Creative Cake Gift Card Box For Weddings

A wedding cake gift card box is a fun and creative way to add decor to your wedding reception while also providing a secure place for guests to leave their cards and well wishes. Making your own wedding cake gift card box is a more personal and budget-friendly option compared to buying a decorative card box. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful and functional card box that resembles a three-tiered wedding cake.

Choosing the right size for your box

When making a wedding cake gift card box, choosing the right size is important to ensure all the cards fit inside securely. The size of your box will depend on the number of guests you invite and how many are likely to bring cards. It's always better to go for a bigger box than a smaller one to be safe.

For a secure fit, you'll need a set of nesting boxes that fit inside each other. These boxes should be graduated in size, with the smallest box being large enough to fit the average greeting card. The smallest box is the one you'll cut a slot in for cards, so make sure it's big enough. Mark the slot with a ruler and pencil, making it the length of a standard greeting card and no more than half an inch wide. If you plan to put a topper on your "cake", you'll need to position the slot off-centre and towards the back of the box top.

The next box in size will also need a hole in the centre, big enough for cards to drop through. Measure the width of the bottom of the smallest box. This, minus an inch, is the size of the hole you will cut in the lid of the next box. You don't want to cut the entire bottom out or cut it the same size as the box on top, or you won't have any edge to glue the boxes together. Repeat this process for each subsequent box, making sure each hole is slightly smaller than the box above.

The largest box, which will be the bottom box, should not have a hole in the bottom. When you stack the boxes with the smallest box on top, you should be able to drop a card into the slot and have it fall all the way through to the bottom box.

Selecting the perfect decorations

• Consider the wedding's colour palette: Use the wedding's colour scheme as a guide for choosing decorations. This will help to create a cohesive and stylish look. If you're unsure about the exact colours, ask the couple or refer to other wedding decorations for inspiration.
• Choose elegant and sophisticated details: Opt for decorations that are elegant and sophisticated, especially if the wedding has a formal or upscale atmosphere. This could include items such as silk flowers, pearls, lace, or satin ribbons.
• Add a personal touch: Incorporate decorations that reflect the couple's personality or interests. For example, if they love nature, consider adding some small floral or leaf designs. If they have a fun and bright colour scheme, you could add polka dots or a playful topper.
• Keep it simple: Don't overload the box with too many decorations. A simple and classic approach can often be more effective. Focus on a few key decorative elements that will make an impact without overwhelming the design.
• Use a variety of textures: Mix and match different textures to create a visually appealing box. For instance, combine smooth ribbons with the softness of silk flowers or the sparkle of beads or sequins.
• Incorporate meaningful details: If there is a particular theme or symbol that is significant to the couple, try to incorporate it into the decorations. For example, if they love music, you could add musical notes or instruments as part of the design.
• Ensure durability: Select decorations that will last throughout the event. Avoid fragile or delicate items that may get damaged easily, especially if they are likely to be handled by guests.

Remember, the key is to create a wedding cake gift card box that reflects the couple's style and the overall theme of the wedding. By choosing decorations thoughtfully and creatively, you can make a unique and memorable addition to the special day.

Cutting the card slot

The card slot is an essential part of your wedding cake gift card box, ensuring that guests can easily insert their cards. Here's a detailed guide on how to cut the card slot:

• Decide on the Order of Steps: You can choose to cut the card slot before or after covering the boxes. Cutting the slot first will result in neater edges, but it requires more careful wrapping and gluing of the paper. If you prefer a quicker method, cover the boxes first and then cut the slot, but ensure you have a sharp cutting tool for clean edges.
• Measure and Mark: Using a ruler and pencil, measure and mark the card slot on the lid of the smallest box. The standard size for a greeting card is around 5" x 7", so make the slot slightly longer (up to 8 inches) and no more than 1/2" wide. If you plan to add a topper to your cake, position the slot off-center and towards the back of the box lid to avoid interference.
• Cutting the Slot: Carefully cut along the marked lines with a sharp box cutter or X-acto knife. Take your time to ensure straight and precise cuts. If you cut the slot before covering the box, you can wrap the paper around the edges of the slot, securing it with glue.
• Clean Up the Edges: Once you've cut the slot, use an X-acto knife to clean up any messy edges. This step will ensure that your box looks neat and professionally made. If you cut the slot after covering the box, you might need to touch up the cut edges with paint to match your chosen colour scheme.

Remember, the card slot should be long enough to accommodate standard greeting cards, and its position should consider any additional decorations or toppers you plan to add to your wedding cake gift card box.

Making holes for cards to drop through

Firstly, set aside the box lid and focus on the bottom of the box. Draw a circle on the bottom of the box, leaving a two-inch border around the edge. Cut out this circle carefully. This will serve as the main entry point for cards.

Next, you'll want to create a hole in the lid of the next box in the stack. Measure the width of the bottom of the box you just cut. For this next hole, you'll make it one inch narrower than the bottom of the box. Draw this circle on the lid of the next box and cut it out. By making it slightly narrower, you create a rim that will allow you to glue the boxes together securely.

Repeat this process for each subsequent box in your wedding cake stack. Always ensure that you're leaving enough space for cards to pass through easily. For the final, largest box, do not cut out the bottom, or you'll end up with a card avalanche!

Once you've cut the holes, it's a good idea to test the setup. Stack the boxes with the smallest box on top and try dropping a card through the slot. It should fall smoothly through all the boxes and land in the bottom box. If it gets stuck, you may need to adjust the size of the holes.

Now that you've created the holes for cards to drop through, you can move on to decorating your boxes and assembling your wedding cake gift card box.

Covering the box

Now that you have your set of nesting boxes, it's time to cover them to achieve that wedding cake look. You can use a combination of paint and wallpaper, or heavy-duty gift wrap and scrapbook paper. If you're using paper, measure the height and circumference of each box and cut the paper to size, adding about 0.5 inches of overlap for safety.

For the lids, simply place them on the paper and trace around them, then cut them out and glue them down. If you've already cut the slots for the cards, you'll need to make a cut in the centre of the slot and fold the cut edges under, gluing them down on the inside of the box.

For a neater finish, it's recommended to cut the slots before covering the boxes, as this makes it easier to wrap and glue the edges neatly underneath. However, if you've already covered your boxes, don't worry! Simply use a very sharp box cutter or X-acto knife to cut the slots, and then touch up any messy edges with paint.

Once your boxes are covered and slotted, it's time to start decorating!

Frequently asked questions