A Love Story in Photos: How One Bride Created the Ultimate Wedding Day Surprise

Some love stories are written in ink, others in photographs. For Tina, her love story took shape in the pages of a custom Mixbook photo book—a heartfelt anniversary project that turned into the perfect wedding day surprise.

This is the story of how a decade of love, captured in snapshots, became a timeless gift.

A Decade of Love in the Making

Every year, Tina and her husband had a simple but meaningful tradition: making handmade cards for their anniversary. But when their ten-year milestone approached in 2024, she felt it was time to create something even more special.

She began crafting a Mixbook photo book—one that would chronicle their entire decade together. Each page was carefully curated with photos from their journey as a couple, a visual testament to the love that had grown over the years.

But then, something magical happened.

In March of 2024, Tina and her husband got engaged. And with that moment, her vision for the book changed. Instead of giving it as an anniversary gift, she decided to present it to her soon-to-be husband on their wedding day. It became more than just a collection of memories; it became a symbol of their love story, bound together forever.

A Personal Touch: A Love Story Told in Captions and Layouts

When creating her Mixbook, Tina had two goals:

1. Design a book that was clean and aesthetic, perfect for displaying on their coffee table.
2. Make it deeply personal—a tangible keepsake to relive their most cherished moments.

To achieve this, she chose different layouts for each page, ensuring that every spread felt fresh and unique. She carefully selected captions to tell their love story in her own words, weaving together memories and emotions with each turn of the page.

The result? A book that wasn’t just a collection of photos but a heartfelt narrative—one that she and her husband could flip through together for years to come.

Mixbook Studio™: A Seamless Creation Process

While putting together such a sentimental project could have been overwhelming, Tina was pleasantly surprised at how intuitive and simple Mixbook Studio™ made the process to be.

“I was surprised with how easy and simple it was to use Mixbook and was also very impressed with how fast the book was printed and with such high quality too. The hardcover and thick quality paper make the book feel very luxe.”

From selecting layouts to finalizing her design, every step of the process felt effortless. And when the finished book arrived, it exceeded her expectations.

A Gift That Brought Nostalgia, Joy, and Inspiration

Creating this book wasn’t just about giving a gift—it was about taking a journey through time.

As Tina sifted through old photos, she found herself reliving the small, beautiful moments that had built their relationship. The trips they took, the milestones they celebrated, and even the ordinary days that felt special just because they were together.

“Putting the book together was extremely nostalgic and heartwarming because it’s like a time capsule with all the little precious moments captured of us together. It allowed me to reflect and reminisce on all the time we had spent together over the past ten years and how we created so many beautiful memories.”

And it wasn’t just meaningful for her. Friends and family who saw the book were inspired to create their own, realizing how powerful it is to preserve love stories in a tangible way.

The Most Meaningful Memory: A Friendship That Started It All

Among all the photos in the book, one held a particularly special place in Tina’s heart—a picture from her childhood.

She and her husband first met in primary school. He had just moved from China and didn’t speak English. Tina, fluent in Cantonese, became his translator, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong bond.

The photo from their school camp—a snapshot of two kids who had no idea they would one day fall in love—became the opening page of her book.

“That picture is especially meaningful to me because it serves as a reminder of how we met and how we’ve known each other for such a long time and watched each other grow.”

That single image set the stage for everything that followed: friendship, love, and now, marriage.

An Engagement Gift Idea That Will Be Treasured Forever

If you’re looking for a sentimental engagement gift idea, Tina’s story is proof that a photo book is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. Whether it’s for a fiancé, spouse, or loved one, a custom book filled with memories becomes a cherished keepsake—one that tells a story only you can tell.

Thinking about making one for your own relationship? Get inspired by these 10-Year Anniversary Gift Ideas or explore more Anniversary Gifts by Year to find the perfect way to celebrate love.

In the end, love is more than a feeling—it’s the moments, the memories, and the stories we choose to hold onto. And sometimes, the best way to honor those stories is by creating something that will last a lifetime.

Are you ready to create yours? Head to the Mixbook Studio™ to start on your own engagement gift or sentimental photo book.