Crafting Wedding Bookmarks: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding bookmarks are a great way to add a personal touch to your big day. Whether you're a bookworm looking to incorporate your love of reading into your wedding theme or simply looking for a unique favour idea, making your own wedding bookmarks is a fun and creative project that can be done on a budget. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create beautiful and meaningful bookmarks that your guests will cherish long after your wedding day. From choosing the right supplies to designing and assembling your bookmarks, we'll cover everything you need to know to make your DIY wedding bookmarks a success. So, get your craft supplies ready and let's get started!

Choosing the right cardstock and twine colour

When making wedding bookmarks, it's important to select the right cardstock and twine colour to achieve the desired look and feel. Here are some tips to help you choose the right materials:

First, consider the overall theme or colour scheme of your wedding. If you have chosen a particular colour palette, try to find cardstock and twine that complement those colours. For example, if you are having a rustic-themed wedding with burlap and wood slices as part of your decor, you might want to choose a cardstock in a natural shade of brown or cream, and a twine in a similar hue.

Next, think about the type of cardstock you want to use. Cardstock comes in various weights, textures, and finishes. A heavier weight cardstock (such as 100# or more) will give your bookmarks a more sturdy and premium feel. If you want your bookmarks to have a smooth, elegant finish, choose a cardstock with a gloss or linen texture. For a more natural, rustic look, consider a cardstock with a kraft paper finish.

When selecting twine, there are also several options to consider. Baker's twine is a popular choice for wedding bookmarks as it comes in a variety of colours and has a slightly shiny finish. Other options include cotton twine, which has a more matte appearance, and jute twine, which is perfect for a rustic or boho-themed wedding.

Don't be afraid to mix and match different colours and textures to create a unique look. For example, you could pair a smooth, glossy cardstock with a textured twine, or choose a cardstock with a subtle pattern or watermark.

If you're feeling really creative, you could even try using ribbon instead of twine. This would be a great way to add a touch of luxury to your bookmarks, especially if you choose a satin or velvet ribbon. However, keep in mind that ribbon may be more expensive and delicate than twine.

Finally, don't forget to consider the book pages you will be using. As mentioned in the previous step, look for books with discoloured or letterpress-printed pages. The colour and texture of the book pages will also play a role in the overall aesthetic of your bookmarks, so choose wisely!

Selecting the perfect book

• Consider your theme: If you have a specific wedding theme, try to find a book that complements it. For example, if you're having a forest-themed wedding, you might choose a book with nature-inspired stories or poems.
• Think about your interests: Select a book that reflects your and your partner's interests or hobbies. This could be a favourite novel, a book of poetry, or even a cookbook if you're both foodies.
• Go for a classic: Choose a classic novel or a book of poetry that is well-loved and recognised by many. This could be a romantic option like "Pride and Prejudice" or "The Notebook," or something more light-hearted and fun.
• Personalise it: Consider adding a personal touch to the book. You could have a custom bookplate made with your names and wedding date, or even have the book embossed with your initials.
• Keep it simple: Don't overthink it – choose a book that you and your partner enjoy, and that reflects your personalities. It doesn't have to be a novel; it could be a beautiful art book, a collection of short stories, or even a book of crossword puzzles if that's your thing!
• Ask for recommendations: If you're stuck, ask your friends and family for suggestions. They might have some great ideas for books that are meaningful, unique, or simply a good read.

Remember, the book you choose doesn't have to be perfect – it's the thought that counts. So, have fun with it and pick something that you and your partner will enjoy.

Designing the bookmark and sleeve

When designing the bookmark and sleeve, you can completely customise the look and feel. Choose your cardstock and twine colours, as well as the type of book pages you want to use. For a vintage style, opt for book pages that are discoloured and have undergone letterpress printing. You can also include an excerpt, poem, verse, photo, or leave the back of the bookmark blank.

If you have access to a Silhouette machine, this will make the job easier, especially if you want a more intricate cut. However, it is not necessary, as you can cut out rectangles for the bookmarks using a paper cutter, and use a hole punch and scissors.

For the sleeve, you can include a custom thank-you message.

Printing and cutting the bookmarks and sleeves

Printing and cutting the bookmarks and their sleeves is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail and a bit of creativity. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Design your bookmark and sleeve: You can use a paper cutter to cut out rectangular bookmarks, or get creative and design a more intricate shape using a digital craft-cutting machine like a Silhouette machine. Consider adding a personal touch, such as an excerpt from a favourite text, a poem, a verse, or even a photo of the couple. Don't forget to include a whimsical or punny message, such as "Thank you for celebrating our next chapter."
• Print and cut your bookmarks and sleeves: If you have access to a laser printer, you can print your designs with registration marks, which will make cutting them out much easier. The registration marks will guide your cutting machine to cut in the right places. If using a Silhouette machine, turn on the registration marks in Silhouette Studio.
• Prepare your book pages: Source a vintage book with letterpress printing and discoloured pages. Pre-cut your book pages to fit the size of your bookmark design. Look for books with damaged bindings or warped pages to avoid destroying a book in good condition.
• Adhere your book pages to the bookmarks: Use strong adhesive tape, such as E-Z Runner permanent tape or Scotch Double-Sided Tape, to attach the book pages to the front of your bookmarks.
• Adhere your sleeve to the bookmarks: Apply the adhesive tape to the back of each sleeve and aim for the centre when attaching it to the bookmark. Make sure the edges are well-covered, and don't worry if the tape overlaps—you can easily fold it down.
• Add twine and charms: Decide on the length of twine you want and cut a stack of twine pieces to that length. Tie a looped knot through the hole in the bookmark, double it back, and feed a charm through the two ends before tying a simple knot to secure it.

By following these steps, you'll end up with beautiful, rustic wedding bookmarks that your guests will cherish.

Assembling the bookmarks

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

The first step is to gather all the necessary materials. You can customise your bookmarks by choosing cardstock and twine colours that match your wedding theme. You will also need a vintage book with letterpress printing and discoloured pages for a rustic look. Pre-measure the size of the book page you need to ensure it fits your design.

Step 2: Design Your Bookmark and Sleeve

You can design your bookmark and sleeve using a digital craft-cutting machine or by hand. If you're using a machine like a Silhouette, you can create intricate cut-out designs. Don't forget to include a personalised message, poem, verse, or photo on the back of the bookmark.

Step 3: Print and Cut

Print your designs and cut them out using scissors or a paper cutter. If you're using a Silhouette machine, you can print-and-cut by using the registration marks feature. This ensures the machine knows exactly where to cut.

Step 4: Pre-cut Your Book Pages

Create a template out of cardstock to ensure consistent sizing, then use scissors to cut out rectangles from the book pages. You can also look for pretty ornamentation at the start of new chapters to add a decorative touch.

Step 5: Adhere Your Book Pages to the Bookmarks

Use strong adhesive tape, such as E-Z Runner permanent tape or Scotch Double-Sided Tape, to attach the book pages to the front of your bookmarks.

Step 6: Adhere Your Sleeve to the Bookmarks

Apply the same adhesive tape to the back of your sleeve and stick it to the bookmark. Ensure that the edges are covered, and don't worry if the tape overlaps as it's thin and can be easily folded down.

Step 7: Tie on Your Twine and Charms

Decide on the length of twine you want, then cut a stack of twine to the same length. You can tie a simple knot, add charms, or even include a personalised message tag for a special touch.

Step 8: Assemble with Friends!

Assembling bookmarks can be a fun group activity. Invite your friends over, put on some music, and set up an assembly line to speed up the process. It's a great way to spend time with your loved ones while creating beautiful wedding favours.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating unique and memorable wedding bookmarks that your guests will cherish!

Frequently asked questions