Wondering how to make a hen party memory book? It’s a lovely way to bring together the bride’s favourite photos and messages from the people who know her best.
Here, Jayne shares her practical tips for putting one together, from choosing a format to gathering everyone’s contributions without a last-minute panic.
What is a hen party memory book?
A hen party memory book is a scrapbook or photo book filled with the bride’s happiest memories and messages from the people who love her. Think of it as her own “this is your life” book, with plenty of photos she may have forgotten existed.
Ready to start? Grab a coffee or pour yourself a glass of vino, and let’s get started.
Step 1: Choose the best format
If you love getting crafty, a handmade scrapbook filled with photos and handwritten notes is a lovely option. Start with a guest book, photo album or scrapbook, then add your own personal touches as you go.
If the only cutting and pasting you do is on your computer, a printed photo book designed online may suit you better. You can arrange the photos and text digitally, then have the finished book printed. Choose a service that delivers to you and check its production and delivery times before getting started.
For something a little different, try a personalised magazine. You could create a cover yourself or put together a whole magazine about her life. If she loves glossy magazines, take a look at this personalised hen party magazine for inspiration.
Top tip: Don’t leave it until the last minute, like I did! You’ll be relying on family and friends to send photos and messages, so ask early and give everyone a clear deadline. Leave yourself time to chase missing contributions and, if you’re ordering a printed book, allow for delivery too.
Step 2: Gather photos, messages and keepsakes
Before you start printing, gather everything you’d like to include. Photos are an obvious starting point, but old notes or funny messages between you can make the book feel even more personal.
When I made one as maid of honour, I found messages we used to leave on each other’s Facebook walls. Some were cheesy, but they were hilarious. The aim is to make her laugh or get a little emotional in a good way, so leave out anything she would find upsetting or embarrassing.
Here are a few things to include in your hen party memory book:
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Photos from different parts of her life. Mix childhood pictures with memories from school, holidays and time with friends. If you can, include a photo of her with each hen. Scan older photographs so you can keep the originals safe.
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Messages from the hens. Ask each person to share a favourite memory or a note to the bride. For a printed photo book, give everyone a rough word count so the messages fit the space you’ve planned.
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Notes from family and friends who can’t attend. They can still be part of the surprise. A message from her mum, granny or a much-missed friend can make a page especially meaningful.
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A contribution from her partner. Ask for a favourite photo of them together and a message for her to read. You could give their story its own page.
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Little keepsakes. Ticket stubs, postcards or copies of old handwritten notes can bring a memory back just as quickly as a photo.
If you’re making a handmade scrapbook, you can also leave a few spaces for the hens to write their messages during the party. Just remember to bring pens and find a moment when the bride isn’t looking!
Top tip: Retro-style photo prints give a scrapbook a lovely nostalgic feel. I used Snapfish retro prints for the hen book I put together, adding little captions and pastel frames. A date or an inside joke beneath a photo can make it even more special.
Step 3: Plan your layout
You can tell her story in chronological order, starting with childhood and working towards the wedding, or group pages around the people and memories in her life. There’s no need to force a timeline if a more relaxed scrapbook feels more like her.
Lay out your photos and messages before sticking anything down. Check that everything fits, that the writing is easy to read and that you’re happy with how the pages flow. For a photo book, preview every page before placing your order.
Leave a few blank pages at the back if you’d like to add photos from the hen party afterwards.
Step 4: Put your hen party memory book together
Once you’re happy with the layout, secure your photos and keepsakes with photo-safe adhesive or photo corners. Add the messages and any finishing touches, then check that everything is firmly attached before wrapping the book.
If you’ve chosen a printed photo book, double-check names, dates and spelling before ordering. Pay attention to any image-quality warnings so you can replace blurry photos before they go to print.
Wrap the finished book or pop it in a gift bag, then choose a moment at the hen party when she has time to sit down and enjoy it with everyone.
It takes a little organising, but seeing her turn the pages makes it worth the effort. And if you’ve included those old Facebook messages, expect a few explanations!
