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Creating your Book from Scratch?

We recommend using a common word processing program (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs).  Below are just a few tips and ideas you may consider adding to your book.  Since YOU are the author of your book, we encourage you to add your own creative content, but these ideas should help you get started.  You may also want to refer to our "Ready-Made Book" option for additional ideas or recipes.

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  • A Dedication Page - dedicate the book to friends and family. You can include any special acknowledgements

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  • Table of Contents - If you decide to create a Table of Contents page, make sure to leave the page numbers blank.  We input the page numbers on your Table of Contents page once we've added page numbers to the content of your book.  Please note that we do not add verbiage, change format or text, or create dotted lines.  So remember to make your Table of Contents page exactly how you want it printed (just without the page numbers)

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  • A Story of Us - include facts about your lives, how you met, how you got engaged, interesting facts about your relationship - tell your story

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  • A Letter to the Bride and/or Groom - This could include a letter to each other or letters to and/or from close family members or friends

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  • Wedding Itinerary - include a list of events that will take place on your special day

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  • Wedding Party - include a page listing the names of all the people in your wedding party

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  • Include a copy of your engagement picture and/or wedding announcement

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  • In Loving Memory - Include a page recognizing the loved ones who have passed away

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  • Thank You - Include a page to express gratitude to those who made your special day possible

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  • If you are sports fans, you may want to include a Tailgating Checklist page

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  • A Cooking Tips Page, Cooking Substitution Page and/or Equivalents Page

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  • Title Page - Give a brief description of what your book is about.  You might also want to define why this book is a good representation of your lives being joined together as one.  Explain how you are each taking your favorite family recipes and combining them into one book

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  • You may want to include where the recipe came from. i.e. Mary Sue’s Famous mashed potatoes. Additionally, you could use sub-headings to describe how these people relate to you. i.e. Mary Sue - Bride’s great aunt. You may also consider separating the recipes from the bride’s side and grooms side into 2 sections

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  • Include a poem like the one below on the first or last page of your book:

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Recipe for a Happy Marriage

5 cups of Love

3 cups of Loyalty

Dash of Faith

4 cups of Kindness

5 cups of Understanding

1 cup of Friendship

6 spoonfuls of Hope

1 barrel of Laughter

Pinch of Forgiveness (no substitutions)

Dash of Thoughtfulness (not optional)

Take love and loyalty and mix thoroughly with faith.

Blend in kindness and understanding, add friendship and hope.

Sprinkle abundantly with laughter.

Garnish with forgiveness and thoughtfulness.

Bake with sunshine.

Serve daily with generous helpings.

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  • You may want to collect recipes at your bridal / wedding shower.  Ask your guests and family members to bring a copy of their favorite recipe to share in your book.  This can be an excellent way of getting your family and friends to contribute to your book

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