Memory Makers Wedding Idea Book: Scrapbooking Ideas, Tips and Techniques

I did find some good page layouts in this book and was overall pleased with the book. I am still looking for a book that would take a wedding from start to finish with layouts. The wedding party coming down the aisle; communion of the couple; vocalists; parents of the couple being escorted in; etc. Some of the ideas can be altered - so it was a good book to have on hand for a scrapbooker.

OLD SCHOOL

I'm trying to make the best scrapbook I can for a wedding I recently attended. This was the only book I was able to find on the subject of wedding scrapbooks, and I'm sure there aren't that many more out there. And the book did help me begin my project, but I wouldn't say it's as helpful to me as other books about scrapbooks, particularly 365 Days of Scrapbooking Ideas (Better Homes & Gardens Crafts) and 601 Great Scrapbook Ideas.What was most helpful for me in this book was the information in the first few pages. I began my project with very little direction, and the guidelines in here helped me think about the colors and themes of the scrapbook, so that the pages stay at least somewhat consistent. I also didn't know what topics my pages to cover, and how many pages I should devote to a certain aspect of the wedding, until I got inspiration from the layouts in here. For some people these issues are no-brainers, but since I've never made a full length book before, I totally needed that information.As far as inspiration for layouts and everything goes, the book is not good enough. The other reviewers are correct in criticizing the book for being a bit outdated. Though no fault of the book itself, this was published before photo enhancing software and unique printing methods were the norm. If a book you make today looks like one of the books in here, it might please your audience depending on their tastes, but it will look like something made in the 90s--when this book was published. There are so many other ways to creatively display wedding photos, notes, etc in the new millennium, and I don't think this book will provide you with enough to get you through a project. What can I say? Times have changed. On the up side, those of you making a heritage wedding album can probably use this, because a book about scrapbooks from a long time ago should be appropriate for a wedding that happened an even longer time ago.The publishers did make an effort to include many types of weddings, which I appreciated because I went to a multi-ethnic, non-white-dress kind of wedding, but even those layouts were pretty uninspiring.Even though I initially thought I needed to see already made "wedding" scrapbook pages to get some ideas for my wedding scrapbook, I realized I can get inspiration from all kinds of layouts that have nothing to do with weddings. Again, that might have been obvious to others, but I'm a novice at this.

If you, like me, still haven't placed your wedding photos in a nice scrapbook after 20 years, this book will give you reason to be glad you procrastinated. The editors of Memory Makers have gathered elegant layouts to inspire you to create your own wedding scrapbook. Planning both your album AND your wedding to best advantage for later scrapbooks are included. The layouts showcase a variety of styles and techniques, with many lovely punch art and die cut designs, as well as more unusual techniques, such as stained glass type designs. I especially like the emphasis this book places on journaling and creative ways to include the stories behind the photos and memorabilia. The content is comprehensive, suggesting that we think not only of showcasing the big day itself, but all events related to it, including engagement, showers, dress shopping and the honeymoon. I especially enjoyed one layout that chronicled the photo shoot for the engagement picture. When I looked at that one, I said to myself, "Yes, only a scrapper would think to have someone take photos of the photographer taking photos!"

I have been married more than five years, and am still assembling my wedding scrapbook (other projects, work and children keep taking priority). Over the years, I have assembled quite a number of books and magazine articles about wedding pages. This book is my number one reference - the one I keep coming back to.Other books will show you pages that can be done more quickly, but is that what you want to do for one of the landmark events of your life? Not every page in my scrapbook will look like the ones in this book. But, it's nice to know that at least a few of the pages were labors of love inspired by some very artistic people.If you have only one or two pages in your wedding album that are as attractive as the ones in this book, it will have been worth the purchase.

I recently bought this book and was surprised at the pages included. Overall, it has several very different layouts and some neat ideas for special topic pages (champagne bridal shower, leaving limo cutout). But, the pages were all sent in by "real people," so they do not at all have the polished look of the "memory masters" who usually compile Memory Makers books. I would say the level is intermediate, with a huge lack of advanced techniques. Antiquing, dry embossing, embossing with powders and a heat tool, embellishments, tags, vellum, use of computers, paint, and fabrics are not included at all. These are pretty standard in today's scrapbooking trends. The examples use stickers a lot, matted pictures, and cut-outs. There are some neat ideas, quilling in particular, and I really like the heritage pages. Because the pages were sent in, any specialty techniques are sparce and only given a few pages as examples. I agree this book is outdated overall, but is still a great place for a jump-start.

I have one of my pages featured in the book so, of course, I liked it:) It's not one of the books that I would most highly recommend though. Many of the ideas are over-the-top (including mine) for beginners. When I show beginning croppers the pages they get that glossy-eyed "I can't do that" look. Great for experienced people, but I don't recommend it for newbies or people who want simple pages.