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Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about wanting to get a wedding certificate to use as the guestbook at our wedding? Well, if you don’t, that’s just dandy because I found something that I like even more!
I still want to get a wedding certificate, but I have fallen for these wonderful quilled-paper pieces by Ann Martin.
Two photos via All Things Paper / Calligraphy by Living Letters Studio
Two photos via All Things Paper / Calligraphy by Living Letters Studio
Above two photos via All Things Paper / Calligraphy by Carole Foster
Photo via All Things Paper / Calligraphy by Living Letters Studio
(All photos and certificates by Ann Martin at All Things Paper)
Paper quilling is essentially a technique of rolling paper to create beautiful designs like the ones above. I have never tried it, but I imagine that it takes years of practice and a lot of patience to create the types of things seen above. Each piece is truly a work of art.
When I showed these images to Mr. Pony, he agreed he liked them more than the wedding-certificate designs I showed him previously. Each certificate is so beautifully crafted and unique, and we really love them.
So, I contacted the artist who makes these pieces to find out pricing and more information. Honestly, they are a bit more than we wanted to spend, so I am trying to find a way to convince myself and Mr. Pony that it is worth it. On one side, our wedding certificate will be hung in our future home for many years to be admired on a daily basis. On the other side, it is really expensive.
Actually, I don’t think Mr. Pony would mind spending the money, but we are both somewhat completely terrified that someone at our wedding will crush the precious quilling or take a crayon to the paper and ruin its beauty. We are considering having the quilling applied after the wedding or having the sheet that is signed attached after the wedding. Neither of these options is ideal given that our guests won’t see the finished product in all its glory, but it might ease our fears of someone ruining our custom certificate.
So what do you think? Is a quilled certificate worth the extra money? How do we ensure that someone won’t ruin this at the wedding short of hiring it its own bodyguard for the day?
Thank you for this! It’s just the unique design I have been searching for!
This is beautiful!! I would be worried about someone pushing down on the quilled paper when writing, so I like your idea of having it added afterwards.
That’s beautiful! I think you should get it down afterwards and send your guests a photo or something. :OP It will most definitely get crushed if you let people sign on it!
I like the idea of adding the quilling later on. To piggyback on “alvina”’s idea, maybe have the photo be the picture for your thank you cards. This way, your guests will be able to see it and also you’re not just sending a random photo. Whatever you decide to do, I think that it’s worth the investment. Art is expensive, quilling is a lost art, and this piece of art just happens to represents a special day/moment.
Those are absolutely beautiful. Your fears about it being crushed seem reasonable… Your wedding guests are people close to you, right? So even if you chose to have the quilling added after the wedding, they’d see it in your home in years to come? Maybe?
Why not have them sign another piece of paper cut to fit the area, then attach it after. You could display the certificate, but maybe behind glass, next to the paper they’re signing to show how it will be used
Maybe have the finished piece there (up on an easel?) and have guests sign a matting board that will be used to frame it and hang it up in your home later? It makes it so the guests can see it (but not touch it) and also sign something that will go with/around it afterwards.
Adding it after the fact sounds like a great idea. And honestly, if you are getting it done after the wedding then you could try to learn quilling yourself after the wedding. Quilling isn’t that hard, it just takes some practice. My mom showed me quilling projects in a Martha Stewart magazine a few years ago and I just cut some paper and use a toothpick to curl and I ended up with some pretty good looking things.
Perhaps rather than having everyone at the wedding, unless your guest list is rather small, sign the certificate, between the ceremony and the reception those people who you have invited to have pictures taken with you (ie. the wedding party and family) will be the ones to sign it knowing to use their best penmanship and to handle it with care. You could then place it in the frame and have it put on display.
That is GORGEOUS, and depending on how much over budget it is I’d say it could be worth it. Will it break the budget? Could something else be minimized or sacrificed?
As far as ensuring it’s not damaged, perhaps you could have both pieces there (one with the quilling and a second for everyone to sign) as well as your preferred display case, then make sure everyone signs the separate sheet by a certain point in the reception (make an announcement or something). Then have a crafty and trusted friend (DOC, relative, whatever) attach it once everyone has signed it. This way it could still be displayed where your guests will see the finished piece, but you won’t have to worry about it being crushed.
Good luck! It’s a beautiful idea!
The detail on these is insanely gorgeous! I also like the idea of adding it on afterwards or using a separate sheet of paper for guests to sign and mounting it onto the quilled background later.
yet another example of “things I didn’t know existed but are seriously amazing.” I love them!
Beautiful wedding certificate. I have done little quilled flowers around the invitation, but never anything as elegant. Nice work Ann. And great choices Mrs. Pony.
Sandy
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Mrs. Pony, Bloomington, IL Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Attorney Engagement Date: March 22, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard; Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts About Me: I found my Southern counterpart in law school and since he popped the question last March, we have been busy graduating, job searching, bar taking, and wedding planning. My loves include must see TV, magnets, quotes, anything green, my car, fun socks, the Cubs, and my Mr. Together we love wine, playing outside, and exploring the world together. Stay tuned to see our Midwest wedding full of Southern charm, vintage flair, lots of DIY details, and a whole lot o’ wine.
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