Creative Diy Wedding Favors: Crafting Personalized Bookmarks

Wedding favours are a great way to thank your guests for attending your wedding and celebrating with you. Bookmarks are a unique and fun way to do this, especially if you and your partner are bookworms. You can make them personal by adding your wedding date, a cute quote, or even your initials.

You can make your bookmarks from cardstock, leather, bamboo, acrylic, or wood. You can also add charms, tassels, or twine to make them more special. If you want to save money, you can make them yourself, but they are also available to buy on Etsy and Amazon.

Bookmark design and materials

The design and materials of your wedding favour bookmarks will depend on your personal preferences, the theme of your wedding, and your budget. Here are some ideas and options to consider:

Materials

• Paper or cardstock: You can use coloured or plain paper, or cardstock for a more durable option. Consider using vintage book pages for a unique and rustic look.
• Wood: Wooden bookmarks can be engraved with a custom message or design. They are a more durable option and can be paired with a tassel for an elegant touch.
• Metal: Metal bookmarks are long-lasting and can be engraved or embossed with designs.
• Leather: Leather bookmarks are a luxurious option and can be personalised with names, dates, or quotes.
• Acrylic: Clear acrylic bookmarks can be customised with engravings or photos.

Designs

• Quotes or verses: Consider including a meaningful quote, Bible verse, or excerpt from a favourite book on the bookmark.
• Personalisation: Add a personal touch with your initials, wedding date, or a thank-you message to your guests.
• Tassels or charms: Embellish your bookmarks with tassels, ribbons, or small charms to make them more decorative.
• Nature-inspired themes: If you're having a forest-themed wedding, consider bookmarks with nature-inspired designs, such as leaves, flowers, or animals.
• Literary themes: For a literary-themed wedding, you can reference your favourite books or authors, or include punny text related to reading.
• Colours: Choose colours that complement your wedding theme or match your wedding colours.

When designing your bookmarks, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and try to tie it into the overall theme of your wedding. You can also offer a variety of bookmark designs to cater to different tastes and interests.

Bookmark assembly

First, gather your supplies. Choose cardstock, twine, and book pages that complement each other. For a vintage look, select discoloured book pages with letterpress printing. Pre-measure the size of the book page needed to fit your design.

Next, design your bookmark and sleeve. You can use a paper cutter, hole punch, and scissors, or a digital craft-cutting machine for a more intricate cut. Create a template for the book pages and cut them out. Adhere the book pages to the bookmarks with permanent tape or double-sided tape.

After that, adhere the sleeve to the bookmarks, ensuring the edges are covered. Cut your twine to the desired length and tie on your charms.

Finally, invite your friends over for a bookmark assembly party! Set up an assembly line with different stations for cutting, adhering, and tying to speed up the process.

Bookmark personalisation

There are many ways to personalise your wedding bookmarks, from adding photos to including literary quotes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Materials

You can personalise your bookmarks with specific materials that hold significance for you and your partner. For example, you could choose a particular type of wood, such as bamboo or alder, or opt for leather or metal. You could also add charms, tassels, or twine in colours that match your wedding theme.

Quotes

Including a favourite quote, verse, or poem on your bookmark is a great way to personalise it. This could be a literary quote or something more personal, like your wedding vows. You could also add a cute message, such as "Thank you for celebrating our next chapter."

Photos

Adding a photo to your bookmark is a lovely way to personalise it and could be a great keepsake for your guests. You could include a photo of you and your partner, or a picture from your wedding.

Names and dates

Including your names and wedding date on the bookmark is a simple but effective way to personalise it. You could also add a special message, such as "Ransom & Lisbeth Poythress – June 2015."

Design

You can personalise the design of your bookmark to match your wedding theme or your interests. For example, you could choose a particular font or add flourishes and embellishments. If you're having a rustic wedding, you might want to incorporate twine or a tassel.

Packaging

You can also personalise the packaging of your bookmarks. For example, you could create a custom sleeve with a thank-you message or include a small gift, like a charm or a dried flower.

Bookmark weight and size

The standard bookmark size is typically 2 inches wide and 8 inches long. However, you can customise the size of your wedding favour bookmarks to fit your chosen design and materials. For example, if you're using cardstock, you may want to opt for a slightly larger size to accommodate more intricate designs. Thicker cardstock will also add durability to your bookmarks.

When creating custom bookmarks, it's important to follow specific template guidelines to ensure your design fits perfectly and no important elements are cut off during printing or trimming. The average dimensions for bookmarks typically range from 2 by 6 inches to 2.5 by 7 inches. This provides a comfortable and practical size, allowing bookmarks to fit easily within most books without causing overhang or being too small to handle.

The standard measurements for bookmarks are optimised for functionality and aesthetics, ensuring they are visible when in use without overwhelming the pages of the book. The vertical dimension of a typical bookmark ranges from 2 to 3 inches in width and 6 to 8 inches in length. This provides enough space for text, images, or designs while remaining convenient for handling and storage.

When creating your wedding favour bookmarks, consider the purpose and where they will be used. For example, a larger size might be suitable for a coffee table book, while a smaller one could work better for novels or textbooks. You can make your bookmarks as long or as wide as you like, and even add tassels or ribbons for a unique touch.

Bookmark cost

The cost of making bookmarks for wedding favors can vary depending on the materials used and the number of bookmarks required. Here is a breakdown of the costs involved:

Materials:

• Cardstock: $24 for 100 sheets.
• Vintage book: $12.
• Twine: $15.
• Charms: $33.50 for 200 charms.
• Adhesive: $15 for 5 tapes.
• Other materials: Depending on the design and style of the bookmark, additional materials such as ribbon, paper, or metal may be needed. These costs can vary widely depending on the quantity and quality.

Labor:

If you plan to make the bookmarks yourself, consider the time and effort required. The complexity of the design and the number of bookmarks will impact the time spent. You may also want to factor in the cost of using a craft-cutting machine, such as a Silhouette machine, which can range from $100 to $300.

Etsy Options:

Etsy offers a wide range of wedding bookmark favors, with prices varying based on the material, quantity, and level of customization. Simple paper or cardboard bookmarks can start at $0.44 per piece, while more intricate designs with charms or tassels can range from $1 to $10 or more. For example, a set of 25 literary wedding bookmarks with a quote and tassel is priced at $39.37. Etsy also offers bulk discounts, so purchasing a larger quantity may result in a lower per-piece cost.

Amazon Options:

Amazon offers a variety of bookmark favors, with prices ranging from a few dollars to over $50, depending on the material, quantity, and design. For example, a set of 50 wedding favors with leather bookmarks and thank-you cards is priced at $11.99.

Tips to Save Money:

When choosing a book, consider the quality of the paper and printing rather than the subject matter. Look for books with discolored or letterpress-printed pages, which can add a vintage touch to your bookmarks. Additionally, consider enlisting the help of friends or family to assemble the bookmarks, as it can be a time-consuming task.

Frequently asked questions