Creating A Cherished Wedding Scrapbook Album

Creating a scrapbook wedding album is a wonderful way to immortalise your special day. It's a project that takes time and dedication, but the end result will be a keepsake that you can treasure forever.

The first step is to choose a high-quality album that will stand the test of time. Pick a running theme or colour scheme that ties everything together. You might want to use your wedding colours or include elements from your wedding that were particularly meaningful to you, such as music or lyrics from your first dance.

Next, gather your memorabilia and decide on a layout for each page. Include a mix of different-sized photos, from close-ups to group shots, and don't forget to add mementos from the day, such as pressed flowers, your order of service, or even a piece of lace from your dress or veil.

Finally, take your time to carefully assemble your scrapbook, adding decorative touches and personal messages that will make it unique to you. Ask friends and family to contribute notes and well-wishes – these will be treasured for years to come.

Choosing a scrapbook album and theme

When it comes to the theme, it is essential to have a running theme that ties everything together. The colour scheme from the wedding is an obvious choice, but you can also pick an element from the day that you loved and want to remember forever. For example, if you loved the music that played throughout the night, you could include lyrics written on the pages or elements from the speeches.

If you're struggling for inspiration, Pinterest is a great source for scrapbook page ideas and planning. It's important to plan each page, from the order they are placed to where photographs and mementos from the day will go.

Another tip is to print photos in different sizes—from whole-page spreads to tiny snapshots. This adds visual interest and allows you to include a range of images, from the planned shots to the more candid ones.

Selecting photos and memorabilia

Choose a Variety of Photos:

It's important to select a range of photos that capture the magic of your wedding day. Include a mix of planned shots, such as posed photos with your wedding party and family, as well as candid photos that capture spontaneous moments and emotions. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and include some fun and creative images, like teeny tiny photos of you rocking out on the dance floor!

Print Photos in Different Sizes:

Add interest and variety to your scrapbook by printing your photos in different sizes. Mix and match standard 4x6 prints with larger 5x7 or 8x10 prints, or even go for some whole-page spreads for those extra special moments you want to highlight. Play around with different sizes to create dynamic layouts that draw people into the story of your wedding day.

Gather Memorabilia:

Your wedding scrapbook isn't just about photos – it's also a place to preserve mementos and memorabilia from your special day. Here are some ideas of items you can include:

• Invitations, save the date cards, and programs
• Pressed flowers from your bouquet or table arrangements
• Readings, speeches, and vows
• Lace or fabric from your dress, veil, or other wedding attire
• Table numbers, place cards, menus, and other stationery
• Photo booth props and guest book messages
• Ribbons, bows, and other decorative elements from your wedding decor
• Honeymoon mementos, such as maps, photos, and postcards

Curate and Organise:

Before you start sticking things down, take the time to curate and organise your photos and memorabilia. Lay them out on a table or floor and group them into categories or sections, such as "getting ready," "ceremony," "reception," etc. This will help you visualise the flow of your scrapbook and ensure you have a balanced representation of the entire day.

Tell Your Story:

Your wedding scrapbook is a way to tell the story of your wedding day, so choose photos and memorabilia that capture the key moments, people, and details. Think about the story you want to convey and select items that support that narrative. Leave space in your scrapbook to add handwritten captions or journal entries that provide context and share your thoughts and feelings about the day.

Involve Friends and Family:

Don't be afraid to ask for help and input from your friends and family. They might have photos or mementos that you don't, and they can also provide unique perspectives and contributions, such as a special note or message about the day. Including these personal touches will make your scrapbook even more meaningful and cherished.

Gathering supplies

• Specialty papers in various colours (silver, gray, yellow, white, and black)
• White cardstock (12" x 12")
• Pearl black cardstock (8.5" x 11")
• Vellum sheets (8.5" x 11")
• Metallic papers in silver, gold, and cream (8.5" x 11")
• Paper trimmer
• Corner and edge punches
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Paper string
• Foam letters
• Adhesives (tape, glue, spray adhesive)
• Scrapbook album with transparent pages and a photo frame on the cover

Additionally, you may want to invest in a paper cutter and some punches. If you wish to include embellishments, you can either purchase them or create your own using a digital craft-cutter like a Silhouette or Cricut machine.

Shutterfly also suggests gathering the following items:

• Wedding quotes
• Centrepiece materials (pressed flowers, ribbons, menus, place cards)
• Photo booth props
• Professional photo book
• Shadow box frame
• Dried flowers from your bouquet
• Ribbons
• Engagement photos and decor
• Bridal shower photos, invitations, and cards
• Guest book messages and photos
• Wedding schedule
• Watercolour paper and glitz
• Honeymoon maps, photos, and postcards
• Wedding cards
• Love notes and letters
• Wedding program
• Envelopes
• Handmade details (place cards, signs, centrepiece decor)

Planning the layout

Choose a Colour Scheme

Decide on a colour scheme that ties in with your wedding theme. This could be your wedding colours or a colour scheme inspired by an element of your wedding that you loved, such as the music that played throughout the night. Using a consistent colour scheme throughout your scrapbook will help to create a cohesive look.

Decide on a Design Focus

Determine a design focus that reflects your style and personality. If you prefer a more minimalist and elegant look, keep the layout and embellishments simple, allowing the story of your wedding day to take centre stage. Alternatively, if you prefer a more eclectic and busy style, feel free to experiment with different designs and embellishments.

Gather and Select Your Materials

Collect all the materials you want to include in your scrapbook, such as photos, invitations, save-the-date cards, pressed flowers, readings, speeches, and any other memorabilia from your wedding day. Select a variety of photo sizes, from standard 4x6 prints to larger 8x10 prints, to add interest and variety to your pages.

Plan the Order of Pages

Decide on the order of the pages in your scrapbook. You can group photos and memorabilia by theme, such as pre-ceremony, ceremony, reception, or by time of day. Planning the order of pages will help you visualise the flow of your scrapbook and ensure that you cover all the important moments of your wedding day.

Create Stacks of Materials

Once you have determined the order of pages, create stacks of photos and memorabilia for each page. This will help you stay organised and ensure that you have all the materials you need for each page before you start assembling your scrapbook.

Experiment with Layouts

Before you start gluing or taping your materials to the pages, experiment with different layouts. Try placing the photos and memorabilia in different arrangements on the page to see what looks best. You can also sketch out potential layouts on paper before committing to the final design.

Leave Space for Journaling

Don't forget to leave space for journaling and captions on your pages. You can use calligraphy pens or letter stamps to add titles, quotes, or descriptions to your pages, providing context and adding a personal touch to your scrapbook.

Putting it all together

Now that you've gathered your supplies, it's time to start putting your scrapbook together. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and meaningful wedding scrapbook:

Plan your pages

Before you start gluing and sticking, it's important to plan out your pages. Decide on the order of your photos and memorabilia, and plan where everything will go on each page. This will help you create a cohesive and well-organised scrapbook. You can also use Pinterest for inspiration when planning your pages.

Choose a colour scheme

One way to tie your scrapbook together is to choose a colour scheme. You can use your wedding colours or pick a colour that you love and want to remember from your big day. This will help to unify the pages and give your scrapbook a cohesive look.

Add variety to your photos

Print your photos in different sizes to add interest to your scrapbook. Include a mix of candid shots, planned poses, and details from your wedding day. Don't be afraid to play around with the placement of your photos on the pages.

Incorporate memorabilia

In addition to photos, include other memorabilia from your wedding day such as pressed flowers from your bouquet, lace from your dress or veil, your invitation and save-the-date card, and readings and speeches. These items will add a personal touch to your scrapbook and help you preserve those special memories.

Get creative with your layout

Feel free to get creative with your scrapbook layout. You can use a variety of papers, ribbons, and embellishments to create a unique and beautiful design. Add layers of colour and texture to your pages, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. For example, you can create a special pocket or envelope to hold small items, or use a paper gift bag to mount notes and papers.

Involve your friends and family

Consider including comments from your guest book or asking your parents and friends to contribute a note or message for your scrapbook. It will be a wonderful way to involve your loved ones in your project and create a keepsake that you can treasure forever.

Take your time

Finally, remember that creating a wedding scrapbook takes time. Don't rush the process, and enjoy the journey of putting your special memories together. It's a labour of love that will be cherished for years to come.

Frequently asked questions