ensures that your cards will be aligned with the binder when they are added to the book.

Punching holes: Grab a quality craft hole punch and punch holes in your cards where you made the light marks. This will allow you to secure the cards in the binder.

Including smaller cards: If you have cards that are too small or oddly shaped to fit into the book, you can create a "pocket" page by adding an envelope with holes punched into the sides. Simply slip the small cards inside the envelope before placing it in your book. Alternatively, you can use an adhesive to attach smaller cards to a standard-sized piece of paper, then punch holes in the paper to add it to your book.

Organising the cards: Once all your cards have holes punched in them, it's time to clip them into your book. Consider placing the cards in alphabetical order by the giver's name. This will make it easier to find a specific card or memory in the future.

With these steps, you'll be able to include all your wedding cards in your memory book, ensuring that every special message and memory is preserved.

Adding mementos

For physical mementos, you could include the text of speeches, the program from the ceremony, wedding invitations, or the food menu. You could also add extra fabric from your wedding dress alterations, leftover flower petals from decorations, extra ribbon from your cake, or love notes exchanged with your new spouse.

If you are creating a digital memory book, scan these items and upload them. You can also add captions to explain the significance of the mementos and the memories they evoke.

Final touches

Once you've gathered your photos, mementos, and other decorations, it's time to put the final touches on your wedding memory book. Here are some ideas to make it truly special:

• Add a personal message: Write a meaningful message, quote, or even your wedding vows on the first page of your memory book. You can also include a message to each other or a favourite poem or lyric.
• Date your memory book: Include the date of your wedding, along with the venue and location. You could also add the dates of your engagement and any other significant milestones in your relationship.
• Embellishments: Use ribbons, stickers, or other decorative items to add a touch of elegance or fun to your memory book. You can also use these to separate different sections of your book, such as the ceremony, reception, and honeymoon.
• Pocket pages: Include "pocket" pages or envelopes to hold small mementos, such as dried flower petals, confetti, or even a copy of your wedding invitation.
• Personalise the cover: Decorate the cover of your memory book with a romantic photo, a collage of pictures, or a meaningful quote. You can also add your names and wedding date to the cover.
• Add a soundtrack: If you're creating a digital memory book, you can add a romantic or fun soundtrack to play while you flip through the pages.
• Use accent colours: Choose a few accent colours that match your wedding theme and use them throughout your memory book. This could be in the form of paper, ribbons, or even the colour of your font.
• Include a table of contents: Make it easy to navigate your memory book by creating a table of contents or adding tabs to separate different sections. This is especially useful if your book is quite thick.
• Share your book: Finally, share your beautiful creation with your loved ones! You can either order physical copies or share a digital version through email or social media.

Your wedding memory book is a wonderful way to preserve the memories of your special day. Enjoy adding these final touches, and don't be afraid to let your creativity flow!

Frequently asked questions