For my bridesmaids, I decided to make cards and send them to my girls, asking them if they would be in my wedding.
The reasons I loved this idea:
1. Handmade = time, effort & appreciation from the reciever.
2. I could personalize them to include whatever I want. The more personal, the better.
3. It would be a nice surprise for them (if you can keep it a secret!)
4. It would be something they could hold on to forever.
So, that's what I did. I went to the store, bought supplies, and just kind of went for it. I love the way they turned out.
I don't have a pic of the inside, but basically I glued a piece of printed paper to match the dress on the inside flap, then I wrote each of the girls poems and attached them too (keep reading for an example of the poems).
If you would like to make them yourself, here's some easy steps. They can me made in a couple hours and are cheap to put together!
You will need:
1. Cardstock for the actual card. Get as many or as few colors as you like.
2. Cardstock for the bust of the dress if you want it to be white (I chose one with a swirly pattern).
3. Printed paper for the skirts/inside the flap of the card. You can get this in the scrapbook section of any craft store.
4. Tulle. You can buy small rolls of tulle in any craft store.
5. Stickers for decoration. I bought sticky pearls for the side of the card, as well as the waist of the dress. You can get anything you like.
6. Very thin elastic.
7. Monogram beads (one for each girl)
8. Glue.
Instructions:
1. Cut the cardstock to the size of card you want.
2. Carefully, fold the cardstock in half. You will now have a normal-looking, folding card.
3. Cut out the busts of your dresses (the white part) I basically cut out a heart shape, then cut the point off. They don't have to be perfect! Glue the bust to your card.
4. Cut out a piece of tulle for each skirt. Make sure you put enough under each skirt to make it poof out, and stick out the bottom.
5. Glue the tulle to the back of your skirt. Then, glue the TOP ONLY of the skirt to your cardstock, where it goes (butt it up next to the bust to make a dress)
6. Embellish! Stick your pearls or whatever embellishments you have along the side of the card, the bottom of the card, the waist of the dress, wherever you want!
7. Cut out a piece of printed paper (the same print that was on the skirt of the dress) to fit on the inside flap of your card. Glue it down.
8. Write a note, poem, or whatever you want on the inside. I actually wrote four different poems on the computer, printed them out, then glued it to the printed paper on the inside.
9. Once your card is ready to go, slip your monogram bead on the elastic, wrap it around the card to hold it shut and tie it in a bow!
10. Send or give them to your girls!
Here is the poem that I wrote for my maid of honor:
Rashelle,
The day has come when I will be
Married to Brandt, finally.
I love him so much, that is true
But one thing’s for certain, I love you too.
You’ve been there for me for years gone past
Our friendship is one that’s made to last.
As I stand at the alter next year,
With you by my side I’ll have nothing to fear.
There is just one thing that I’d like to ask,
As I’ve chosen you for an important task.
I need you now more than ever,
Be my maid of honor today
and my best friend forever.
Steal mine (I won't care!), or write one of your own. Trust me, they will love them. My girls were so excited. I even got some tears. It's well worth the effort for them to feel special and have something to remember it by.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
