A Wooden Heart: Crafting A Wedding Guest Book

A wooden heart wedding guest book is a fun and creative way to commemorate your wedding day and the loved ones who shared it with you. This unique guest book alternative involves having guests sign small wooden hearts with their names, wishes, and messages of advice. The hearts are then placed into a frame, creating a beautiful keepsake that can be displayed in your home. This DIY project is easy to put together and can be customized to fit your wedding theme and colour palette. You can also choose to add a stand to display the frame on a table or hang it on a wall as a decorative ornament.

Choosing a frame

Size of the Frame

The size of the frame will depend on the number of guests you expect at your wedding. A larger number of guests will require a bigger frame to accommodate all the wooden hearts. As a general guideline, aim for a frame that can hold approximately 100 hearts for every 100 guests. This will ensure that each guest has enough space to write their name, wishes, or a short message.

Proportion to the Number of Wooden Hearts

When choosing the size of your frame, keep in mind that the two should be proportional. The more hearts you plan to include, the bigger the frame should be. This ensures that the guest book looks cohesive and aesthetically pleasing. A frame that is too small for the number of hearts will appear cluttered, while a frame that is too large may look sparse and unbalanced.

Design and Style

Frames come in various designs and styles, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your wedding theme or personal taste. You can opt for a simple, elegant frame or choose a rustic or decorative frame with intricate details. Consider if you want the frame to blend seamlessly with your home decor or stand out as a statement piece.

Material

The material of the frame is an important consideration, as it will impact the overall look and durability of your guest book. Common materials include wood, metal, or plastic. Wood frames offer a classic and natural aesthetic, while metal frames provide a more modern or industrial feel. Plastic frames are lightweight and can be more affordable, but may not be as durable as other options.

Colour

When selecting a frame colour, consider the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve. Neutral colours like black, white, or wood tones are versatile and can complement any wedding theme or home decor. Alternatively, you may choose a colour that matches your wedding colour palette or a shade that holds special significance for you and your partner.

Customisation Options

If you wish to add a personal touch to your guest book, consider choosing a frame that offers customisation options. This could include engraving your names and wedding date, adding a meaningful quote, or incorporating decorative elements that reflect your style. Customisation elevates the guest book, making it a cherished keepsake.

Buying wooden hearts

When buying wooden hearts for your wedding guest book, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to think about the size of the hearts—smaller hearts might be better if you're expecting a large number of guests, as this will ensure that all of their well-wishes can fit inside your guest book frame. You can find small wooden hearts in a variety of sizes, ranging from as tiny as 0.5 inches to larger sizes such as 2 or 3 inches. The number of hearts you'll need will depend on the number of guests, so be sure to buy enough!

Another thing to consider is whether you want the wooden hearts to be blank or engraved. Blank hearts can be purchased from craft stores or online and can be decorated or personalised as you wish. You can also buy pre-engraved wooden hearts with messages or designs, which can add a special touch to your guest book. Some sellers even offer personalised engraving services, allowing you to add your names, the wedding date, or any other custom details.

When purchasing wooden hearts, you may also want to think about the colour and finish. Wooden hearts come in a variety of shades, from light to dark wood, and some are even painted white. You can also choose between unfinished wood or hearts that have been pre-treated with a varnish or stain. If you plan to decorate the hearts yourself, choosing unfinished wood will ensure that your chosen paints or markers will adhere properly.

Finally, you'll want to consider the thickness of the wooden hearts. Thicker hearts, around 1/2 inch or more, will be more durable and have a substantial feel to them. However, thinner hearts can also be used and may be more lightweight and easier to display. Ultimately, the thickness you choose will depend on your personal preference and the overall aesthetic you're aiming for.

Preparing the hearts for signing

Once you have the desired number of wooden hearts, you can decide whether you want to leave them as they are or add some customization. One idea is to use a Silhouette CAMEO to cut out your and your partner's names, as well as your wedding date, from frosted vinyl, and stick them onto the hearts. This adds a personal touch and makes the guest book even more special.

Another option is to use hot glue to attach the wooden hearts to a backing, such as a piece of cardboard or foam board. This creates a stable base for the hearts and ensures that they stay in place. You can arrange the hearts in any pattern or design you like, such as a natural, haphazard arrangement, or a more structured layout.

If you choose to glue the hearts to a backing, be sure to let them dry completely before moving on to the next step. You can then place the signed hearts into a frame, creating a beautiful keepsake that you can display in your home. Alternatively, you can provide a pretty jar or box for guests to drop their signed hearts into, and then arrange them into a frame after the wedding.

Presenting the guest book to guests

Presenting the guest book to your guests is an important part of your wedding day. Here are some ideas and tips to ensure it goes smoothly:

Setting up the Guest Book Table:

• Choose a table close to the entrance of your wedding venue so that guests can sign it as they arrive.
• Decorate the table with flowers, photos, or other items that fit your wedding theme.
• Include a sign that instructs guests to sign the guest book and perhaps a note about what they should write (e.g., their names, a message, etc.).
• Provide pens or markers in a colour that fits your theme. You could also provide different coloured pens to make the guest book more vibrant.

During the Wedding:

• Assign someone to be in charge of the guest book table. This person can ensure that guests are signing the book and can answer any questions.
• If you are having an outdoor wedding or a wedding at a venue that gets a lot of wind, consider weighting down the guest book with a small decorative item to prevent it from blowing away.
• If you are using a non-traditional guest book, such as wooden hearts, provide a container for guests to place their completed item in. For example, a glass apothecary jar or box.

After the Wedding:

• If you used a non-traditional guest book that requires assembly, such as wooden hearts that need to be glued into a frame, set aside time to put it together. This can be a fun post-wedding activity to do with your partner or bridal party.
• Display your guest book in your home as a reminder of your special day and the loved ones who celebrated with you.

Remember, the guest book is a keepsake and a way to remember all the loved ones who attended your wedding. Presenting it to your guests in a thoughtful and organised way will ensure that you get meaningful messages to cherish for years to come.

Assembling the guest book after the wedding

Once your wedding is over, it's time to assemble your wooden heart guest book! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Wooden Hearts

First, you will need to collect all the wooden hearts that your guests have signed. If you have provided a container for guests to drop their hearts into, simply empty the container and sort through the hearts. If you have a lot of guests, it is a good idea to provide two containers to avoid overcrowding.

Step 2: Sort and Review the Wooden Hearts

Before assembling the guest book, take some time to review the messages and well wishes written on the wooden hearts. This is a beautiful way to relive your special day and appreciate the love and support of your family and friends. You can also use this opportunity to sort the hearts based on any specific design or arrangement you have in mind. For example, you might want to group similar messages together or create a colour-coordinated display if your guests used different ink colours.

Step 3: Prepare the Frame

Now it's time to prepare the frame that will hold your wooden hearts. You can purchase a shadow box frame or a display frame with a glass front, ensuring it is large enough to accommodate the number of hearts you have. Remove the back of the frame and lay it on a flat surface. If your frame comes with a backing board, you can use this as a base for arranging the hearts before securing them.

Step 4: Arrange the Wooden Hearts

Start placing the wooden hearts on the backing board or directly onto the frame. You can arrange them in a variety of ways, such as in a natural, haphazard arrangement, or in a more structured pattern. Play around with the layout until you find an arrangement that you like. If you're feeling creative, you can even try forming words or shapes with the hearts.

Step 5: Secure the Wooden Hearts

Once you are happy with the arrangement, it's time to secure the wooden hearts in place. Using a small amount of hot glue on the back of each heart, carefully press them onto the backing board or the frame. Allow the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Finalize and Display Your Guest Book

After the glue has dried, carefully place the backing board into the frame, if you have one. Your wooden heart guest book is now ready! You can display it on a table or shelf, or hang it on a wall as a decorative keepsake of your wedding day.

Feel free to add any additional decorative elements, such as stickers or vinyl cut-outs with your names and wedding date, to further personalize your guest book. This unique guest book will be a constant reminder of the love and joy shared on your special day!

Frequently asked questions