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What to do with all those reception cards?  There simply must be a place for guests to leave their gifts to the new couple. There are innumerable ways to accent the gift table using beautifully decorated baskets, birdcages, lobster traps and of course the gift-able stack.  But often brides need to seek a more secure way to hold gifts from guests.  We do not like to think that all those folks who are there to help the Bride have a perfect day may also help them selves to the newly-wed couple’s gifts.

The idea of a keepsake chest has been a long standing wedding tradition, as the holder of the future Bride’s trousseau or dowry.  Borrowing this concept a solution for reception cards is a Bride’s Box.

A Nantucket Basket dressed with the bridemaid fabric	Yellow roses and a butterfly to recall family lost to Cystic Fibrosis

 Using a nicely constructed wooden chest painted to compliment the wedding party, adding custom needlework that features names, dates, colors and themes, the Box begins to take shape. The addition of treasured fabrics and details can add a more personal touch.  Thus a Bride has a beautiful receptacle for those gift cards that is not only secure but later a place to safely treasure wedding day mementos and keepsakes [toasting glasses, cake cutting knife, video, etc] once the big day passes.  One bride said “The bride's box that was made for me was a wonderful addition to our celebration. It really added a personal touch to a standard card box. I now keep my wedding memories in it! “   She mentioned this several years after her wedding as she and her young daughter were looking through it one day.

A Celtic Celebration	A monogrammed pair of hearts

To create a “promise box”  a slightly smaller box was used.  Inside there is room for a bottle of wine, two glasses and will hold the notes the newly wed couple write each other throughout their marriage. The first may be a card they give each other on their wedding day.  A copy of their wedding vows could be enclosed. Each couple can decide when they wish to place notes inside and when they will read the notes.  Perhaps on each anniversary or holiday, perhaps after a particularly trying time that is the couple’s choice.

What a lovely and touching way to keep the spark alive.  We all get mired in the day to day.  Sometimes differences seem so much larger than life.  In this ‘Promise’ box, notes are kept to help remind the couple what was that attracted them to each other initially.  When one re -visits those notes disharmony is often replaced by warm memories….  The ‘Promise’ box is a visible remembrance of the day that was the beginning of your new life together. 

The box pictured, used two custom signs using burgundy roses, a favorite of the bride, and the couple’s names, wedding date and last initial. What a beautiful reminder of their new beginning. And a wonderful new tradition is born…

Each Bride’s / Promise box is individually designed, so no two are ever the same.  The box itself can be white, ivory or reflect the color palette chosen by the bride.  The hand worked decoration is planned to compliment the chosen theme be it romantic, dramatic, or ethnic.  The choices are only limited by the Bride’s vision.  Lettering styles are chosen to mimic the style used on the wedding invitation.

As seen on Wedding Wire and Etsy.
Patti White Davis
Embroiders Guild of America
Simply done…
simplydone4u@gmail.com
www.simplydone4u.net