How to Make a Wedding Wishing Well

Make the gift table at your wedding complete with a carnation-covered wishing well.

Wishing wells are used at weddings to collect the good wishes and gifts of money for the bridal couple. An announcement needs to be included in the wedding invitation that tastefully lets the guests know that checks and cash are just as welcome as a gift. The money is put in small envelopes along with the giver's name. The envelopes are placed in the wishing well at the reception.

Things You'll Need

• Floral foam
• Glass vase, either clear or in the wedding colors
• Floral clay
• Rubber bands
• Tray
• Basket handle
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Tiny basket
• White ribbon
• Carnations, white or in the wedding colors

Instructions

1. Cut four pieces of floral foam 3 inches thick and tall enough to cover the vase halfway. Attach the foam to the outside of the vase using floral clay. Roll the clay into a snake. Press it on the vase and then press the foam onto the clay. When the four sides of the wishing well are attached, secure them with three rubber bands at the top middle and bottom.

2. Soak the floral foam and vase for 30 minutes in a sink full of water that covers the top of the foam. Remove and let drain for 10 minutes. Place the wishing well form in a waterproof tray or dish.

3. Cut off the handle of the basket and hot glue it to the outside of the glass vase right above the floral foam. The top of the handle should be 6 to 8 inches above the top of the vase.

4. Tie the tiny basket to the narrow white ribbon. Tie the other end of the ribbon to the top of the basket handle. The basket should dangle 1 inch over the top of the middle of the vase.

5. Cut the stems of the carnations to 2 inches long. Cover the foam with the carnations by poking the stems through the foam. Angle the top row of carnations so they cover the top of the foam. None of the foam should show.

6. Hand-letter a sign that says something like "Your Good Wishes and Contributions Are Welcome." Attach the sign to the top of the wishing well with hot glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't make the wishing well too big, because it looks greedy. If the well gets too full, remove some of the cards to a safe place.

• Use styrofoam and silk flowers to make the wishing well ahead of time.

• Place a few envelopes inside the vase so people get the idea of what they're supposed to do. Put cards, envelopes and pens next to the wishing well.

References

• "Creative Wedding Florals You Can Make"; Terry Rye; 2000