The Markle wedding album design
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 2:30PM Once I began being involved in the wedding photography business I struggled with tying in my newfound love of photographing weddings with my design experience of 13 years. As I talked to other designers, other photographers, and even others in the wedding business I was quickly told to make wedding invitations and then there was my tie. But I faced a dilemna with that very sensible approach, I didn’t have a huge interest in doing that just yet (maybe in the future, you can never rule things out!) — plus I knew several people in this market and this industry that already did that. Like my friend Kristen over at Five Dot Design or my friend Kristin, who had designed the invitation for the Markle wedding that I photographed last June. So I put on my thinking cap and realized while working on the contract for the Markle wedding where I could position my design skills. It was for the things AFTER the wedding that would turn out to be my emphasis.
The internet and this age of “I can do things myself” allows pretty much for any bride who pays for their disk of final wedding photos to complete their own wedding album with a few clicks and then a templated book pops out from any number of online vendors. When working through the Markle’s contract with them last year I mentioned that I would like to design the wedding album for them. At first Kim, the bride, was wondering what the difference of a designed album would be compared to one she could order herself online. I made the decision to leave it open in the contract and I would initially design a few pages of what my custom design would be and she could compare to a templated version online. Then, they could decide if they wanted me to continue with the design and finish the book, or if they would just go with a templated version. With the initial few pages of the design, both myself and Kim + Justin were saying, “It’s a go!” I got to put my book design experience to work for my wedding business, and the bride and groom got an album that reminded them front to back of the day they had planned for for so long and I heard, from them, that it captured their day just as they remembered it.
By being inspired by the wedding color scheme, the invitation design, and even being inspired by the venue itself—the Markles’ custom designed wedding album (featured below) created by MB a*d*p takes into consideration the months of planning Kim + Justin did and encompasses that with the events of their one special day and intertwines it all to live on a bookshelf in their home for the rest of their lives. (And they also ordered several copies from Blurb.com to give to family members as gifts!)
After the experience of designing the Markle’s album last year I knew exactly how I could tie my design and photography talents into my wedding packages; and you’ll now find custom designed wedding albums as part of my top two wedding packages in pricing. I’m also hoping that other wedding photographers would consider using me to help them take their photos and make an album — or even a couple who were married one, two, or even years ago would inquire with me about making an album for them to visually document one of the most special days of their lives.
Below are snippets of the invitation design, the wedding color scheme and the venue that I was inspired by when I sat down to design the Markle’s custom designed wedding album.
Examples of the Markle’s cover, interior book spreads and back cover all custom designed by MB a*d*p, with photography by MB a*d*p as well. The save the date card is included in one of the first spreads of the book so that even if a copy of that gets lost in years to come and is packed away, it can always be remembered and seen in the wedding album. The couple also decided to use text from their wedding ceremony to be sprinkled throughout the book, so the words from their minister could be showcased in the book in elegant and contemporary typography choices.
album, design, ohio, photography, wedding
Reader Comments (5)
This is beautiful Marissa. What a great way to incorporate your two passions. I hope to see more of these in the future!
Just gorgeous! You have an incredible eye!
Marissa, you did an amazing job designing Shona's book. It is gorgeous. I also love the photography throughout your blog.
I am so thrilled that you are joining us!
Could you please do a post about it, inviting others to participate as well, directing them to my blog to get signed up and to read about all of the details.
And remember to blog about your progress each weekend and mention the other participants with a link to their blogs in each weekend post, or put their links in your sidebar if you don't want to go to the trouble to list them all each time. Just remind them to look in the sidebar each week when you do your post so they can click around and see how everyone is coming along, be inspired to do art themselves and maybe even join in the fun. Check back here often for an updated list of participants as the list will grow.
I am signing up as follower and putting you on my blog list so I can know when you post, and I am adding your name to the list right now.
Again, I am so glad you could join us.
Trudy
http://artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-artistic-mother-group-forming-i.html
Hi, Marissa!
It was so incredible nice to meet you last night! I love looking at your work- it is so great that you are talented in design- something I truly suck at! :) I love this album design! I will definitely keep you in mind for my album needs- I {always} struggle... is this right, am I using negative space correctly, is this color scheme working/reflecting my clients taste.. blah.. :)))
Keep up the GREAT work!
Leeka — please do! Would love to talk further if you need any album help. :) It was great meeting so many other like minded people Thurs night and learn from each other.
Trudy — hoping to put a blog post up about the Artistic Mother this Sunday. Coming soon!