Transform A Bucket Into A Wedding Wishing Well

Wedding wishing wells are becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples who would prefer to receive cash over gifts. A wishing well is a box at a wedding where guests can deposit cash gifts, and it can be customised with creative decor. Couples may prefer cash gifts to fund their honeymoon, contribute to a house deposit, or simply because they already have everything they need for their home.

If you're looking to make a wedding wishing well from a bucket, you can purchase a ready-made one from speciality suppliers or design your own. Here are some steps to make your own wedding wishing well from a bucket:

1. Decorate the bucket: You can festoon the bucket with colours or themes that match your wedding decorations. For example, if your wedding colours are pink and white, you can decorate the bucket with those colours.

2. Include an explanation: It is a good idea to include a card in your invitation explaining the wishing well. This card should be separate from the actual invitation. You can write a cute poem or a simple explanation, clearly stating that you would prefer monetary gifts.

3. Place the bucket at the wedding venue: Allocate a space for your wishing well and make it identifiable with a clear and nicely designed sign.

4. Thank your guests: Always thank your guests for their contributions, and let them know what the funds from the wishing well were used for. For example, you can add a picture of your new home or include honeymoon photos in your thank-you cards.

Choosing a bucket

Size and Shape:

• Consider the size of the bucket, ensuring it is proportionate to the expected number of guests. You want to ensure the bucket is large enough to accommodate all the cards and envelopes without looking empty or overflowing.
• Buckets come in various shapes, from traditional round buckets to square or rectangular boxes. Choose a shape that complements your wedding aesthetic and fits well with the overall design of your wishing well.

Material and Colour:

• Buckets can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, acrylic, or glass. Choose a material that aligns with your wedding style and theme. For example, if you're having a rustic-themed wedding, a wooden bucket would be a perfect choice. For a more modern look, consider acrylic or glass.
• Colour is another important aspect. You can match the bucket to your wedding colours or choose a neutral shade like white, cream, or gold. If you want something more playful, consider a bucket with a decorative pattern or a colour that pops.

Customisation and Decorations:

• You can purchase plain buckets and customise them to your liking. This could include painting them, adding decorations such as flowers or ribbons, or even engraving your names and wedding date.
• If you're crafty, consider DIY-ing your bucket by upcycling an old container or creating one from scratch. This adds a unique and personal touch to your wishing well.

Placement and Accessibility:

• Choose a bucket that is easy to access for your guests. Ensure it has a wide enough opening for cards and envelopes to be placed inside easily.
• Consider the placement of your wishing well. You may want to place it on a table with a sign, making it a focal point, or you might prefer a more subtle approach by placing it on a smaller table or stand.

Remember, the bucket you choose should reflect your style and personality. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like, and don't be afraid to get creative!

Decorating the bucket

Now that you have your bucket, it's time to decorate it! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Choose a colour scheme: If your wedding has a specific colour scheme, use those colours to decorate your bucket. This could be as simple as adding a ribbon or fabric in those colours to the bucket, or painting the bucket to match.
• Add flowers or greenery: Fresh or faux flowers can be a beautiful addition to your wishing well. Try wrapping a bouquet with twine or ribbon and attaching it to the front of the bucket, or draping greenery around the sides.
• Personalise it: Make the wishing well your own by adding your names, the wedding date, or a meaningful quote. This can be done with paint, stencils, or even vinyl lettering.
• Get creative with the bucket itself: Instead of a traditional bucket, consider using a large vase, a decorative mailbox, or a wooden box. These can be found at most craft stores and can add a unique touch to your wishing well.
• Incorporate your theme: If you have a specific wedding theme, try to incorporate that into your decorations. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you could decorate the bucket with seashells and starfish. Or, if you're having a rustic wedding, use twine, burlap, and baby's breath flowers.
• Add some sparkle: A little glitter or sequins can go a long way! Try gluing on some sparkly embellishments or wrapping the bucket in a glittery fabric.
• Don't forget the card slot: Make sure your guests know where to put their cards and well-wishes by adding a clearly marked slot. This can be cut into the lid of the bucket or added as a separate envelope holder attached to the front.

Remember, the wishing well is a reflection of your style and personality, so have fun with it and don't be afraid to get creative!

Wishing well wording

Asking for money instead of gifts can be tricky, but there are ways to do it politely and tactfully. Here are some ideas for wording your wedding wishing well requests:

Simple Wishing Well Wording:

• 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.
• Your gift of love and support is all we need on our special day. However, if you would like to give a gift, we will have a wishing well at our reception.
• We are blessed to not only have each other but the guests who will make our wedding day so special. We’d rather not receive gifts, but if you’d like to contribute to our wedding and our future together, we will have a wishing well at our reception to which you can contribute.

Playful Poems Wishing Well Wording:

• Your love and laughter at our wedding are all we truly need. But a wishing well contribution will be warmly received.
• Your presence at our wedding is present enough, so don't worry about gifts, we have plenty of stuff. However, if you were thinking of helping us on our way, some money towards our honeymoon would truly make our day.
• We're simply so grateful for your presence here, to celebrate our love and cheer. As we begin our journey anew, we’ll cherish your friendship into our future, too. If you’d like to contribute to our wishing well, however, you’ll help us create memories tonight and forever.

Purposeful Wishing Well Wording:

• Your presence on our wedding day is the most special gift we could possibly ask for. However, if you do wish to bless us and contribute to our future together, we are saving for our new home. A wishing well will be present at our reception.
• We’re thrilled that you’re able to make it to our wedding - that’s more than enough for us. However, if you would like to bring us something, spending money for our honeymoon would be most appreciated.
• We are thrilled to celebrate our special day with all of our loved ones. And of all the gifts you could bring, your presence is the most cherished. However, if you would like to contribute to our wedding costs, we will have a wishing well set up at our reception. We appreciate your love and support and can't wait to create unforgettable memories together on our wedding day.

Formal Wishing Well Wording:

• While your presence on our wedding day is a cherished gift, we understand that some guests like to offer more. In lieu of a traditional gift, we would be grateful for a monetary contribution towards our life together. If you would like to participate, you can leave your donation and well wishes in our wishing well, which will be available at our reception.
• As we embark on this new chapter of our lives, we are grateful for the love and support of our family and friends. If you feel inclined to contribute to our wedding costs and the beginning of this next step in our lives together, we have set up a wishing well where you can leave your well wishes and support. No matter how big or small, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Casual Wishing Well Wording:

• No gifts are necessary—we just want to see you! If you do wish to give us a little something, a little cash to spend on our honeymoon (or our new home) would be very much appreciated.
• We can't imagine our wedding day without having all our loved ones here to celebrate with us. We know some of you have come from far and wide, and we're so grateful for the effort you've taken. If you'd like to give a little something extra to help start our journey on the right foot, we've got a wishing well set up where you can drop your cash and loving messages. Thank you all for being a part of our day.
• We don't need big presents, just the presence of our loved ones. However, if you would like to contribute to our honeymoon (or future home), we have a wishing well set up at our reception.

Wishing well signage

Location, Location, Location!

The first thing to consider when creating your wishing well signage is where to put it. Choose a spot that is easily visible and accessible to your guests, such as near the entrance, by the dance floor, or close to the gift table. This way, your guests won't miss it!

Craft Your Message

When it comes to the wording on your sign, keep it warm and concise. Here's an example: "Share in our joy by contributing to our dreams. Your well wishes are greatly appreciated." You can also add a personal touch by incorporating your names or a brief thank-you message. If you're using QR codes or web links for your wishing well, be sure to include them on the sign, so guests can easily understand and follow the process.

Design and Style

The design and style of your wishing well signage should harmonise with the overall theme of your wedding. This will ensure that the signage seamlessly becomes part of your event's ambiance.

Explore Different Approaches

In addition to physical signage, there are other ways to encourage guests to participate in your wishing well.

• Wishing Well Cards: Place cards on each table setting or at the entrance, providing guests with clear instructions on how to contribute.
• QR Codes: Create cards with a QR code that guests can easily scan to access your online wishing well.
• Wedding Website: If you have a wedding website, dedicate a section to your wishing well, complete with a prominent link.

Kick Things Off with a Welcome

When your event begins, give a warm welcome and briefly explain how the wishing well works. This sets the tone and lets guests know they are welcome to contribute. If you are using an app for your wishing well, let your guests know that they can send video messages for free.

Express Gratitude

Throughout your event, express your gratitude for your guests' presence and contributions. This will make them feel valued and appreciated.

After the Event

Following your wedding, be sure to thank your guests and let them know what their wishing well contributions were spent on. Consider including a photo if you spent it on your honeymoon or detailing a large purchase. Your guests will love knowing they contributed to something special.

Where to place the bucket

Now that you've crafted your wedding wishing well, it's time to decide on the perfect spot to place it. Here are some ideas and considerations to help you choose the ideal location:

• Reception area: Choose a spot near the entrance of your reception venue. This way, your guests will easily notice it as they arrive and have the opportunity to drop off their cards and well wishes. It also sets the tone for the celebration and lets guests know that you're opting for monetary gifts.
• Welcome table: Consider placing the bucket on a welcome table, perhaps with a small sign or explanation for those who are unfamiliar with the concept. This option keeps the wishing well in a central location without making it the main focus of the event. It also allows guests to leave their contributions and well wishes at their convenience.
• Dedicated gift table: If you anticipate a large number of gifts or cards, you may want to set up a dedicated gift table. This table can be located near the entrance or in a separate area, depending on your preference. This option ensures that there is ample space for all the gifts and provides a clear designated area for guests to place their contributions.
• Near the guest book: Placing the bucket near the guest book table can be a subtle way to encourage guests to leave their well wishes. It also creates a dedicated area for guests to interact and share their messages of support. This option is especially suitable if you have a decorative guest book or a creative guest book alternative, as it will draw attention to these thoughtful touches.
• Close to the couple's seating: Consider placing the bucket near the seating area reserved for the newlyweds. This way, guests can easily locate it and personally deliver their cards and well wishes to the happy couple. It also keeps the focus on the couple and their celebration.
• Outdoor weddings: If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider placing the bucket on a stable surface near the ceremony area. Ensure that it's covered to protect it from any unexpected weather changes. You can decorate the surrounding area with flowers or other decorations that complement your wedding theme.

Remember, the key is to choose a spot that is easily accessible and visible to your guests. You can also add decorative touches to the area, such as signage, flowers, or other wedding decorations, to create a beautiful and inviting space.

Frequently asked questions