Creating A Wedding Wishing Well: A Guide To Card Wells

A wedding wishing well is a fun and creative way to collect cash, gift cards, or small gifts from your wedding guests. It is an increasingly popular alternative to a traditional gift registry, especially for couples who already live together and have all the homeware they need. In this article, we will discuss how to make a wishing well for wedding cards, with tips on design, placement, and stationery.

Choosing a Wishing Well Design: Go for a decorative box, basket, or something creative like a mailbox

When choosing a wishing well design, you can opt for a decorative box or basket, or get creative with something like a mailbox. The design you choose can be as simple or as elaborate as you like and can be personalised to match your wedding theme.

If you're looking for something simple, a box or basket is a great option. You can purchase or make your own decorative box, customising it to your liking. For a more creative approach, you could design a wishing well in the shape of a mailbox, a treasure chest, or even a well!

If you're handy with a glue gun, you can make your own wishing well from a wicker basket, cardboard tubes, and flat pieces of cardboard. This option allows you to decorate the wishing well however you like and is a fun, crafty project.

For those short on time or crafting skills, you can purchase a ready-made wishing well. Etsy is a great place to search for unique and creative options, such as wishing well mailboxes.

Ultimately, the design you choose should reflect your personal style and the theme of your wedding. Whether you decide on a simple box or a creative mailbox, your wishing well is sure to be a charming addition to your special day.

Stationery: Create special stationery to explain the purpose of your wishing well to guests

Special Stationery for Your Wedding Wishing Well

A wedding wishing well is a fun and creative way to collect cash, gift cards, or small gifts from your guests. It's particularly useful if you're already settled into your home and don't need traditional gifts like kitchenware or bed linen.

Include a Separate Card with Your Wedding Invitation

A separate card dedicated to explaining the wishing well is a great idea. This way, your guests will understand the concept and how it works. You can include a poem or a personal message about what you intend to do with the money given. If you're unsure about what to write, your wedding stationery supplier can provide generic wording.

Dispel Any Discomfort with Donation Amounts

It's important to state that there is no expected minimum donation amount. You can gently assure your guests that you will be happy and grateful for any amount they feel comfortable giving.

Send a Thank You Card After the Wedding

It's a thoughtful gesture to send a thank you card to your guests after the wedding, acknowledging their contributions. You can specify what the money was used for, whether it was for your honeymoon, a down payment on a house, or something else entirely. Include a picture if it was used to buy something special for your home. If it's going towards a big-ticket item, like a house, you could even invite your guests to a housewarming once you move in!

Wishing Well Location: Place the well in a discreet corner of the reception venue

The wedding wishing well is a fun way to collect gifts, cards and money from guests without making it seem like you are asking for money. It is a great alternative to a traditional wedding registry.

When setting up your wishing well, consider placing it in a discreet corner of the reception venue. This way, guests can easily access it and drop off their envelopes without causing a distraction or cluttering up the main gift table.

A small table in the corner can be a perfect spot for your wishing well. Decorate the table with a nice tablecloth and perhaps some flowers or other decorations that match your wedding theme. This will create a beautiful and designated space for your wishing well.

If you are using a large vessel for your wishing well, such as a basket or box, make sure it is sturdy and secure so that guests can safely drop off their envelopes. You could also consider placing a small sign next to the well, explaining to guests what it is for and that it is an option for those who wish to participate.

By placing your wishing well in a discreet corner, you can ensure that it is easily accessible to guests while also respecting the traditional etiquette of not making demands or expectations for gifts.

Guest Donations: Leave blank cards, envelopes, and pens for guests to write their wishes

If you're planning to have a wishing well at your wedding, it's a good idea to leave blank cards, envelopes, and pens for your guests to write their wishes. This way, they can contribute to your special day with monetary gifts or other small gifts, such as recipe cards, kitchen utensils, or linens. Here are some tips to set up a guest donation station:

Choose a Theme

You can decorate your wishing well to match the theme of your wedding. For example, if your wedding colours are pink and white, decorate the well with pink and white festoonery. Alternatively, if you and your partner are fans of a particular sports team, you can style the well with the team's colours.

Include an Explanation

It's a good idea to include a separate card in your wedding invitations to explain the concept of the wishing well to your guests. You can write a cute poem or a simple phrase to convey your request for monetary gifts instead of traditional gifts. Here's an example:

> "Your presence at our wedding is a gift in itself. However, if you would like to contribute to our future together as a couple, a wishing well will be available at our reception."

Specify How You'll Use the Money

It's essential to specify how you plan to use the cash gifts to make your guests feel more comfortable. For example, you can mention that you intend to use the money for your honeymoon or to save for a future purchase, such as a new home. This way, your guests will know that their contributions are going towards something meaningful.

Provide a Visible Space for the Wishing Well

At the wedding venue, allocate a visible space for your wishing well. You can decorate this area with a clear and nicely designed sign to make it easily identifiable for your guests.

Be Grateful for All Contributions

Remember that it's up to your guests to decide how much they want to give, and you should be grateful for any amount they donate. Don't forget to send out thank-you cards and, if possible, update your wedding website or social media to show how you utilised the donations. For example, you can share pictures of your honeymoon or the new home you were able to purchase with their help.

Thank You Cards: After the wedding, send thank you cards to acknowledge your guests' contributions

A bridal shower wishing well is a great way to collect cash, gift cards, or other small gifts from your wedding guests. It can be a simple basket, a decorative box, or something that matches the theme of your wedding. If you're handy with crafts, you can even make your own!

Now, onto the thank-you cards. After the wedding, it's important to express your gratitude by sending thank-you notes to your guests. Here are some tips and examples to help you get started:

Tips for Writing Thank-You Cards:

• Handwrite your notes. It's more personal and shows that you took the time to write a thoughtful message.
• Prepare everything in advance. Choose a thank-you card design that represents you as a couple and treat yourself to a nice pen.
• Use discretion when acknowledging cash gifts. You may choose to mention the amount, but it's not required. Instead, focus on how you plan to use the money.
• Send thank-you cards promptly. For gifts received before the wedding, send thank-you notes within two weeks. For gifts received after the wedding, aim to send them within three months.
• Address the cards properly. You can use first names and don't need to include formal titles.

Thank-You Card Examples:

• For guests who bought a gift from your registry: "Thank you so much for the [gift]. We now have a complete set and we can't wait to use it. Thank you again for thinking of us!"
• For monetary gifts: "We are so grateful for your generous gift. We're one step closer to our dream kitchen remodel. It was wonderful to have you celebrate with us. We hope to see you again soon!"
• For gift cards: "Thank you so much for the [store name] gift card. We are excited to pick out something special. It was great to celebrate with you, and we hope to see you again soon!"
• For guests who didn't give a gift: "We are so thankful you joined us at our wedding. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of our special day. It was wonderful to see you, and we hope to catch up soon!"

Frequently asked questions