Wedding Blog
Early on in wedding planning I found this photo on engageology (aka Kenziegirl).
I loved the idea of using “found” elements and reusing items. I thought it would be great how personal and handmade these could look. Little did I realize that most people BUY these corks like that. I thought that whoever made them just really liked that one type of wine…
Many people began collecting corks for us and at first I thought synthetic corks would be better for this project. As it turns out, the real corks are much easier to sand down and to play around with.
We thought an X-Acto knife would do the trick of cutting the slit in the top, but the slits turned out to be too thin. So my dad (who is a carpenter) whipped out a vice and his backsaw. This worked, but it wasn’t fast enough for him (imagine ‘Tim the Tool Man Taylor’ from Home Improvement).
So he borrowed my neighbor’s scroll saw…
I think if you’re not related to my dad, then the backsaw would work just fine. The other tool we used was 60 grit sandpaper to flatten the bottoms.
Here is the finished product sans the actual place cards:
Did you enlist your dad for any wedding project help?
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Share this post: DIY - How To Turn Wine Corks Into Place Card Holders
Thank you so much for this DIY! We’re having our wedding at a winery and I wanted to do this too 
I’ll probably enlist my father’s help to make them too.
We also made cork place cards for our wedding. I used an exacto knife to shave off a piece of the bottom so they would sit flat and to cut the slit. It was a bit thin for the slit so sometimes I had to cut through twice. Sandpaper seems like a great idea to make the bottom flat, probably more precise than my hack job 
Be sure to leave little pieces of paper in the cork slits so they don’t close up before the wedding!
i helped a friend with these for her wedding years ago! back then, box cutters and sandpaper worked fine for us. NOTE: be sure to check ebay out for wine corks if you can’t manage to save enough for the day.
I had to laugh at your dad needing to “rev-up the process”. It sounds much like my own father and in true Tim the Tool Man fashion.
My dad is making some old barn wood directional signs (with wood from the old barn at my grandparents we need to tear down anyway) and I’m kinda thankful I’m not there to witness some of his antics! But then again it is always comical
Oh…and the other thing that cracks me up especially since you referenced Tim the Tool Man is the tube of Triple Antibiotic ointment in the photo with the backsaw
Looks great! Thanks so much for this post! I was eyeing this idea when I saw it on the Knot.com, but wasn’t sure how it could be done with real corks. I thought, Maybe a little brad or pin in the back to keep the cork from rolling. But I think you have a good idea/technique in using the sandpaper. Now to find a saw/your dad.
My dad carves bird decoys, and he’s given me many over the years. So I asked him to carve two small birds to use as my cake toppers. I think he was really touched to be involved in a detail like that, and I know they’ll be beautiful!
That sounds just like my dad as well! My dad is actually going to be making our chuppah!
thanks for the post! I’ve definitely been planning on doing this since I saw the resin corks on a website for purchase. I so couldn’t bring myself to pay money what I could make them myself.
12 corks saved. . . only 100 more to go? haha
I love this idea and would like to find a way to incorporate them into my wedding. Thanks for the great instructions.
Those are beyond cool! They can be used as business card holders too. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, those are some hard core power tools! I went to a wedding this fall where they also had cork place cards. I loved the idea so much that I took mine home and it’s now sitting on my dresser. I did wonder if they had to drink 100 bottles of wine to make them…oh, the sacrifices.
@Mrs. Pinot Noir: Great tip on leaving paper in them so they don’t swell shut!
My original post also suggested that, if you are using large or unusually heavy cardstock or using these outdoors (look out for wind!), make sure to attach a penny or something with a bit of weight to keep them from tumbling over.
I found 200+ real corks on Ebay for super cheap… It’s nice to see other brides doing the same thing I am
Oh my gosh! This is what we’re doing for our wedding also and I just used a large butcher knife to cut off one edge to create the flat bottom and cut two really thin slices into the cork on the other side to create the slit for the cards.
Thanks for your inspiration…i used the cork example in my blog…http://allwomenstalk.com/12-do%e2%80%99s-and-don%e2%80%99ts-for-every-bride-and-groom/
Thanks for your inspiration…i used the cork example in my blog…
http://allwomenstalk.com/12-do%e2%80%99s-and-don%e2%80%99ts-for-every-bride-and-groom/
I just noticed that you have a card for foundation fighting blidness in your corks- are you involved with them?!
If your busy and want a stylish finished look, we have been making the original and authentic wine cork placecard holders for weddings, events and many other wine-themed occasions for about 4 years. We have added studded legs in gold or silver and chosen corks with quality and world-wide variety…we custom design the placecards and tablecards that is included in the price. check us out…eBay store: wineKNOTcorkit
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Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK
Age and Occupation: 24, Stay at home fiance (formerly in nonprofit communications)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop
Engagement Date: August 10, 2008
Wedding Date: August, 2009
Venue: Oakland Manor
About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
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