Franklin Dean
Wedding mailboxes are a great way to collect cards and well wishes from your guests. They can be a wonderful addition to the gift table, and you can even have your guests fill in postcards or notes to pop in the mailbox as a guestbook alternative. You can buy simple mailboxes and decorate them with paint, stickers, glitter, ribbons, garlands, pom poms, and more. Alternatively, you can hire or buy pre-made wedding mailboxes.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Sourcing a mailbox
If you're looking to buy a mailbox, there are several options available. You can find modern mailboxes with vintage charm at American hardware stores, on Amazon, or even at Barnes and Noble, although the latter may be more expensive. These simple metal mailboxes typically range in price from around $15 to $100. You can also find mini mailboxes at David's Bridal, which can be used as favour boxes or decorated and used as escort card holders. Etsy is another great option for finding unique and vintage mailboxes, like the $49.95 personalised mailbox inspired by the film 'Up'.
If you're feeling crafty, you can make your own mailbox with a few simple supplies. Paper mache mailboxes from Hobby Lobby can be decorated with paint, glitter, glue, ribbons, garlands, and anything else you can think of. You can also make your own cardboard mailbox from scratch or buy a pre-made one from Hobbycraft and decorate it with paint, fabric, glitter, stamps, or stickers. For a vintage look, try thrift shops, yard sales, car boot sales, or eBay for an old mailbox that you can paint and personalise.
Don't forget that your mailbox doesn't have to be an actual mailbox! A well-travelled suitcase, a wicker picnic hamper, a birdcage, or a modern wire basket can all be decorated and used as unique and charming alternatives to a traditional mailbox.
With a bit of creativity and some personal touches, you can easily source or create a wedding reception mailbox that fits your theme and style.
Washington State Wedding Receptions: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Painting and decorating
When it comes to painting and decorating your wedding mailbox, the possibilities are endless. You can choose any colours you like to match your wedding theme. If you're going for a vintage look, you can try thrift shops, yard sales, car boot sales, Etsy or eBay for a pre-loved mailbox that you can decorate. For a modern mailbox with vintage charm, you can find simple metal mailboxes at hardware stores, on Amazon, or even in some bookshops.
If you're feeling creative, you can decorate your mailbox with paint, glitter, glue, ribbons, garlands, pom-poms, vintage sheet music, or anything else that takes your fancy. You can also add personal touches like vinyl lettering, stencils, or decals with words or phrases like "love" or "notes". If you want to add some height to your display, consider using mismatched candlesticks of different sizes to elevate your mailbox.
For a rustic look, you can use a wicker picnic hamper and decorate it with bunting and flower garlands. Alternatively, you can keep it simple with a wooden crate and let the natural grain of the wood show through, or paint it to match your wedding colours. If you're feeling crafty, you can build your own cardboard mailbox from scratch and decorate it with paint, fabric, glitter, stamps, or stickers.
Don't forget to add some finishing touches to your mailbox display. You can surround it with jars of flowers, succulents, or moss to create a whimsical look. If you want to incorporate a sign, you can write "Gift Cards" or "Love Notes" using a stencil, freehand, or by printing out a piece of paper and attaching it to the mailbox or a frame next to it.
Exploring Oregon's Vibrant Wedding Venue Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Adding details and signage
Signage
If you're using the mailbox for guests to leave their well wishes, consider adding a sign to the mailbox flag that says "gift cards" or "love notes". This can be done freehand, with a stencil, or by printing out a piece of paper with the desired wording. Alternatively, you can place a frame next to the mailbox with a similar sign. If you're using the mailbox for escort cards, put letters on the front of each mailbox to organise the cards alphabetically.
Details
Incorporate your wedding colours into the mailbox by painting it or adding a flag garland. You can also add vinyl lettering or stencils with sayings like "happily ever after". If you want a vintage look, try thrifting a mailbox and giving it a shabby-chic feel, or recreate your country's iconic postbox. For a modern look, choose a dramatic geometric shape, or go for a minimalist wire basket.
Personalisation
Add a whimsical touch with a vintage typewriter, or string up paper planes and line a suitcase with an old-fashioned map for a travel-inspired wedding. You can also elevate mini mailboxes with mismatched candlesticks for an interesting display. Don't be afraid to get creative and use paint, glitter, glue, ribbons, garlands, and pom-poms to make your mailbox unique.
Etsy and Hobbycraft
Etsy and Hobbycraft offer a range of unique wedding mailbox options. Etsy's wedding card mailboxes include gold handmade brass, classic boxes with slots and locks, and personalised sparkler tags. Hobbycraft has square and cylinder post boxes that can be painted, wrapped in fabric, or adorned with glitter, stamps, or stickers.
BYO Wedding Venues: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Positioning the mailbox
When it comes to positioning your DIY wedding mailbox, there are several options to consider. Here are some ideas to help you choose the best spot:
Place the mailbox near the seating arrangement: One of the easiest ways for guests to find the mailbox is to place it near where they pick up their name places for seating. This ensures visibility and accessibility for guests who want to drop off their gifts, cards, or well wishes.
Make it the centrepiece of a table: Consider placing the mailbox on a table where it can take centre stage. You can also use this table to display other wedding-related items, such as a guest book, a Polaroid camera, or even a vintage typewriter. This setup encourages guests to interact with the mailbox and creates a designated area for their contributions.
Surround it with decorations: Enhance the visual appeal of your mailbox by surrounding it with decorations. Consider placing jars of flowers, succulents, or vintage props alongside the mailbox to create a charming and inviting atmosphere. This is an excellent way to draw attention to the mailbox and make it a focal point of the reception decor.
Use it as a unique guestbook: Instead of a traditional guestbook, position the mailbox as a creative alternative. You can provide postcards or notes for guests to fill out and pop into the mailbox. This interactive approach encourages guests to leave heartfelt messages, marriage advice, or fun anecdotes for the newlyweds to read later.
Incorporate it into your seating plan: For a creative twist, you can use multiple mailboxes as escort card holders. Alphabetise the mailboxes with letters on the front, and even decorate them with moss, flower details, or succulents. This idea adds a whimsical touch to your seating plan and doubles as a decorative element at each table.
Remember, the positioning of your wedding mailbox can be tailored to your venue and personal preferences. Choose a spot that is easily accessible, visible, and complements the overall aesthetic of your wedding reception decor.
Renting a Wedding Venue: Expert Tips for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Filling the mailbox
Once you've built your wedding mailbox, you'll want to fill it with special messages from your guests. You could have your guests fill in postcards or notes to pop in the mailbox as a guest book alternative. You could even have them share marriage advice or well wishes. If you're providing a Polaroid camera for guests to take funny photos, you could have them put these in the mailbox, too.
If you're using the mailbox for cards, you could place it where your guests get their name cards for seating—this is the easiest way for them to find it. You could also put a sign next to the mailbox that says "Gift Cards" or "Love Notes." You can make this sign freehand, with a stencil, or by printing out a piece of paper with the writing. Alternatively, you could have a frame next to the mailbox with the sign.
If you want to use the mailbox for escort cards, you could put letters on the front of multiple mailboxes to organise the cards alphabetically. You could also use mini mailboxes painted with letters or words like "Notes" or "Love" as escort card holders.
Finding a Wedding Venue: It's Harder Than You Think
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Wedding reception mailboxes are used to collect cards, well wishes, and gifts from guests. They can also be used as decoration and as a guestbook alternative.
Wedding reception mailboxes can be purchased from various online retailers, including Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Hobbycraft. They are also available at hardware stores and bridal shops.
The design of your wedding reception mailbox should complement the theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a vintage-themed wedding, consider using a vintage suitcase or a mailbox with a retro design. If you're having a rustic wedding, a wicker picnic hamper or a simple wooden crate could be a good option.
The materials you need will depend on your chosen design. However, some basic materials you may need include a mailbox, paint, glue, vinyl lettering or stencils, and decorations such as flowers, garlands, or ribbons.
You can decorate your wedding reception mailbox to match your wedding theme and colours. Consider using paint, vinyl lettering or stencils, decals, glitter, ribbons, garlands, or flowers to add a personal touch. You can also include a sign indicating its purpose, such as "Gift Cards" or "Love Notes."
