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I’ve seen the cute birdcages, mailboxes, and hat boxes that brides are using these days for their card boxes on the gift table. So many of them are tailored to fit in perfectly with their themes. I, however, can’t seem to get myself to jump onto that bandwagon. Sometimes I wonder why I have to make things so hard on myself.
Anyway, I’ve been trying to think of creative options for the card box that fit us, but won’t make us go crazy. Or broke. I started thinking about vintage suitcases like this one, and how they tell there story of where you’ve been.
Source: Travelsmith
From time to time I’ve seen these great cardboard versions of vintage suitcases. PaperSource actually has a wide variety of them at pretty affordable prices - these black suitcases range from $8.00 - $14.50 each, depending on the size. Because they’re cardboard, you could cut the bottom out of the top and middle cases, part of the top off of the middle and bottom cases, a slit in the lid of the top case, and adhere them all together, so when you drop a card in the top, they collect in the bottom case. Unfortunately for me, these are black with red stitching, and I don’t want red. And I can’t seem to find them in all-black anywhere (or anywhere I can afford) …and really, can I afford to spend much money on this, at all? No.
Source: PaperSource
Lucky for me, I came across this DIY suitcase. It’s apparently made out of a Bisquick box! Who knew? Find the instructions here for this simple project. This project gives you so much more freedom, because you can use whatever boxes you have available to get the size you want, and fabric or paper that matches your color scheme, and it will cost next to nothing!
Source: Pecuniarities
I envision creating a stack of “suitcases” in black, and telling our story on them through pictures of us - where we’ve been throughout our relationship. Since we’re not planning (at this time) to do any form of a slideshow of pictures of us, this will be a fun way to display our memories as a couple, with maybe a few baby pictures pasted on for good measure! 
As I get going on this project, I’ll be sure to share the final product…hopefully it will be beautiful!
What will guests be dropping their cards into at your reception?
The card box is one of the things I’m still clueless on. I recovered a cardboard suitcase in paper that matches our theme, but my FMIL is worried people will steal the cards in it. So it looks like I’ll be figuring out another solution at some point.
The suitcases are a great idea! For some reason I’ve been hung up on the idea of a really big glass bowl. I bought a punch bowl at an estate sale a couple of weeks ago for that purpose … it’s actually a fairly unique piece, kind of looks like an overgrown brandy snifter. But I have no idea if it will realistically work; I need to try dropping a bunch of cards in there to find out.
I wasn’t crazy about the idea of the traditional satin-covered box, and I didn’t think that a basket or birdcage would fit the “sleek” aesthetic I’m attempting to achieve. But who knows, I might end up going that route if my glass bowl doesn’t work!
@Miss Mascara: My mom was worried about the same thing when I told her I didn’t want the standard “box.” (My original idea was a “tree” that people could clip the cards to, but I decided to go for something simpler.) My reply to her was that if people are going to steal, they’re going to steal no matter what you put the cards in. (And if not the cards, would it be guests’ purses or wallets?) What would FMIL prefer that you use? A bank vault?
Sorry, I know that sounds sarcastic and kind of rude, but as you can tell I’ve had this argument before 
just make sure it’s big enough for your guests to fit the cards in! those paper source suitcases are cute, but the smallest one is much smaller than most greeting cards.
I’m thinking I agree with @TheEditrix. If people are going to steal, they would steal a birdcage, a suitcase, or a box. The only real security would be to attach the cards to your wrist and carry them around all night. Not comfortable.
@MissMascara, the best you can do is to ask a couple responsible people (like your FMIL) to keep an eye on the area. Maybe they could be seated within sight lines of the gift table. If that doesn’t work, perhaps 1/4 of the way through the party someone could put the cards acquired somewhere safe like her car trunk.
I am also stuck on this. Your DIY suitcase sounds nice. Too much work for me. For our “guest book” we have a large glass vase like what TheEditrix described. I may just find another, and do that. I am SO not into the cardbox thing.
my aunt worried about the cards getting stolen as well. We painted and decorated an old hat box, cut a slit in the to pe and are taping it shut so no one can get inside.
I love the suitcase idea, but was too nervous to use it.
isn’t it sad we have to be concerned about card stealing?
My parents have tons of birdcages at their store so I’m probably going to grab one of those. It will definitely be a last minute thing, as I don’t plan on making anything for cards.
I really like your idea of stacking all the “suitcases”. I’m looking forward to seeing what you finally come up with. This is one thing I haven’t put much thought into yet. Since I live across the country from where I’m having my wedding, making something may be tough to travel with.
the suitcase idea is so great. i was just thinking of decorating a box, but now i’m inspired
For the record and with security in mind, no sticky fingered guests will be able to get into my card “suitcases” …it will be quite secure unless they start ripping it open
Whee I’m excited to start looking around for good boxes to use for this project…and even more excited that this project shouldn’t cost more than a couple of bucks!
Cute idea! I’m still scrounging around for inspiration…
I like your suitcase idea! I haven’t thought about a card box…
I bought a “suitcase” for my cardbox at ac moore. It has an old time floral design on them. I really liked the big hat boxes they had too. Very pretty and a great idea I think.
we’re having a mock “post box” (made out of the box my mac came in) for guests to drop their cards in.
i am, however, using a cardboard ’suitcase’ to hold blank postcards - we’re using custom postcards in lieu of a guestbook.
I love you for this post!!! I never would have ever thought of this idea, and it’s such a perfect fit for our wedding…we met in an airport, had engagement photos at a vintage plane museum and are using luggage tags as placecards. So this is awesome and I’m totally stealing your idea. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
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Mrs. Stiletto, Chicago Age and Occupation: 26, Non-Profit/Fundraising Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Engineer and Photographer Engagement Date: March 2, 2008 Wedding Date: September 2009 Venue: The 19th Century Club About Me: My fiance and I love living in the city of Chicago with our cats Basil and Linus, and vow to never move to the suburbs if we can possibly avoid it! We’ve poured ourselves into planning a wedding that reflects our personal style - modern and high contrast with a vintage twist. Blogging keeps me creative, baking keeps me happy, and grande nonfat no foam sugar free vanilla lattes keep me sane.
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