Crafting A Wedding Card Box With Wrapping Paper

A wedding card box is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding while also providing a safe place for guests to leave cards. Making your own wedding card box is a fun and creative project that can be done on a budget. In this blog post, we'll show you how to make a wedding card box using wrapping paper and other easily accessible materials. This project is perfect for those who want to add a unique and memorable element to their wedding.

Choosing the right wrapping paper

Theme and Colour Scheme

If the wedding has a specific theme or colour scheme, try to find wrapping paper that complements it. For example, if the wedding has a beach theme, opt for paper with seashells or tropical designs. Alternatively, if the couple has a preferred colour palette, choose paper that aligns with those colours. This attention to detail will create a cohesive and stylish look for your card box.

Design and Pattern

The design and pattern of the wrapping paper can elevate the overall aesthetic of your card box. Explore elegant patterns, luxurious textures, and customised prints. Classic designs such as stripes and polka dots are timeless and elegant. Floral prints and woven fabric themes are also excellent choices for a wedding card box. These options add a touch of sophistication while being environmentally friendly.

Simplicity

Sometimes, simplicity is key. Opt for wrapping paper with clean lines and minimalistic designs. Solid colours or understated patterns can create a modern and sleek look. This approach allows the card box to stand out while showcasing your thoughtfulness.

Personalisation

Consider adding a personal touch to your wrapping paper. You can include the couple's wedding date, names, or initials. Most printing services offer custom wrapping paper options, allowing you to make the card box feel exclusive and unique.

Quality

When selecting wrapping paper, it is essential to choose a mid-range quality that is easy to fold and crease without tearing or wrinkling. Avoid cheap, flimsy paper, as it may not provide a neat finish. Similarly, overly stiff luxury paper can be challenging to work with.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right wrapping paper for your wedding card box, ensuring it aligns with the theme, reflects the couple's style, and creates a memorable and elegant addition to the wedding décor.

Preparing the box for wrapping

First, select a sturdy box with a lid. Ensure that the box is deep enough if you want to cut a card slot. If you're making a large box, you can use a shipping box for the bottom, and a shoe box and a decorative box for the upper layers. Seal the bottom box closed with packing tape.

Next, cut a door at the back of the bottom box to retrieve the wedding cards. This step is optional but useful. Now, cut two pieces of matte board, each about half an inch larger than the bottom box, and glue them to the top and bottom of the bottom box with hot glue.

Then, cut a slot in the top of the box, large enough to accommodate cards. Ensure that you cut through both the matte board and the top of the box. You can also cut a card slot in the lid of the box, if you prefer.

Now, assemble all the boxes and glue them together with hot glue. If you're using wood, apply wood glue to the ends of the pieces and secure with clamps before nailing the corners together with a brad nailer.

If you're using plywood, cut the plywood to size and nail it onto the frame. You can fill in any exposed edges with spackle and sand the entire box until it's smooth.

Finally, paint your box with spray paint or flat paint. You can also add personal touches like your wedding date or names, or other embellishments like ribbons or dried flowers.

Wrapping the box

Now that you have your boxes, it's time to start wrapping. If you are using recycled boxes, make sure you seal the bottom box closed with packing tape. You can also cut a small door at the back of the box to retrieve the cards.

Select a sturdy wrapping paper that matches your wedding theme. You can also use fabric for a polished look, but be mindful that thin fabric might rip or wrinkle. If you want to use thick cardstock, check out this guide.

Before you start, lay out some newspaper or an old cloth to protect your work surface from glue or spray adhesive.

For the first box, cut the wrapping paper based on the perimeter of the box. Spray half of one side of the box with adhesive and place the paper over it, smoothing it out with your hand. Work on one side at a time, and remember that the seam will be at the back, so it won't be visible from the front.

Once the sides are covered, secure any loose fabric by spraying a small amount of adhesive and folding it into the box. Turn the box over and fold the fabric at the corners, much like wrapping a gift. Glue the flaps down with adhesive.

Repeat this process for the other boxes, ensuring that you only cover the sides that will be visible. The top and bottom of the bottom box will be covered with cardboard, so you don't need to worry about those sides.

If you want to add a card slot, use a craft knife to cut a rectangle in one of the boxes. Cover the box with paper or fabric, and then cut the fabric or paper to fit inside the slot, gluing it in place.

You can also add a ribbon to the lid of the box for a decorative touch. Cut a piece of ribbon that goes from the inside of the left side to the inside of the right side. Glue one end in place, stretch the ribbon across the top, and glue the other end in place. Cut two more pieces of ribbon long enough to act as ties and glue them to the underside of the box, one on each side. Once dry, tie the two ends into a bow.

For the inside of the box, you can use a solid colour wrapping paper, or something with a textured effect. Measure and cut the paper to fit the interior bottom and sides. To create a textured look, crumple the paper in your hands and then smooth it out. Glue the paper inside the box, repeating on the inside of the lid to cover any loose ribbon ends.

Adding a card slot

Step 1: Choosing the Right Box

First, you will need to select a sturdy box with a lid, ensuring both the bottom and top are intact and in good condition. It is important to choose a box that is deep enough if you plan to cut a card slot.

Step 2: Cutting the Card Slot

If you decide to include a card slot, measure and cut a slit in the box's lid. The slit should be approximately 1/4" wide and at least 6" long. This will allow guests to easily slip their cards into the box.

Step 3: Wrapping the Box

Before wrapping the box, you may want to cut a small door at the back of the box. This will make it easier to retrieve the cards later. Now, it's time to add your chosen wrapping paper. Use double-sided tape or a suitable adhesive to attach the paper smoothly and securely, ensuring all sides of the box and the lid are covered. Overlap the wrapping paper around the edges of the door to give it a neat, finished look.

Step 4: Finalising the Card Slot

Once the box is wrapped, you will need to finalise the card slot. Cut a piece of wrapping paper to fit inside the slit, ensuring it is smoothly adhered to the inside of the lid. This will give the card slot a neat and polished appearance.

Step 5: Embellishments (Optional)

You can further embellish your card box by adding ribbons, bows, stickers, or other decorative elements that match your wedding theme. Consider personalising the box with your wedding date or names to make it even more special.

By following these steps, you will have a beautiful and functional wedding card box with a secure card slot, ready to display at your wedding!

Final touches and embellishments

Now for the fun part: final touches and embellishments!

If you want to add a personal touch, consider adding your wedding date or names to your box. You could use vinyl cut-outs, or even paint it on by hand. You could also add dashes to the right and left sides of your names and dates, using them to line up against marks made on painter's tape to ensure everything is centred and even.

If you want to add some extra sparkle, try using self-stick rhinestones, or a decorative cord trim. You could also add a brooch, gluing it in place on the front of the box.

If you want to add some natural elements, consider incorporating flowers. You could use dried or artificial blooms, or even a combination of both. You could also add peacock feathers, or other feathers that fit your colour scheme.

To add some extra texture, try using different types of paper. For example, you could use natural or recycled paper, as the texture can help to hide any wrinkles or imperfections caused by glue. You could also try balling the paper up tightly in your hands to get it to fold and wrinkle, before smoothing it back out to create a textured look.

Finally, you could add some ribbon to your box. Cut one piece of ribbon that goes from the inside of the left side of the lid to the inside of the right side. Glue one end in place, stretch the ribbon across the top of the lid, and glue the other end inside the lid. Cut two more pieces of ribbon long enough to act as ties. Glue one end to the underside of the box, leaving the other end loose. Repeat on the other side. Once dry, tie the two ends together into a bow.

Frequently asked questions