Creating A Money Tree Wedding Gift: A Step-By-Step Guide

Money trees are a fun and creative way to collect cash gifts at weddings. They can be made from real or artificial branches, decorated with fairy lights, ribbons, and other ornaments, and provide a place for guests to attach their monetary gifts using clips or envelopes. While some consider money trees to be rude or tacky, they can be a discreet and elegant option when presented tastefully, especially for destination weddings or when the couple already has essential household items. This guide will explore how to make a money tree for a wedding, including folding money into flowers, assembling the tree, and placing it tastefully at the celebration.

Choosing a branch: Select a branch with lots of offshoots to hang money flowers on

Choosing the right branch is an important step in making a money tree for a wedding. The branch should be around 18 inches and have lots of offshoots to hang the money flowers on. You can find a suitable branch in your yard or purchase one from a craft store. If you're making a large money tree, opt for a big branch and use cement to secure it into a big pot. For smaller money trees, air-drying clay works well to secure the branch.

When selecting a branch, look for one with a lot of smaller branches coming off the main one. This will provide plenty of places to hang the money flowers. The size of the branch will depend on the size of your wedding and where you plan to display the money tree. If you're placing it on a table, a smaller branch will suffice. But if you're using it as a centerpiece, you may want a larger branch to make a bigger impact.

Once you've found the perfect branch, trim it into a suitable shape and file any rough or sharp edges to ensure it's safe. If needed, you can also hot glue extra branches to the main structure to fill out the shape. Spray paint your branch in a colour that matches your wedding theme—popular choices include silver, white, and gold. Allow the paint to dry completely before handling.

Now it's time to secure the branch into your chosen pot. If using air-drying clay, place the clay on top of the stones at the bottom of the pot and insert the branch. Leave the clay to dry before moving on to the next step. For larger branches, use cement to secure the branch in a big pot.

With the branch in place, it's now ready for decorating. Wrap ribbon around the branches, leaving gaps to show the branches. Attach mini pegs or paper clips to the branches, securing them with craft wire if needed. You can also add small ornaments, fairy lights, or other decorations that match your wedding colours or theme.

Folding the money: Fold dollar bills into triangles, then in half lengthwise to create 'petals' for your tree

To fold the money into petals for your money tree, start by placing a dollar bill face-up on a flat surface. Take the left side of the bill and fold it into the centre, creasing it along the leftmost edge of the portrait. Repeat this process with the right side of the bill, keeping the folds equal so that your money flower will be smooth and consistent. There should be a small gap of about 1 to 1.5 inches between the edges of both folds.

Next, grab each corner and fold it forward into a triangle, so that each side of the bill now resembles a larger triangle with a pointed edge. The portrait in the centre should still be visible. Then, pinch both sides of the bill together to make a long, horizontal fold, so that the bill now looks like a long trapezoid. Repeat this process with two more dollar bills so that you have three folded trapezoids in total. Each dollar bill will create two petals, allowing you to make a flower with six petals.

Now, stack your folded bills and tie them together with wire. Loop an 8-inch piece of wire around the centre of your folded money and twist it to hold the bills securely. Finally, expand the folds by pinching and opening the folded ends of the dollar bill until the edges are touching. Your dollar bill should now look like a flower blossom with six petals.

Securing the branch: Use clay, sand, or marbles to secure the branch in a pot or tin can

To secure the branch in a pot or tin can, you can use clay, sand, marbles, or floral foam. If you're using floral foam, insert it into the pot before inserting the branch. If you're using clay, put some stones at the bottom of the pot to weigh it down and put the clay on top. Leave the clay to dry before moving on to the next step. If you're using sand or marbles, fill the pot with them to hold the branch firmly in place.

If you want to decorate the clay pot, you can cover it with material or glue moss to the outside for a more natural look. Alternatively, you can place the pot inside another more decorative container.

Decorating the tree: Wrap ribbon around the branches, leaving gaps so the branch is still visible

Decorating the tree is a fun part of the process. You can use ribbon, or other decorative accents, to wrap around the branches. If you are using a theme, add items that match this theme to the tree. You can also use your wedding colours.

It is important to leave gaps when wrapping the ribbon so that the branch is still visible. You can also add small ornaments that match your wedding colours or theme. Small fairy lights can be a nice touch, but be careful not to be too flashy.

If you are using a ribbon, use one that fits with your wedding colour scheme. You can also add mini pegs or paper clips to the tree, securing them with craft wire if your branches are thick. You can also add envelopes and notepads to the tree table.

If you want to be more subtle, you can place the tree near other gifts, but not front and centre. You can also add a few random bills to the tree so guests understand its purpose.

Adding clips: Attach mini pegs or paper clips to the tree with craft wire so guests can hang their gifts

Adding clips to your money tree is a great way to ensure your guests can easily attach their monetary gifts. You can use mini pegs or paper clips, securing them to the branches with craft wire, especially if your branches are thick. This way, your guests will not have to worry about their gifts falling off the tree.

You can also add small envelopes and notepads to the table, so guests can leave discreet cash gifts and include any wedding wishes. This is a great option for guests who may feel uncomfortable with the idea of hanging money on a tree.

It is important to remember that a money tree should be a subtle addition to your wedding decor. Place it near other gifts, but not in the centre, as you do not want to make it seem like giving money is a requirement. You can also add a lighthearted poem or verse near the tree, explaining its purpose and making it clear that cash gifts are optional.

Frequently asked questions