Memory Planner by Capture
Answer a few questions to get a personalized slideshow plan for birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, and celebrations of life, plus what to gather, what to digitize, and a simple timeline.
What is Memory Planner?
A free tool for memorial tribute slideshows and family celebrations
Memory Planner is a free planning tool that helps you create a meaningful slideshow, whether you’re making a celebration of life slideshow, a slideshow for a memorial service, a milestone birthday tribute, or a wedding anniversary video. In minutes, you’ll get a clear outline (segments, captions, and music direction) and a checklist for what to collect, especially if you’re pulling from older media like videotapes, film reels, or printed photos.
Who Is It For?
Perfect for…
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Celebration of life slideshow
for a parent, partner, sibling, or friend -
Memorial Slideshow Ideas
when you don’t know where to start -
Family Slideshow Ideas
for reunions, graduations, and big birthdays -
Anniversary Tributes
including 50th wedding anniversary slideshow ideas -
Big Milestones
like 21st birthdays, retirements, and more!
What You'll Get
Here's what you can expect to receive in your Memory Plan:
- A slideshow title and suggested tone (heartfelt, uplifting, funny, nostalgic)
- 4 to 6 segment ideas with specific prompts (“look for clips of…”, “include photos from…”)
- Caption/overlay text ideas (warm, funny, or both)
- Music direction and a few song suggestions
- “What to digitize” checklist (especially helpful if you selected videotapes/old media)
- A realistic timeline so you can finish without stress
How to Make a Birthday Slideshow
If you’re wondering how to make a birthday slideshow, start with a simple story arc and a realistic photo count. This approach works whether you’re using a slideshow app, a video editor, or a tribute slideshow maker.
- Pick a vibe + a target length: For most parties, a birthday slideshow is best at 5–10 minutes (long enough to feel meaningful, short enough to keep attention).
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Use this easy structure
Opening:
- title + 1–2 “signature” photos
- Childhood + teen years
- 20s–40s highlights (friends, travel, milestones)
- Family + everyday life
- Closing: recent photos + message
- How many photos should you use? A good birthday guideline is 60–120 photos for a 5–10 minute slideshow, depending on how many video clips you include.
- Music tip: Pick 1–3 songs that match the tone. (If you’re searching for ideas like “21st birthday songs for slideshow,” aim for upbeat tracks that won’t overpower the photos.)
How to Make a Wedding Anniversary Slideshow
Looking for wedding anniversary slideshow ideas (including 50th wedding anniversary slideshow ideas)? The best anniversary slideshows focus on the relationship journey and the little traditions everyone remembers.
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Choose your version
- Toast moment: 5–8 minutes
- Reception loop: 10–20 minutes
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Use this relationship-first outline:
- “How it started” (early years / dating)
- “Building a life” (first home, adventures, milestones)
- “Traditions” (holidays, trips, rituals)
- “Family + friends” (community, celebrations)
- “Still us” (recent photos + closing message)
- Photo count guideline: Aim for 80–150 photos for a rich anniversary slideshow (use fewer if you have lots of video).
- Music tip: Use one romantic track + one upbeat classic. For a 50th anniversary, include a song from their era for instant nostalgia.
How to Make a Memorial Slideshow
If you need memorial slideshow ideas or want to create a memorial slideshow quickly, you’re not alone. A strong slideshow for a memorial service or celebration of life slideshow should feel comforting, personal, and easy to follow.
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Start with the purpose:
- During a service: aim for 5–10 minutes
- For an open house/reception (looping): 10–20 minutes
- Consider two versions: a short “service cut” + longer “family cut”
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Use this memorial tribute slideshow structure:
- Opening: name + dates + a photo that feels like them
- Early life
- Young adult years
- Family + community
- Passions + personality (“classic them” moments)
- Closing: recent photos + a final message or quote
- How long should a memorial slideshow be? Most memorial services work best with 5–10 minutes. If it’s meant to loop or play during a reception, 10–20 minutes can work well.
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How many photos for a memorial slideshow?
A practical rule of thumb:- 5 minutes: ~50–90 photos
- 8 minutes: ~80–140 photos
- 10 minutes: ~100–170 photos
- Music for memorial service slideshow: If you’re searching for music for memorial service slideshow ideas, choose 1–3 songs that support the emotion without overpowering the room. Instrumentals are a safe option when lyrics feel too heavy.
- If you have old media: If you selected videotapes or printed photos, digitizing is often the longest step. Memory Planner will recommend what to digitize so you can include it in the slideshow.
Have old videotapes or printed photos? Digitize them for your slideshow
Have old videotapes or printed photos? Digitize them for your slideshow
If your memories live on videotapes, film reels, or in photo albums, digitizing is the fastest way to use them in a slideshow. Memory Planner will tell you what to look for (birthdays, holidays, candid moments, “people speaking to camera”), and help you plan around digitization time.
Get a Digitization Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
For a slideshow for a memorial service, most families aim for 5–10 minutes so it fits comfortably into the program. If it will loop during a reception or open house, 10–20 minutes can work well (especially if it plays in the background). If you have a lot of video, consider making two versions: a shorter “service cut” and a longer “family cut.”
A practical guideline is 50–90 photos for ~5 minutes, 80–140 photos for ~8 minutes, and 100–170 photos for ~10 minutes—depending on pacing and how many video clips you include. If you’re creating a memorial tribute slideshow, Memory Planner will recommend a photo range based on your setting and tone.
Yes—start with a simple structure, keep captions minimal, and focus on meaningful photos. Memory Planner also recommends a practical timeline so you can create a memorial slideshow without feeling overwhelmed.
A simple “life chapters” structure works well: Early years → Family → Passions → Friends/Community → Legacy/Closing. If you have video, add short clips where they’re speaking, laughing, or interacting with family—those moments are powerful in a celebration of life slideshow.
That’s common. Your plan will prioritize digitizing tapes first and will suggest exactly what to look for (birthdays, holidays, family gatherings, “talking to camera,” candid laughter). This is especially helpful if you’re building a memorial tribute slideshow from old media.
Canva, iMovie, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and CapCut are all popular options. If you want a simple start, pick a tool you already know (PowerPoint/Google Slides) and keep your layout consistent. Memory Planner is tool-agnostic and works with any tribute slideshow maker.
Choose 1–3 songs that match the tone and won’t overpower the room. If lyrics feel too heavy, instrumentals are a great option. For music for memorial service slideshow choices, think: comforting, steady, and meaningful to the person or family.
Use a clean structure (childhood → “classic era” → family → today), keep captions short, and include a few “everyday” photos—not just posed shots. If you’re searching how to make a birthday slideshow, the key is pacing and specificity.
Go with upbeat, familiar tracks that fit the person’s vibe (pop/throwbacks/party classics). Memory Planner will suggest music direction based on the tone you choose, so it feels personal—not generic—especially for a 21st birthday songs for slideshow search.
Try a relationship-first arc: How it started → Building a life → Traditions → Family & friends → Still us. Add small details (favorite vacation spot, inside jokes, family rituals) so your 50th wedding anniversary slideshow ideas feel uniquely theirs.
Canva, iMovie, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and other editors all work—your plan is tool-agnostic.