Creating A Wedding Card Keepsake Book: Treasuring The Memories

Wedding cards are precious mementos that you'll want to keep forever. If you're looking for creative ways to preserve your wedding cards and turn them into a keepsake, look no further! In this article, we'll explore different methods for creating a wedding card keepsake book that you can treasure for years to come. From simple DIY projects using binders and ribbons to more intricate bookbinding techniques, we'll guide you through the process of transforming your wedding cards into a beautiful keepsake book. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the world of wedding card preservation!

Choosing a binder

Size

The size of the binder will depend on the number of cards you want to include in your keepsake book. If you have a large number of cards, consider choosing a larger binder or making two smaller ones. A mini-binder, for example, might be perfect if you have a smaller number of cards and want something that can easily fit on a shelf.

Colour and Design

You can choose a binder that matches your wedding colours or the theme of your wedding. If you can't find one that matches your desired colour scheme, you can always decorate it yourself with decorative paper, ribbon, or other embellishments. Consider covering a binder with decorative paper or fabric to give it a more personalised look.

Type of Binder

There are different types of binders available, such as ring binders or those with fixed spines. Ring binders offer more flexibility as you can easily add or remove cards. They also come in various sizes, making it easy to find one that fits your needs. However, if you want a more polished look, you might prefer a fixed spine binder, which can be made by binding the cards together with ribbon or thread.

Hole Punching

If you opt for a ring binder, you will need to punch holes in your cards. You can use a single hole punch or a three-hole punch, depending on your preference and the design of your binder. If you go for a sewn binding, you will need to punch multiple holes in each card and use a needle and thread to sew them together.

Customisation

You can further customise your binder by adding decorations to the cover. This could include scrapbook paper, stickers, or even leftover decorations from your wedding. Embellishments such as ribbons or bows can also add a special touch to your binder.

Remember to consider the size of your cards, the number of cards you want to include, and the overall aesthetic you are aiming for when choosing a binder for your wedding card keepsake book.

Using a book-binding technique

Step 1: Choose your cards and sort them

Select the wedding cards you want to include in your book. You can choose to include only the cards or add other mementos such as handwritten letters or postcards. Sort the cards by size and then shuffle them to ensure a good mix of small and large cards throughout the book.

Step 2: Prepare the cards for binding

Arrange the cards to form a flat spine. You may need to trim some cards to ensure they fit within the book and don't protrude. Use a template to mark where the holes will go for binding. Punch or cut holes in the cards—you'll need at least three holes for flat cards and four for cards with a vertical fold.

Step 3: Bind the cards together

You can bind the cards using a variety of methods, such as ribbon, book-binding rings, or thread. If using ribbon or thread, ensure it is long enough to wrap around your cards and tie a bow. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end, then sew the cards together, starting from the bottom hole and working your way up. Ensure the cards are tight against each other as you sew.

Step 4: Create the book cover

Measure the largest card to determine the size of your book cover. Add some extra width and height to accommodate the spine and ensure a good fit. Cut out a piece of cardboard or chipboard to size and cover it with fabric or paper of your choice, gluing it down smoothly and neatly. You can decorate the cover with ribbons, stickers, or other embellishments.

Step 5: Assemble the book

Place your stack of bound cards inside the cover. You can either keep them as a separate stack, or glue the cards into the spine of the cover. If gluing, ensure you don't glue any cards shut.

Step 6: Finish and secure the book

Add a decorative ribbon to tie the book shut, gluing it to the front cover. You can also add a title or decoration to the spine. Place the book under a heavy weight until the glue is completely dry.

Creating a cover

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need the following supplies:

• Cardboard or chipboard for the cover base.
• Fabric or decorative paper to cover the cardboard.
• Ribbon, lace, or twine for embellishment.
• Scissors or a paper cutter.
• Glue or a glue gun.
• Ruler or measuring tape.
• Pencil for marking.

Step 2: Prepare the Base

Measure the size of your wedding cards to determine the dimensions of your book cover. Add a small allowance, approximately 1/4" to 1/2", on all sides to ensure the cards fit comfortably.

Using the measurements, cut out three pieces of cardboard for the front cover, back cover, and spine. If you are repurposing an old book cover, you can use that as your base and simply recover it with new fabric or paper.

Step 3: Cut and Adhere the Fabric or Paper

Place your chosen fabric or decorative paper face down on a flat surface. Position the cardboard pieces on top, leaving a gap of approximately 1" around each piece. Cut the fabric to size, cutting the corners at an angle to avoid bulk when wrapping.

Apply glue to the edges of the cardboard and carefully attach the fabric, smoothing out any air bubbles as you go. Ensure the fabric is pulled taut to achieve a wrinkle-free finish.

Step 4: Add Embellishments

Embellish the cover with ribbon, lace, or twine to give it a stylish touch. You can wrap the ribbon around the book, creating an elegant spine, or use it to create a decorative border. Secure the ribbon with a small amount of glue, ensuring it lies flat and neat.

Step 5: Finalize the Inside

Cut cardstock to size and adhere it to the inside of the cover, creating a neat finish and concealing any raw edges of fabric. You can also add a pocket to the inside cover, perfect for holding small mementos or additional cards.

Step 6: Personalize

Now comes the fun part—decorating the cover! You can use scrapbook paper, stickers, or leftover embellishments from your wedding. Consider using a beautiful wedding card as the centrepiece of your design, or print a custom design onto cardstock.

Your wedding card keepsake book cover is now complete! You can further personalize it by adding your names and wedding date, or any other meaningful details. This project is a wonderful way to preserve your wedding cards and create a cherished memento of your special day.

Adding decorations

Choose your decorative elements:

• Select decorative papers, fabrics, or wrapping papers that complement your wedding colours and theme. Consider using two different sheets of paper or fabric for the outside cover and another two for the lining.
• Opt for embellishments such as stickers, scrapbook ephemera, or leftover wedding decorations like bride and groom cupcake toppers.
• Include ribbons, either plain or decorative, to add a stylish touch to your book.
• Utilise cardstock to create a personalised design for the front cover or to add lining to the inside of the book for a neat finish.

Decorating the cover:

• Measure and cut your chosen fabric or paper for the cover, leaving a buffer of approximately 1-2 inches on each side.
• If desired, cut the corners of the fabric or paper at a 45-degree angle to create neat and crisp corners when folded over the book board.
• Glue the cover material to the book board, working quickly as the glue can dry fast. Start by gluing the top and bottom, then the sides, ensuring the corners are aligned for a uniform look.
• Smooth out any air bubbles using a bone folder or similar tool.
• Decorate the cover with your chosen embellishments, stickers, or leftover wedding decorations.

Adding lining and final touches:

• Measure and cut cardstock to create lining for the inside of the book. Slide the inner edge under the metal binder rings or glue it in place, ensuring it folds neatly when the book is closed.
• Add any final decorative touches, such as a ribbon to tie the book closed or a personalised design on the front cover using cardstock, a wedding card, or a printed design.

Remember to have fun with the process and let your creativity flow!

Final touches

Now that you've bound your wedding cards together, it's time to add the final touches to your keepsake book! Here are some ideas to make it look neat and presentable:

Cover the spine

Since the cards are not all the same height, the spine will be visible at the top and bottom of your book. Cut pieces of cardstock or paper that match the endleafs to fit directly on top of the spine. This will give your book a polished look and cover any gaps.

Add a ribbon

Measure a ribbon that will wrap around your card stack with some left over to tie a bow. Glue the centre of the ribbon to the front cover of your book. Once the glue is dry, wrap the ribbon around the book and tie a cute bow to keep it closed. You can also glue the back of the ribbon to secure it in place.

Decorate the cover

Decorate the cover of your book to match your wedding theme or colours. You can use scrapbook paper, stickers, leftover wedding decorations, or even a beautiful wedding card. Get creative and make it personal!

Add lining to the inside

Measure and cut a piece of paper or fabric to line the inside of your book. This will give it a neat and crisp finish. Slide the inner edge under the binder rings or glue it in place, making sure to fold it along the same line as the binder. This will ensure that the lining stays intact when you open and close your book.

Once you're happy with the outside of your book, it's time to fill it with your wedding cards! You can add other mementos as well, such as handwritten letters, postcards, or even a copy of your wedding invitation. Your wedding card keepsake book will be a treasured reminder of your special day for years to come.

Frequently asked questions