An "Animal Crackers" Wish Tree

Wish trees are a popular alternative to the traditional guest book these days and often, paper tags are used to adorn a manzanita branch. Manzanita branches are pricey ($20-45) and I wondered how well the paper tags would hold up after the wedding.

Initially, I thought ceramic ornaments, where guests could write on the back would be the solution. But, I couldn't find them at Michael's. What I found online cost $2+ per ornament, plus shipping. Then, I dug deep into my childhood memories: salt dough ornaments! 

Guitar Fred and I made a batch (4 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup hot tap water). Super cheap. We let it rest for 12 hours (half a day) and then rolled it out and used cookie cutters to punch out the ornaments. I only have a hippo and dog cookie cutter and I'll need to buy some more. We'll need to paint them with colored paint and then clear varnish to preserve them before guests can write their recipes for a good marriage on the back. They're still a work in progress, but I'm pretty happy with the direction we're going in so far. Ultimately, I can see the theme of our wish tree turning into "Animal Crackers." Super cute!

DIY Keepsake: Recipe for a Good Marriage

{From MyWeddingFavors.com}

I've been researching fun ways for our guests to leave well wishes for us: wish trees, guests books, murals, photo mats, and more. Then, I reached into memories of my early childhood. Remember making salt-dough Christmas ornaments? Yeah, you know those ones you rolled out like cookies, baked and painted? I was then inspired to make a long-lasting recipe card so guests can tell us their recipe for a good marriage. It's a nice fit since food/throwing dinner parties is one of my passions.

I envision making these ahead of time and shaping and painting them as if they're index cards. We'll leave Sharpies in a variety of colors so that guests can easily write and share their love notes to us. It'll be a nice keepsake for us every Christmas!

Here's the recipe for the salt-dough ornament (from GiftIdeaCenter.com):

Classic Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water

Directions:
1. Mix salt and flour.
2. Add in half the water, then gradually add the remaining water.
3. Knead until the dough is smooth, this can take up to 10 minutes.
4. For flat dough ornaments roll out the dough on baking paper
Or be creative and make odd shapes and wreaths (takes longer to bake)

Create:
Use cookie cutters, cut-out templates, or just use your hands.
Dust dough with flour and begin to add details to the ornaments with a toothpick, popsicle stick, and knife.

Don't Forget:
Use a straw to make a hole so you can hang the ornament.

Baking: Time varies based on thickness of ornament
Temperature: 325 degrees
Time: 1 1/2 hours - or until dry

Decorate: Let cool before you begin
Paint with acrylic paints
Glue on beads, buttons, or any fun accessory

Preservation: Making them last a long time
Coat with acrylic varnish when everything is dry

*** Color Variation Notes from our Visitors***
- Substitute coffee for water - great for gingerbread people - Thanks, Shelly
- Add food coloring to make dough a unique color - white, blue, red, etc...

Inspiration #37: Leaving Your Mark

This has been circulating the blog world, and I couldn't resist sharing it with you. I had been considering whether or not to do a wish tree or some other way to gather blessings from friends but when I saw this, I was smitten. Pictures are worth a thousand words. Photo of Paul + Cassie by Jonas Peterson.

Inspiration #12: The Wish Tree

The first time I saw a wish tree was actually at the SF MOMA during Yoko Ono's exhibition. Towards the end of the exhibit was her wish tree, where patrons could fill out their wish for the world and attach it to the tree. This practice has become very popular in weddings, symbolizing a collective wish for the couple from their closest friends and families. The most common tree branch I've seen used is the manzanita, with its rich and smooth mahogany finish. You can adorn the branch with baubles, hanging lanterns, floral pomanders, paper birds, you name it! The Wedding Chicks show how to do it here with supplies from Blooms and Branches.

Jules Bianchi Blog


A Day in the Life of a Rockstar Bride



Wedding Paper Divas


Pink Loves Chocolate


A Plexiglass Wish Tree

Inspiration #4: Guestbook Tree

October is not a great time to get a hold of apricot or cherry blossom branches in bloom, but I can find manzanita branches for about $12.99 each, or perhaps my neighbor, the landscape architect, across the street might be able to donate branches he's pruned to me. If so, my costs will really be for the ribbon (I will head to the East Bay Center for Re-Use or Discount Fabrics on Ashby Avenue). Using wallpaper samples might add to its eclecticism.

Here's the rest of the article from the DIY Blog by WeddingChannel.com:
It's easy to create this look on your own -- all you need are potted flower branches and pretty cards for guests to write on.

Cherry, apple or peach blossom or magnolia branches will work well for this. You could also try manzanita or curly willow branches, which look pretty on their own or with cymbidium or dendrobium orchids or carnations wired on. Set pens and a stack of cards with ribbons for hanging nearby, and you're all set!

We love the idea of asking guests to write their specific wishes or advice for you on the cards rather than simply signing their names and writing a generic congratulatory message. After your wedding, collect the cards in a nice chest or box for the perfect keepsake.

Image: Sara Remington/Anna Kuperberg Photography