Crafting Wedding Table Cards: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Planning a wedding can be a tedious task, with so many details to consider. Table cards are one of the many details that can add a personal touch to your wedding. Making your own table cards is a great way to save costs without compromising on style or quality. With a variety of options to choose from, you can create elegant and creative table cards that match your wedding's theme and aesthetic. From calligraphy flourishes to pressed flowers, the possibilities are endless. So get creative and add a unique flair to your special day!

Add a calligraphy flourish or hire a calligrapher

Adding a flourish to your wedding table cards is a great way to elevate your wedding decor and make your cards stand out. Calligraphy flourishes are the act of adding sweeping, decorative strokes to your writing to make it more impressive and extravagant. They can be simple curves and loops or more complex designs with curves that cross over themselves multiple times.

If you want to add a calligraphy flourish to your table cards, you can either hire a calligrapher or do it yourself. Hiring a calligrapher is a surprisingly inexpensive option and can save you time and effort. However, if you want to add a personal touch to your cards, you can try creating your own flourishes. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Practice with a pencil first: Before you start flourishing with ink, practice with a pencil so you can easily erase any mistakes.
• Use your whole arm: Flourishing is not just about moving your fingers; use your whole arm to create smooth and graceful flourishes.
• Maintain a steady flow: Avoid going too slow when flourishing. Instead, maintain a continuous and steady flow.
• Start with singular letters: Flourishing a whole word can be intimidating, so start by practising on individual letters.
• Use tracing paper: Sketch out your flourish designs on tracing paper to see what looks best before committing to your final piece.
• Balance your flourishes: Avoid overcrowding your cards by balancing your flourishes. Don't make them too big or too small, and ensure they don't interfere with the legibility of the word.
• Avoid crossing two thick lines: One of the important rules of flourishing is to avoid crossing two thick lines, as it can make your design look heavy and unbalanced.
• Warm up before flourishing: Just like any other form of writing or drawing, it's important to warm up before starting your final piece. Practise basic calligraphy strokes and oval shapes to get your hand and arm ready for flourishing.

By following these tips and practising regularly, you can create elegant and graceful flourishes that will add a unique touch to your wedding table cards.

Glue a tiny crystal to the card

Adding a tiny crystal to your wedding table cards is a great way to add some sparkle and elegance to your wedding. Here are some detailed instructions on how to glue a tiny crystal to your wedding table cards:

Choosing the Right Crystal

First, you need to select the right type of crystal for your project. Flatback crystals are commonly used for wedding table cards as they are easy to glue and come in various sizes, colours, and shapes. You can find these crystals at most craft stores or online. When choosing the size, consider the size of your table cards and select crystals that are small enough to fit neatly on the cards without overwhelming the design.

Gathering Your Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials:

• Your chosen crystals
• A strong adhesive suitable for the surface of your table cards (more on this later)
• Tweezers
• A small tray or container to hold your crystals
• A glue applicator, such as a toothpick or a small brush
• A work surface protected by a mat or scrap paper

Preparing Your Crystals

Before you start gluing, take your crystals out of their packaging and place them in a small tray or container. This will make it easier to pick them up with the tweezers and prevent them from rolling away. If your crystals have multiple facets, you may want to play around with their placement to find the most visually appealing side and ensure they all face the same direction when glued.

Selecting the Right Adhesive

The type of adhesive you choose will depend on the surface of your table cards. If your cards are made of paper, a strong paper glue, such as a clear-drying glue or fabric glue, is recommended. Avoid using too much glue as it may cause the paper to wrinkle or become saturated. PVA glue is another option but may not be as strong. If your table cards are made of plastic or another smooth material, lightly roughen the surface with sandpaper to help the adhesive stick better.

Gluing the Crystals

Now it's time for the fun part—gluing your crystals! Using your tweezers, carefully pick up a crystal and apply a small amount of glue to the back. You can dip the crystal directly into the glue or use your applicator to apply the glue. Be careful not to use too much glue as it may spread beyond the crystal and create a mess. Place the crystal in the desired position on your table card and hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond. Repeat this process for each crystal, spacing them evenly across your table cards.

Drying and Final Touches

Once you have glued all your crystals, set your table cards aside and let them dry completely. This may take a few hours or even 24 hours, depending on the type of adhesive used. After the glue has dried, carefully inspect your work and remove any excess glue with a toothpick or cotton swab dipped in acetone or rubbing alcohol. Be gentle to avoid damaging the crystals or the surface of your table cards.

Tips for Success

• Practice makes perfect: If this is your first time gluing crystals, consider doing a test run on a piece of scrap paper to get a feel for the process.
• Less is more: When it comes to glue, a little goes a long way. Using too much glue can cause it to seep out from under the crystal or create a cloudy appearance.
• Work in a well-ventilated area: Some adhesives release fumes, so make sure the room is well-ventilated to avoid any irritation.
• Use a magnifying glass: If you're working with small crystals, a magnifying glass or jewellery loupe can help you place them more precisely.
• Store your glue properly: Keep your adhesive tightly sealed and stored in a cool, dry place to prolong its shelf life.

Use a decorative hole punch

Using a decorative hole punch is a great way to add a unique and detailed touch to your wedding table cards. Here are some tips and ideas to help you achieve this:

Choose a Hole Punch Design

Select a hole punch with a shape that complements your wedding theme or style. For example, a heart or starburst shape can add a whimsical touch, while a detailed bird shape can evoke a more natural or outdoor theme. You can find hole punches with nearly 2,000 custom shapes, so there are plenty of options to choose from.

Plan Your Card Layout

Decide where you want the hole-punched shape to appear on your table cards. Popular options include the bottom corner or the top centre of each card. If you want the holes in a specific location, you can make a template by folding a piece of paper the same size as your cards in half and punching the hole in the desired location. Then, use this template to mark where to punch the holes on the rest of your cards.

Select the Right Hole Punch

Choose a hole punch that is suitable for the type of paper or card stock you are using. Handheld hole punches are standard for paper and can be found at craft or office supply stores. For thicker materials, you may need a stronger hole punch, such as those made from aircraft-quality metals, which can handle a variety of plastics and paper.

Upgrade Options

To make your hole-punching task quicker and easier, consider selecting a hole punch with functional upgrades. For example, you can choose a hole punch with a longer jaw length for a greater reach or add-ons like rings for stability and paper reservoirs for easy cleanup.

Combine with Other Decorations

You can combine your hole-punched designs with other decorations on your table cards. For instance, you could add a tiny crystal or a feather to the centre of each card, tying into your wedding décor or centrepieces. You could also use stamp art or calligraphy to add a flourish to the names and numbers on the cards.

Stamp art for a rustic or Victorian theme

Stamp art is a great way to elevate your wedding table cards and tie in your theme, whether it's rustic or Victorian.

For a rustic theme, you could opt for a stamp with a natural, outdoorsy motif, such as mountains, trees, or wildlife. You could also go for a farm-themed stamp, featuring cows, Angus cows and calves, or farm branding. If you're feeling creative, you could even design your own stamp with a monogram or logo that represents you and your partner.

When it comes to Victorian-themed stamp art, think elegant and intricate designs. Monograms and wreaths are a popular choice, as are floral and botanical motifs. You can also incorporate a touch of gothic or baroque style with Victorian-inspired frames, dark florals, and ornate scripts.

If you're looking to add a bit of sparkle to your table cards, consider using a stamp with a special embossing set that creates shimmery silver or gold designs or letters. This can add a luxurious touch to your rustic or Victorian theme.

When choosing your stamps, consider visiting craft stores or browsing online marketplaces like Etsy, which offer a wide variety of custom and unique stamp options to suit your wedding theme.

Write a personalised message or quote

When writing a personalised message or quote for your wedding table cards, it's important to consider your relationship with the couple and the tone you want to convey. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Formal Wishes

If you've been invited to a formal wedding or have chosen elegant table cards, a formal message is a good choice. These wishes are sophisticated and timeless:

• "Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness."
• "Your wedding day will come and go, but may your love forever grow."
• "Best wishes on this wonderful journey as you build your new lives together."
• "May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy."
• "May the true love you share today grow stronger as you grow old together."
• "Congratulations on a beautiful beginning to married life."
• "May your joining together bring you more joy than you can imagine."
• "Thank you for letting us share in this joyful day. We wish you all the best as you embark on this wonderful union."

Casual Wishes

If you prefer a more relaxed tone, go with something short and sweet. It's perfectly fine to write a casual message, regardless of your relationship with the couple:

• "Wishing you lots of love and a lifetime of happiness."
• "We love you. Congrats"!
• "Lots of love today and beyond."
• "Here's to a long and happy marriage."
• "So proud of you both on this special day. Congrats!"
• "Here's to a long and happy married life!"
• "Wishing you the best—today and always."
• "So happy to celebrate this special day with you both!"
• "Let the adventure begin!"

Funny Wishes

If you're confident that your humour will land well with the couple, go ahead and write a funny message! Just be careful to avoid anything that could be considered insulting or snarky. Here are some ideas:

• "Thanks for inviting us to eat and drink while you get married. Congrats!"
• "You two make almost as good of a team as [their favourite sports team]."
• "Our marriage advice: Love, honour and... scrub the toilet!"
• "Congratulations—your wedding successfully made me sob like a baby."
• "Is someone cutting onions? Never mind, those would be my happy tears."
• "Glad I got to break out my dance moves in honour of such a great couple. Lots of love to you both!"
• "Wow, you two know how to throw a party! Thanks for having us and congrats on a beautiful day."

Inspirational Wishes

If you want to inspire the couple and reflect on how special your relationship with them is, try an inspirational message. This is a sweet way to celebrate their big day:

• "Your love inspires me—here's to my favourite couple."
• "You've come so far, and your future together is so bright. Happy wedding day."
• "Talk about the wedding of the century! Same time next year for your anniversary?"
• "I can't wait to see how the rest of your love story unfolds."
• "Power couple alert! Congratulations!"
• "May every day together see your love grow deeper."
• "Today is just the beginning; it gets even better."
• "Thanks for giving me an example of what true love is."
• "You shine so bright together."

Religious Wishes

If the couple is religious, you can include religious elements in your message. Consider their beliefs and practices, and customise your message accordingly. Here are some ideas:

• "May your marriage be blessed!"
• "Wishing you a marriage as strong as your faith."
• "Sending you prayers for unending love and happiness."
• "Love is the greatest blessing."
• "God bless you both on this day with a lifetime of shared love and joy."
• "May your marriage be as strong as your faith."
• "Sending you prayers for a lifetime of love and happiness."
• "May God's blessings surround you on this special day and always."

Remember, the most important thing is that your message comes from the heart. Feel free to combine and personalise these ideas to create a special and meaningful wedding table card.

Frequently asked questions