Marriage is one of the most pivotal and life-changing events any of us will experience. So it makes sense that wedding scrapbooking has become one of the hottest trends in cropping. A wedding scrapbook is often assembled by someone close to the bride and then given to the couple as a gift, although many newlyweds are choosing to create their own as well.

Don’t Throw Out the Napkins!

The purpose of a wedding scrapbook is to tell the story of the happy couple that culminates in the wedding day. In order to do this justice, you really want to plan ahead and start collecting anything related to the nuptials (showers, rehearsal dinner, bachelor/ette parties, if appropriate). Items such as party favors, invitations, newspaper announcements, pictures of the couple pre-wedding, and some pictures of the honeymoon destination may all be used.

Most likely, the tone of a wedding scrapbook will be classic and elegant. Although you can take into account the couple’s preferences. If, for instance, they are staging a wedding hoe-down, or beachside wedding, then that would dictate your theme. Even then, remember that what you are creating will be a lasting keepsake for the couple, and very likely an historic artifact to be handed down to their children. For this reason, it is always better to err on the side of tradition rather than trend. Cute themes tend to go out of style and look dated, while traditional ones remain.

Plan for Spontaneity

You will want to include some posed pictures, along with some more casual and unguarded moments in the wedding. So whether you are the photographer, or you are working with the professional hired for the big day, be on the look out for these potential photo ops.

Some of the classic moments will be: preparing the bride, the walk down the aisle (with Dad and groom), the first kiss, the dance, group shots of bridesmaids and groomsmen, and endless other opportunities. You will want to catch the happy couple as they interact with their guests, and gingerly- or not- feed each other that first bite of wedding cake. Remember, you will be a true shutterbug in the months leading up to, and the day of the wedding.

The Layout

Once you have collected all your materials, and have all the pictures from the wedding, the fun begins. You will have already chosen a theme that fits the tone of the event. Perhaps you will have decided to go with the actual colors of the wedding, or maybe you based it on the quote imprinted on their invitations. Now you need to lie out everything chronologically, and see what makes sense.

If you are creating this album as a gift for the bride, keep in mind that it should be completely focused on the couple, and refrain from putting your personality and comments on it. When the newly married couple looks through the wedding scrapbook, you want them to reminisce over the good time they had, not think, “Oh I didn’t know your Mom got tipsy on the wine!”

Journaling is usually used to narrate the event, “Jenny looked radiant as her father walked her down the aisle,” rather than for personal commentary, “I was so glad to see you went with the rose bouquet.” This is not about the creator of the scrapbook, it’s about the bride and groom.

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Using quotes in elegant font, or pre-made stickers like “A kiss to build a dream on” or “A picture perfect day” can help tie the photo and moment together. You may also want to consider combining group and individual shots on each page. Say the groom and his groomsmen on top, and individual pictures of the handsome guy with each of his friends down below. Group photos of both the bride and groom’s families are a nice touch as well. They really speak to the history of this epic event, and can be played up by using vintage looking cardstock, or family tree themes.

So plan ahead, assemble your materials, and create a classic keepsake that chronicles this romantic occasion. Wedding scrapbooking is an investment in preserving the history of this special couple as they prepare to focus on their future.