DIY Wedding Memory Box

A shadow box keeps a wedding cake topper free of dust.

A wedding box holds treasures from a wedding day, either as a storage box or a shadow box. A shadow box is a deep box with a framed glass lid for making three-dimensional displays of mementos. The glass protects the mementos, creating a permanent decorative display of wedding treasures. Making your own wedding shadow box allows you to personalize it with the color, size and look that you want for your wedding memories.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cloth measuring tape
• Wedding mementos, such as photo, invitation, garter, cake topper, dried flowers
• Shadow box, gift box or wooden box
• Fabric or paper
• Scissors
• Photo corners (optional)
• Pencil (optional)
• Craft glue
• Frame with attached glass that will fit the box (optional)

1. Measure the largest item that you want to include in the memory box display. For example, measure the cake topper's height and its width at the widest point.

2. Prepare a ready-made shadow box, a heavy-duty gift box or a wooden box as deep as you need for the widest item. Cover the box with fabric or gift wrap by gluing a panel of material to each side of the box, both inside and out, unless you're using an attractive box that doesn't need to be covered.

3. Measure the inside bottom of the box--this area becomes the back of the display. Cut a piece of velvet, satin or paper to fit. This provides the background for the memory box. For example, use a piece of wedding gift wrap with a subtle print or create contrast for light colored items with a black or dark blue velvet background.

4. Squeeze zigzags of craft glue onto the inside bottom of the box. Press the fabric or paper in the box right side up. Smooth it down gently, pushing out any air bubbles with your fingertips so that it will dry flat. Allow the glue to dry for at least 30 minutes.

5. Arrange the mementos on the background with the most important part of the display near the center, such as the cake topper or wedding photo. Surround it with other mementos, such as dried flowers from the wedding bouquet, the bride's garter or photographs. Make small marks in pencil to help you glue each item in the right place, if needed.

6. Use photo corners or glue to affix photos, wedding invitations or other paper items to the shadow box's backing. Alternatively, use a small amount of glue on the back of the paper items. Keep the glue one-eighths inch away from the edge of the item to avoid the risk of glue spreading and showing when you press the item in place.

7. Apply glue in a zigzag to the back of the frame where it will meet the edges of the box. Set the frame on the box's opening to create the wedding memory shadow box if you're making your box from scratch.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use satin or another fine material for the backdrop, use as little glue as possible to reduce the risk of the glue bleeding through the fabric.

• Avoid hanging the box in direct sunlight, humid areas or near a source of heat. These conditions can damage the materials in the shadow box.

Resources

• Martha Stewart Weddings: DIY Style Memory-Keeping