My Handmade Wedding a book by Marrianne Mercer
book review originally published at tssreviews/blog
My Handmade Wedding
Author Marrianne Mercer
ISBN 978-1-78221-158-7
Published in 2016 by SEARCH PRESS
Content
128 pages:
Marrianne Mercer's sharing of everything to do with her own 'handmade' wedding. From the pleases right through to the thank yous. Marrianne incorporates her experience of pre planning and the enjoyable undertaking of what was, largely, a DIY wedding. The writing conveys an idea, it is a feature style presentation. Content falls under 9 main headings ; introduction, Planning the Wedding, The Stationery, The Wedding Party, The Ceremony, The Reception, After The Honeymoon, Templates, Index
Introduction
This is a case of being in the right place to take your graphic design skills to another level. Marrianne explains in her introduction that she actually works as a book designer for the publishers of this book, namely Search Press, so at the point of publishing Marrianne joined the author's list of her own employers!
Quality of information 9/10
It'd be easy to guess Marrianne is a graphic designer she has her mind focusing on print production and likes to play with typography fonts. When you see the suggestions she presents for stationery design options she is willingly passing on a few tricks of the trade, the Stationery chapter covers 8 pages. What you need for each project is set out at the start of each new project and the materials for almost all of the crafting are widely available from craft suppliers/retailers of this ilk. There are lots of lists and tips to help. If instructions are followed closely everything should be achievable as long as each project is equipped properly. Includes 4 pages of Templates at the back (actual sized)
Layout 8/10
Paperback cover with 9 or so of the projects displayed as a collage on the front and back. Book measures 260 mm x 204 mm (H X W) approx. Feature style presentation using a mix of text, photography, b/w illustration, diagrams, coloured charts etc. Fonts are sometimes fine, sometimes bold. 9 main headings under which various subheadings fall.
Photography/Illustration 9/10
Stage by stage of the making is well illustrated using photographic images, as is the photographic displaying of end results, pieces appear in real life wedding shots of the big day. B/W illustration, tips appear in circles of different colours dotted around. Pages packed with photography, from demonstrating step by step working to full paged images.
Conclusion
Not only is Marrianne the star and the subject of the book, (not meaning to put hubby, Dave in the shade of course), but she is also the book's editorial creator, so this book is unique in many ways. The couple definitely saved themselves money by not using the 'off the shelf' products and services of others, but in this case, the idea behind the wedding really was for it to be less staged and more original and personal in a contributory sense for Marrianne. Arguably, those who may be considering home crafting their preparations for a wedding, or any other life event comes to that, may well be doing it for the same reasons as Marrianne but will more likely be courting the idea because 1. they are working within a tight budget, and/or, 2. they would prefer to have a 'green' wedding. There is very little re using and up cycling of found materials going on in Marrianne's 'what you need list', as, even though she is not brand specific, she is predominately a shopper who likes to make things, this is what comes across. Marrianne's designs were not only season led, but were very much commercial led too. It is obvious that she really celebrates bright and colourful design, but if it is all a bit too garish for ones taste then materials can be swapped for something more muted, naturalistic or eco-friendly, the ideas can still serve as a good base guide.
My Handmade Wedding
Author Marrianne Mercer
ISBN 978-1-78221-158-7
Published in 2016 by SEARCH PRESS
Content
128 pages:
Marrianne Mercer's sharing of everything to do with her own 'handmade' wedding. From the pleases right through to the thank yous. Marrianne incorporates her experience of pre planning and the enjoyable undertaking of what was, largely, a DIY wedding. The writing conveys an idea, it is a feature style presentation. Content falls under 9 main headings ; introduction, Planning the Wedding, The Stationery, The Wedding Party, The Ceremony, The Reception, After The Honeymoon, Templates, Index
Introduction
This is a case of being in the right place to take your graphic design skills to another level. Marrianne explains in her introduction that she actually works as a book designer for the publishers of this book, namely Search Press, so at the point of publishing Marrianne joined the author's list of her own employers!
Quality of information 9/10
It'd be easy to guess Marrianne is a graphic designer she has her mind focusing on print production and likes to play with typography fonts. When you see the suggestions she presents for stationery design options she is willingly passing on a few tricks of the trade, the Stationery chapter covers 8 pages. What you need for each project is set out at the start of each new project and the materials for almost all of the crafting are widely available from craft suppliers/retailers of this ilk. There are lots of lists and tips to help. If instructions are followed closely everything should be achievable as long as each project is equipped properly. Includes 4 pages of Templates at the back (actual sized)
Layout 8/10
Paperback cover with 9 or so of the projects displayed as a collage on the front and back. Book measures 260 mm x 204 mm (H X W) approx. Feature style presentation using a mix of text, photography, b/w illustration, diagrams, coloured charts etc. Fonts are sometimes fine, sometimes bold. 9 main headings under which various subheadings fall.
Photography/Illustration 9/10
Stage by stage of the making is well illustrated using photographic images, as is the photographic displaying of end results, pieces appear in real life wedding shots of the big day. B/W illustration, tips appear in circles of different colours dotted around. Pages packed with photography, from demonstrating step by step working to full paged images.
Conclusion
Not only is Marrianne the star and the subject of the book, (not meaning to put hubby, Dave in the shade of course), but she is also the book's editorial creator, so this book is unique in many ways. The couple definitely saved themselves money by not using the 'off the shelf' products and services of others, but in this case, the idea behind the wedding really was for it to be less staged and more original and personal in a contributory sense for Marrianne. Arguably, those who may be considering home crafting their preparations for a wedding, or any other life event comes to that, may well be doing it for the same reasons as Marrianne but will more likely be courting the idea because 1. they are working within a tight budget, and/or, 2. they would prefer to have a 'green' wedding. There is very little re using and up cycling of found materials going on in Marrianne's 'what you need list', as, even though she is not brand specific, she is predominately a shopper who likes to make things, this is what comes across. Marrianne's designs were not only season led, but were very much commercial led too. It is obvious that she really celebrates bright and colourful design, but if it is all a bit too garish for ones taste then materials can be swapped for something more muted, naturalistic or eco-friendly, the ideas can still serve as a good base guide.
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