Crafting A Wedding Cake Money Box: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding cake money box is a fun and creative way to collect cards and monetary gifts at a wedding reception. It is a personalised decoration piece that resembles a tiered wedding cake, complete with all the trimmings. This DIY project is a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought decorative card boxes, offering a unique and secure way to store cards and gifts until the newlyweds have time to open them. Making a wedding cake money box involves crafting, painting, and decorating a set of papier-mâché nesting boxes, creating a beautiful and functional addition to any gift table.

Sourcing materials

The materials you will need to make a wedding cake money box can be sourced from craft stores, online retailers, or even your local bakery. Here is a detailed list of what you will need and where you can find them:

• Cardboard boxes: Look for a set of papier-mâché nesting boxes or corrugated boxes that can be stacked to form the tiers of your wedding cake. The Container Store or Amazon are great places to start your search.
• Fabric: Choose a fabric that complements your wedding theme or colour palette. You can find fabric at craft stores like Joann's or online. Consider checking the clearance section for deals.
• Ribbons: Ribbons add a decorative touch to your money box. Opt for two different colours or styles to create visual interest. These can also be sourced from craft stores or online retailers.
• Glue: A strong adhesive such as Aleene's Fabric Fusion glue or a hot glue gun will be needed to secure the fabric and ribbons to your box. You can find these at craft stores like Michael's or Joann's.
• Decorative elements: This is where you can get creative! Look for items such as silk flowers, pearls, beads, sequins, or trim to decorate your money box. Craft stores, online retailers, or even local fabric shops may have these items.
• Tools: You will need some basic tools such as an Exacto knife or box cutter, scissors, measuring tape, and a paintbrush or foam brush. These can be found at most craft stores or hardware stores.
• Money box insert: If you plan to include a money pull-out feature, you will need a money box insert with a roll of plastic sleeves. These can be purchased online or at well-stocked baking specialty shops.

When sourcing your materials, don't be afraid to shop around and compare prices. Craft stores often have coupons or sales, so take advantage of those to stay within your budget. Additionally, don't be afraid to get creative and repurpose items you already have or find unique decorations to make your wedding cake money box truly personalised and special.

Assembling the box

The first step in assembling your wedding cake money box is to prepare the cardboard box that will serve as the base. Close the flaps of the box and use shipping tape to secure one side. For the other side, use a stapler so that you can easily open the box later without damaging it. If you don't need to reuse the box, you can simply tape both sides closed.

Next, hold the box so that the flaps are facing forward, and the flat side is at the top. Measure 2.5" to 3" from the left and right sides, and mark the size of the slot you want to cut. Using an X-acto knife or box cutter, carefully cut out the slot for cards. This slot should be long enough to accommodate standard greeting cards and no more than 1/2" wide.

Now, let's move on to preparing the fabric. Cut two pieces of fabric measuring about 13"x10". These will be used to cover the top and bottom of the box. Additionally, cut a long piece of fabric measuring approximately 45"x11". This piece will be used to wrap around the sides of the box. To create a smooth edge, fold down the long sides of this fabric piece by about 1" and use double-sided tape to secure it. Ensure that you measure the fabric on the box to get an exact fit.

It's time to start assembling the box! Apply fabric glue around the edges on the top side of the box. Lightly brush the glue towards the centre, being careful not to use too much glue as it may seep through the fabric. Leaving a 0.5" fabric overhang all around, place one of the 13"x10" fabric pieces on top and smooth it outwards from the centre towards the edges. This will adhere the fabric to the cardboard box. Allow a minute or two for the glue to dry before repeating this step for the bottom side of the box.

Take the long fabric piece and wrap it all the way around the sides of the box. Use pearl pins to secure the edges, with 2-3 pins on each side. This method ensures that you can easily remove the fabric later if needed. Now, take your ribbon and loop it through the bling-bling bouquet buckle. Wrap this ribbon around the sides of the box, using pearl pins again to stabilise it. You can also double the ribbon by looping both ends through the buckle before pinning it down.

Finally, cut the fabric on top of the card slot, and use double-sided tape to fold and secure the excess fabric inside the box. Add some trim to the top edges of the box with fabric glue, and your wedding cake money box is almost ready! Feel free to decorate it further with ribbon roses or any other embellishments of your choice.

Decorating the box

The fun part! After all the cutting and gluing, you now get to decorate your wedding cake money box. The sky's the limit here, but do try to keep it in the style and tone of the wedding. If you used smooth paper or just painted the boxes, you could go for the look of a fondant cake and add ribbons around the bottom of each layer and a loopy bow for the topper. If the wedding has a fun theme with bright colours, you could cut out polka dots from scrapbooking paper or make a fun topper from a children's toy.

For a more elegant look, you could use 2-inch-wide iridescent ribbon cut into 4-inch lengths and glue them into loops on the top box, making sure to stay clear of the slot so as not to block access. Then, glue some large silk roses on top, with small loops of wired pearls tucked in here and there. You can use the same wired pearls around the bottom of each layer to cover any ugly edges, and glue a strip of scalloped wedding-look lace around the edge of each box lid to look like decorative frosting.

Finally, glue all the boxes together and set them on top of a pedestal cake plate. You could also make a tent card from scrapbook paper, writing "Cards" in a fancy script, so guests know this creation is for cards and not cake!

Adding the money

Now that you have your wedding cake card box ready, it's time to add the money! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Money

Before you begin, decide on the amount of money you want to include in your wedding cake money box. It is recommended to use smaller denominations to prolong the surprise and create a longer stream of money. Then, roll up each bill neatly and tightly. You can secure the rolls with a small piece of tape, a rubber band, or even a ribbon.

Step 2: Create the Money Stream

Once your bills are rolled, it's time to create a stream of money. Start by taking one roll and threading it through the slot in the lid of your smallest box. Make sure to leave a little bit of the bill sticking out, so it can be easily pulled. Repeat this process with the remaining bills, creating a stream of money that will cascade out of the box when pulled.

Step 3: Secure the Money Stream

After you have created your money stream, use tape or glue to secure the bills to the inside of the box. You can also add a weight, such as a small coin or washer, to the end of the stream to make it easier to pull out. Just be sure that whatever weight you use is not so heavy that it pulls the stream out of the box prematurely.

Step 4: Test and Finalize

Before closing up your box, test the money stream to ensure it pulls out smoothly and without snagging. Once you are satisfied with the flow, carefully close the box, making sure the stream is not caught in the lid. If you are using multiple boxes, stack them, ensuring the holes are aligned, and secure them together with glue or tape.

Your wedding cake money box is now ready to be displayed at the wedding! When the happy couple is ready to open their cards and gifts, they will be delighted by the stream of money that pours out of their special box.

Securing the money

Step 1: Prepare the Money

Before assembling the box, gather the cash or any other paper items you wish to include, such as fun coupons or notes. Consider using smaller denominations to prolong the surprise, as the more individual bills, the better! Roll each bill or paper item and secure it with a small piece of tape or a rubber band. If you plan to reuse the box, consider using paper instead of tape to secure the rolls, as it will be easier to remove without damaging the box.

Step 2: Create a Secure Compartment

Purchase or make a pull-dispenser money box with a roll of plastic sleeves. These boxes are available on Amazon or in some well-stocked baking specialty shops. The money roll gift box should include a sturdy box, a lid with an opening, and a plastic roll with connected pockets or sleeves. Insert the rolled bills into the plastic sleeves, ensuring that they are secure and won't fall out. You can also use a simple cardboard box and create a slot for cards and money. If you go this route, cut a hole in the box, leaving a border of about two inches around the bottom. This will serve as the money slot.

Step 3: Assemble the Box

Now, it's time to assemble the box, ensuring the money is secure. If you're using a pull-dispenser money box, place the roll of money inside the box, and thread the top bill through the opening in the lid. Close the lid securely. If using a cardboard box, cover the box and its slot with fabric or paper, securing it with glue or double-sided tape. You can also decorate the box with trim, ribbons, flowers, or other embellishments to make it look like a wedding cake.

Step 4: Test and Finalize

Before finalizing the box, test the money retrieval mechanism to ensure it works smoothly. For the pull-dispenser box, attach the clip to the end of the plastic sleeve, and push the top bill down into the box so that the clip fits securely in the lid's opening. For the cardboard box, cut the fabric or paper covering the slot, and use double-sided tape to fold and secure the excess fabric or paper inside the box. Finally, add any final decorations, and your wedding cake money box is ready!

By following these steps, you can ensure that the money is securely stored within the wedding cake money box, providing a unique and memorable way to gift cash or other paper items to the happy couple.

Frequently asked questions