by Linda White

Created on: May 01, 2008   Last Updated: September 25, 2011

Now that the wedding and the honeymoon are past you, it's time to tell your story in your own words and create your memories for generations to come. Even if you have never scrapped before, you can create a wonderful book. Here are some ideas to get started.

1. Do some prep work before you get started. Gather all the snapshots from your wedding. Count them so that you will have an idea of the number of page protectors that you will need. Figure on between 3-4 pictures per page. Group the pictures into categories..you might include

Proposal
Wedding planning
Wedding Showers
Rehearsal
Wedding Day Before the ceremony
Ceremony
Reception
Remember to include things in your book like your wedding invitation, a napkin, a menu, little touches can add interest to your book

2. Take Time to Learn Before you start . Look for free information on the web, before you put it altogether, Type in keywords like cropping, layouts, scrap booking, There is so much information out there. Learn the basics and you will find that you will be thrilled by the results. If the whole thing intimidates you, consider pre made pages where all you do is glue your pictures on it.

3 Make a Shopping List Some of the basic supplies that you will need include an album , page protectors, paper, adhesive, and some embellishments. You will also need some scissors and a paper cutter, and some journaling pens. If you have a friend who scraps, you could ask to borrow some tools, if you are not ready to become an avid scrapper. Remember, you can create delightful pages even on a limited budget. You cam always go back and add more to your pages..

4. Have a ball shopping. If you are lucky someone gave you some gift cards. Use them at your local craft stores. Often in the local papers you can get that wonderful Michael's 40-50% discount coupon. There are also lots of discount scrap stores on the Internet.

5. Work on your layouts- one at a time. Layouts are the two pages that you look at as you open the book, generally they are themed the same so that the book looks consistent. You would use the same colors and papers so that it appears planned. Lots of companies have pages with the layouts already done. These are wonderful for folks with limited experience or time. You will want to try to keep the same categories facing each other. So you might have engagement pictures together. Decide what pictures you will use.Less is always better and place them on the background. Think about a title for the pages.

6. Treat each photo separately. Look at the photo . Is there unnecessary background ? You can crop it which just means to cut it away. If you are uncomfortable about it, make sure to have spares around just in case. Mat in on another piece of paper and then to your page. This gives it a very professional look.

7. Add embellishments carefully. Remember that the picture is the feature of your page. Don't bury it with overdone stickers and trinkets.

8. Make sure to journal. Adding titles, quotes, printed captions, are all part of the finished product. When possible , add your own words in your own writing to truly personalize your book.

Finally, share your memories Have an unveiling party with your wedding \party and your family. Make sure to thank the parents with a little mini album. Frame a picture of your and your new spouse and the wedding party member as a special thank you. Make wedding collages in special frames to hang in your new home. Preserving your memories is a great beginning to your new life together.

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