Creating A Wedding Shadow Box: Treasuring Your Special Day

Wedding shadow boxes are a creative and fun way to preserve mementos from your special day. They can be made from various materials, but typically consist of a wooden or plastic container with a clear glass or acrylic window, allowing you to display your cherished items. Creating your own wedding shadow box is a straightforward process that involves choosing a theme, selecting and arranging your items, and assembling them within the box. This DIY project is an excellent way to showcase your wedding day memories and turn them into decorative pieces for your home.

Choosing a theme

The Wedding Outfits

If you want your shadow box to showcase the outfits you wore on your special day, you could include items like the veil, tie, or even the wedding dress itself. You could also add in the groom's boutonniere, or the bride's bouquet, to add a pop of colour and a three-dimensional element.

The Wedding Venue

Take inspiration from your wedding venue, especially if it was a historic site or had a unique theme. For example, if you got married in a garden, you could include a vintage postcard or map of the location, dried flowers, or even a photo of the happy couple surrounded by nature.

The Wedding Vows

If you want your shadow box to be a daily reminder of your commitment to each other, consider including your wedding vows. You could have them engraved on wood or paper, or even framed within the box. You could also include other paper items, like the wedding invitations, save-the-dates, or a seating chart.

The Wedding Reception

Your shadow box could be a celebration of the food and drink enjoyed at your wedding. Include wine corks, beer caps, or even a slice of your wedding cake. You could also showcase the decorations from the reception, such as lace or twine, or any favours given to your guests.

The Wedding Memories

A shadow box is a great way to display photos from your wedding. You could include a mix of family wedding photos and pictures from your own big day, or even a caricature of the happy couple. If you have any video recordings, you could include the tape or disk, along with a vintage player, for a fun, interactive element.

Remember, the theme you choose is entirely up to you and should reflect your personal style and the memories you want to cherish.

Selecting your items

The fun part about creating your own wedding shadow box is choosing what to put in it. Wedding shadow boxes can display all of your wedding's special items, highlight one favourite piece, or become a time capsule for items too important to be put in storage.

Couples typically choose to include mementos such as invitations, save-the-dates, decorative fillers like lace, bouquets, photos, wedding dresses, preserved boutonnieres, and wedding favours. You could also add in items from your wedding day like your veil, your partner's tie, or your wedding programme.

If you're looking for something a little different, you could include a vintage postcard, a family heirloom, a caricature of you and your partner, or a personalised dress hanger.

For a more natural look, you could use a wood slice engraved with your names, wedding date, and a nice saying. Surround it with dried flowers, twine, and moss for an earthy, nature-focused box.

If you're a wine lover, you could save the corks from your wedding and pop them in your shadow box. Or, if you're a beer drinker, you could fill your box with beer caps from the wedding.

If you're looking for a more romantic approach, you could put your vows inside the box, engraved with your names and wedding date.

For a fun twist, you could use your shadow box as a guest book. Ask guests to sign heart-shaped tokens that you can place inside the box.

The options are endless!

Picking a layout

• Choose a focal point: Select the item that you want to be the centrepiece of your shadow box. This could be a particularly eye-catching item, such as a bouquet, dress, or cake topper. Arrange the rest of your items around this focal point to create a sense of balance and draw attention to the most important pieces.
• Use hanging items: Consider hanging certain items from the top of the shadow box or placing them on the interior side walls to create a three-dimensional display. This adds depth and interest to your layout, making it more visually appealing.
• Vary item placement: Place some items on the bottom of the box, while leaning or hanging others. This creates a dynamic composition that showcases your items from different angles and prevents the layout from looking flat.
• Consider the box shape and size: The shape and size of your shadow box will impact your layout. For example, a top-loading box that opens from the front will require a different arrangement than a back-loading box. Choose a box that is large enough to accommodate all your items comfortably, allowing them to breathe and be properly showcased.
• Play with dimensions: Don't be afraid to layer items or place them at different heights within the box. You can use stands, pedestals, or folded cardstock, as suggested by Gabrielle Vendetti, to create varying levels and add depth to your layout.
• Experiment with arrangements: Try out different layouts by arranging and rearranging your items until you find the perfect composition. Take photos of each layout to compare them and choose the one that best showcases your items and tells your wedding story.

Buying or making your box

There are many options for buying or making your own wedding shadow box. You can buy a pre-made shadow box from a craft store, or online from websites such as Etsy. If you want to make your own, you can purchase a custom framing kit or use supplies from your local craft store.

If you're making your own, the first step is to decide on a theme. This could be matching your living room decor, including food-specific elements, or displaying your wedding outfits. Once you have a theme, you can start gathering your items. You might already have some, but for others, you may need to wait. It's a good idea to make a list so you don't forget anything.

Your next step is to choose a layout. Pick a focal point and arrange the rest of your items around it. Think about hanging some items, placing some on the interior side walls, and resting others on the bottom of the box.

Now it's time to purchase or make your shadow box container. If you're making your own, you can use supplies from a craft store. You'll need a shadow box, a piece of card stock, and pins or glue to secure your items. If you're buying a pre-made box, you can choose from wood or plastic containers with a clear glass or acrylic window. A sealed box will protect your items from damage or dirt.

When you have your container, arrange all your items inside before securing them in place. Take a photo of each arrangement and compare them to decide which you prefer. Finally, secure your items using temporary adhesives, and allow any glue to dry before moving or hanging your box.

Arranging the items

Now comes the fun part: arranging your chosen items in your wedding shadow box!

Firstly, decide on a focal point for your display. This could be a particularly special item, such as your wedding cake topper or a photo of the two of you, or it could be a collection of items, like your wedding bouquet, a map of your hometown, or the wine corks from your wedding reception.

Next, arrange the rest of your items around the focal point. Consider hanging some items, placing some on the interior side walls, and resting others on the bottom of the box to add interest and variety to your display. Play around with different arrangements until you find one that you like. Take photos of each arrangement and compare them side by side to help you decide.

Remember to handle your items with care, especially if they are old or delicate. For example, if you are displaying dried flowers, be gentle to avoid any petals or leaves falling off.

Finally, secure your items in place using glue or sticky tack. Try to use temporary adhesives wherever possible, and allow the glue to dry before moving or hanging your shadow box.

Frequently asked questions