Creating A Wedding Thumbprint Tree: A Guide

A wedding thumbprint tree is a creative alternative to a traditional guest book. It involves a large-scale illustration of a tree with branches, and each guest is encouraged to stamp their thumbprint or fingerprint in ink on it as a leaf. Guests can also sign their names beside their leaf. The final outcome is a beautiful, personal piece of artwork for the newlyweds to enjoy and display in their home. You can either buy a wedding thumbprint tree or make one yourself.

Choosing a design: tree, balloons, bicycle, etc

The beauty of choosing a thumbprint tree as your wedding guestbook is that you are not limited to a tree design. While a tree is a beautiful metaphor for the print that your friends and family make on your life, you can choose to incorporate balloons (or, more specifically, the strings that are tied to the balloons) into the design. Guests' fingerprints then become the balloons.

A bunch of balloons works well tied to a bicycle, carrying a house through the air, or being held by the bride and groom. You could also have print spaces in the form of flying birds, dainty hearts or pretty stars in the sky.

If you love the idea of a thumbprint tree but would like a bespoke version or an alternative to a tree, you could opt for a balloon-festooned bicycle, for instance.

Printing the template

There are several ways to go about printing a template for your wedding thumbprint tree. You can either buy a template online or create your own.

If you're looking for a simple, cost-effective option, consider purchasing a template from websites such as Etsy, OneFabDay, or FamilyTreeTemplates. These templates are often available in PDF or editable DOC formats and can be downloaded and printed at home or sent to a professional printer. Some websites also offer customisation options, allowing you to add your names, wedding date, and other personal touches.

On the other hand, if you're feeling creative and want to design your own thumbprint tree, you can start by downloading a basic tree image and opening it in an image editing program. You can then zoom out, as the file tends to be quite large, and add your text in the desired colour and font size. Remember to save your customised design as a new file before sending it to print.

When it comes to printing, you can either use a professional printing service or do it yourself at home. If you opt for professional printing, you can create a high-quality printout, especially if you want your artwork in a large format like A3. However, this option may come with additional costs. Alternatively, if you have access to a good quality home printer, you can print the template yourself, ensuring you have the correct paper size and type for the best results.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create a beautiful and personalised wedding thumbprint tree that your guests can add their unique touch to.

Framing the tree

The wedding thumbprint tree is a fun and creative alternative to a traditional guest book. It is a beautiful keepsake and a piece of art that the newlyweds can frame and hang on their wall. To create this unique memento, you will need to consider the following framing options and steps:

Firstly, decide whether you want to purchase a ready-made frame or create a handmade one. Ready-made frames are easily accessible and cost-effective, while a handmade frame can add a personal touch to your artwork. If you're on a budget, IKEA offers affordable frames, such as the Ribba frame, which can be a temporary option to protect your artwork during the wedding.

When choosing a frame, consider the size of your tree. For smaller weddings, an A4 frame will be sufficient, while larger weddings may require an A3 frame to accommodate more fingerprints. Ensure that the frame has a removable glass or clear plastic front. This will allow guests to add their fingerprints directly to the tree without the risk of smudging.

Before the wedding, assemble the frame without the glass to protect the edges of the paper from rolling up or getting damaged. You can position the framed artwork on an easel or tabletop, making it easily accessible to your guests. Provide clear instructions and supervise this activity to prevent any accidental smudges or messes.

After all, the guests have added their fingerprints and signed their names, you can carefully put the glass back into the frame. This will protect the artwork from any further smudges or damage. Your wedding thumbprint tree is now ready to be displayed and cherished as a unique memento of your special day.

By framing your wedding thumbprint tree, you will not only preserve the artwork but also create a beautiful display for your home, reminding you of the love and presence of your family and friends on your wedding day.

Choosing ink pads and/or pens

When choosing ink pads and/or pens for your wedding thumbprint tree, there are several factors to consider to ensure the best results and a long-lasting memento.

For ink pads, opt for fast-drying, archival inks that will stand the test of time without fading or smudging. You can find these online or at most craft stores, and they come in a variety of colours. If you want to coordinate with your wedding palette, choose one or two colours, or opt for multiple shades to create a vibrant artwork.

If you're providing pens for guests to sign their names, ensure they are acid-free with archival-quality, pigment inks. Select fast-drying, fade-proof, and non-bleeding pens so that the signatures remain clear and legible over time. Test the pens on a scrap piece of paper first to ensure they meet your expectations, and don't forget to test them over the printed ink if guests will be signing on top of their fingerprints.

It's also a good idea to have a few fine-nibbed, good-quality black pens as a backup. This ensures that guests don't use an unsightly colour that might detract from the overall aesthetic of your thumbprint tree.

Supervising the fingerprint artwork is recommended to prevent any accidental smudges or messes, especially from children or tipsy guests!

Setting up on the day

On the day of the wedding, you'll want to set up your fingerprint tree at the entrance to the dining area. This way, you can invite guests to add their thumbprints as they come in for the wedding breakfast, and you won't have to worry about anyone forgetting.

You'll need to find a table to display your tree. If you have an easel, you can set up your tree on that, or you can simply lay it flat on a table. If you've framed your tree without the glass, it should be safe from getting damaged or dirty. However, you may want to keep it supervised, especially if there are children or intoxicated guests who might accidentally smudge the ink. Ask an usher or a member of the wedding staff to keep an eye on it.

Make sure you have everything set up before guests arrive. You'll need your tree, ink pads, pens, baby wipes, and a bin. You might also want to have some extra sheets of paper or a notepad for guests to test out the ink and pens before they add their fingerprints to the tree.

Once everyone has added their fingerprints, you can put the glass or plastic back into the frame to keep it protected until you're ready to hang it up.

Frequently asked questions