Crafting An Explosion Of Love: Wedding Explosion Box Diy

A wedding explosion box is a fun and unique way to invite people to your wedding or to give as a gift. It's a handmade gift idea that looks like a normal box from the outside, but when the lid is removed, the layers explode to reveal photos, notes, and other decorations inside. Making an explosion box is not as hard as it seems and can be a great way to preserve and share your favourite memories.

How to cut and layer the cardstock

To make a wedding explosion box, you will need multiple pieces of cardstock in different sizes. For the bottom of the box, you will need three pieces of cardstock, labelled Layer C, Layer B, and Layer A. For the lid, you will need one additional piece of cardstock. The sizes for each are as follows:

• Layer C (1) 12”x12”
• Layer B (1) 11 1/2”x11 1/2”
• Layer A (1) 11”x11”
• Lid (1) 6 1/8”x6 1/8”

To cut and layer the cardstock, follow these steps:

First, lay out your cardstock pieces on your work surface with the patterned side facing down. Using a pencil and ruler, measure 4 inches from the edges of each piece and create a grid pattern. Score the lines you have created using a scoring tool or a pen and ruler. The shaded region will be the pieces you cut away, leaving a "plus" shape. Cut away these pieces. Keep the extra pieces, as you will use them later to hide the white side of the cardstock.

Next, apply glue to the middle white square of Layers A and B. Layer the pieces on top of each other, with Layer C on the bottom, followed by Layer B, and then Layer A on top. Take your extra pieces and apply them to the white parts on the backs of all the flaps to cover the visible white squares. For the smaller flaps, you will need to resize the pieces to fit.

Now, you can attach your photos or invitations to the flaps using glue. You can also add decorations such as stickers, ribbons, or other scrapbooking supplies to make it unique.

Finally, assemble the lid. Take the remaining piece of cardstock (6 1/8” x 6 1/8”) and measure one inch on all sides to create a grid. Use a ruler to connect the corners of the grid and create diagonal lines in the four corner boxes. Score the lines and fold them up. Apply glue to one of the triangles in the corner, as well as the fold on the outside, and push it together to form a corner of the lid. Repeat this process for the other three corners. Your lid is now complete!

How to assemble the box

To assemble the box, you will need 4 pieces of cardstock in the following sizes: Layer C (1) 12”x12”, Layer B (1) 11 1/2”x11 1/2”, Layer A (1) 11”x11”, and The Lid (1) 6 1/8”x6 1/8”. You will also need a glue stick, a hot glue gun, a votive candle, silk/fake rose petals, a glass votive holder, a paper scoring tool, various photos sized 2.75”x3”, and wedding-themed scrapbooking stickers.

Take the A, B, and C pieces of cardstock and lay them out on your work surface with the pattern side facing down. Measure 4 inches from the edges of each piece and create a grid pattern. Score the lines you created using your scoring tool or a pen and ruler. Cut away the shaded regions, leaving a “+” shape. Apply glue to the middle square of layers A and B, and layer the pieces on top of each other, with C on the bottom, B in the middle, and A on the top.

To make the lid, take the 6 1/8” x 6 1/8” piece of cardstock and measure an inch on all sides to make a grid. Use a ruler to create diagonal lines in the 4 corner boxes. Score and fold along these lines. Apply glue to one of the triangles in the corner, as well as the fold on the outside, and push together. Repeat for the other 3 corners.

Now, assemble the candle votive for the centre of the box. Put some hot glue inside the glass votive holder and push in the silk flower petals so they stay in place. Apply hot glue to the bottom of the candle and place it in the middle of the flower petals. Place the finished candle votive in the middle square of your explosion box.

Finally, decorate the box as desired, adding pictures, notes, and embellishments. When finished, gather up the sides of the box and place the lid on top.

How to make the lid

To make the lid of your explosion box, you will need a piece of cardstock measuring 6 1/8” x 6 1/8”. First, measure an inch on all sides and make a grid. Then, use a ruler to create diagonal lines in the 4 corner boxes, going from one corner of the box to the other. You should now have a grid with 4 corner boxes with diagonal lines.

The next step is to score all the lines you have made, and then fold the paper up along the lines. Apply glue to one of the triangles in the corner and the fold on the outside, and push together. Repeat this process for the other 3 corners, and your lid will be assembled. The flaps should now be holding up the lid, and you can place it on top of the box.

You can now decorate the box as you like, adding pictures, notes, and other embellishments. When you are finished, gather up the sides of the box, folding in any extra pieces of paper towards the centre, and place the lid on top.

How to decorate the box

Once you have assembled the box, you can decorate it as you wish. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Outer Decoration

You could cut lace-patterned card to fit the outer sides of the box and attach it using double-sided adhesive tape. You could also cut out hearts in different sizes and colours (gold, glitter, lace, off-white) to stick onto the outside of the box.

Inner Decoration

Print out photos of the happy couple to stick on the inside of the box. You could also add interactive elements, such as a strip of cardstock folded accordion-style with small photos, or a strip of printed cardstock folded around old photos and tied with twine. You could also add notes, scrapbooking stickers, and premade notecards.

Lid Decoration

Cut a piece of card to fit the inside of the box lid. Make holes in the card and feed pieces of gold thread through the holes. Glue punched-out hearts in pairs to the end of each piece of gold thread. You could also add decorations such as glitter paper and rhinestones.

How to fill the box

Now that you have your explosion box assembled, it's time to fill it with fun and thoughtful surprises for the happy couple. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Photos

Add some special photos of the couple to the box. You can cut the photos to fit the different layers of the box, or even create interactive elements like a strip of cardstock folded accordion-style with small photos of the couple. You can also include photos of their families, pets, or significant locations to add a personal touch.

Notes and Messages

Write some heartfelt notes or messages to the couple. These can be words of wisdom, funny stories, or simply expressions of your happiness for them. You can hide these messages within the different layers of the box, or even create small scrolls tied with ribbon for the couple to uncover.

Poems or Quotes

Include some romantic poems or meaningful quotes that reflect the beauty of marriage and the love between the couple. You can write these on decorative cards or paper, perhaps with some added glitter or rhinestones for a touch of elegance.

Small Gifts or Mementos

Surprise the couple with small gifts or mementos that they can cherish. This could be something symbolic, like a personalised key ring, a small piece of jewellery, or a token that represents their shared interests. You could also include a small present that relates to their honeymoon destination or future plans.

Menu Card or Place Settings

If you're creating the explosion box as part of the wedding decor, consider including a menu card or place settings within the box. This adds a unique and interactive element to the wedding table, and the guests can enjoy discovering the surprises within the box.

Song Lyrics or Music

Add a musical touch to the explosion box by including the lyrics to a meaningful song for the couple. You could also include a small music box or a paper with a link to a special playlist they can enjoy together.

Remember, the key is to be creative and personalise the box to suit the couple's interests and style. The more thoughtful and tailored the surprises are, the more memorable the explosion box will be.

Frequently asked questions