How To Make Your Own Wish Tree
Posted by Denise on Dec 05, 2007. Filed under DIY Wedding Ideas, Receptions, Stuff We Love, Trend Watch, Wedding How-to, Wedding Ideas
Comments (15), Permalink
I recently blogged about using a Wish Tree in lieu of the traditional guest book and got such great response from brides that I wanted to tell you what you would need to make your own. By purchasing the materials to make your own Wish Tree, you’ll be able to use it again for other types of parties such as baby showers, birthdays, graduations, etc. Think of it as the Wish Tree that keeps on giving.
Here is what you need to recreate the tree shown in the picture:
8 Manzanita Branches: You can spray-paint them gold or silver, or you can leave it the way nature intended.
Crystal Garland for use on the tree and in the vases
2 Large Glass Hurricanes or Floral Vases
Ornament Hooks
2 pens for guests to write with
2 Large serving trays which can be used to display the wish cards before the guests hang them on the tree. (If you want the guests to be able to access both sides of the table you will need 2 Large serving platters 2 frames and 4 pens.)
1-2 frames: The frames are placed between the hurricanes on either side of the table. Inside the frame, place card stock with the wording: “Best Wishes Brides Names & Grooms Name.”
Wish Tree Notes: To keep it simple, you could have your invitation vendor create the notes in the same style and card stock as your wedding invitations, place cards, programs and guest cards. Or, you could choose card stock in any shape or color you want to fit the theme or look of your wedding. It could look like an actual leaf or it could be done in the shape of a sea shell or snow flake. You just want to make sure there is enough surface space on the card for the guest to write her message.
Useful tip: Make sure to get 15-20 extra notes more than your total guest count. You can take the cards to Kinko’s and have them drill a hole in each one.
Most of these materials can be found at Crate & Barrel and Target. You can pick them up while you are registering for your wedding gifts.
Here is how you would construct your Wish Tree:
1. Wrap the inside the hurricanes with the crystal garland in a circular direction so that you get a good base in which to place the manzanita branches.
2. Place the two hurricanes about a foot apart from each other on the table on which the wish tree will be displayed.
3. Arrange the manzanita branches in the hurricanes.
4. Take the remaining crystal garland and drape them throughout the branches. This could take some time and you might need to make adjustments. You just don’t want to have any huge holes.
5. Place a ornament hook on each wish card and display them on the table. You can use the a serving platter to display the cards on, like it is in the picture, or you can just spread them on the table itself. (This step was the most time consuming for me.)
6. Place the frames in the center of the two hurricanes
7. Place the pens on either side of the serving platter
Useful tip: To get the most sparkle out of your tree place it near a great light source or add a few votive candles around the tree.
You’re done! You now have a show-stopping place for guests to send their good wishes.
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Comments
Is there any other cute sayings that could be used in the frame to be sure the guests understand what the note cards are for?
How big/wide/tall do the manzanita branches have to be?
As for the cute sayings, I found a couple by googling wish tree wording.
Just wondering.. Could oak tree branches work just as well??.. Especially using the acrylic crystals?
This is such a cute Idea. I always thought the traditional guest book was so boring. But this adds to the decor and you can use the wish cards in a cute scrapbook with picture of the guest celebrating your wedding day.
What a lovely idea. An absolutely stunning centrepiece with a personal touch!
great web page would have liked to see your answers to some of the questions though we are making a well wishes tree for my daughters wedding instead of guest book and i too would like to know if there is any verse, poem, saying that i could put in a frame next to the tree. her edding is in november so we are using leaves for our guests to write on thanks patti
Denise,
I was just wondering if you actually helped to construct the wishing tree in the picture you have displayed? I would be really interested in you messaging me back on here if you would consider making one for my wedding in June- it would be a disaster if I tried it myself as Im very uncreative. Thanks, Helen
I LOVE this idea but am wondering what you do with the tree tags once your wedding is over. Thanks!
We made one for my daughter’s wedding. We could not locate manzanita branches. We used branches purchased from Hobby Lobby which were presprayed silver with a light glitter. We used a very tall heavy glass vase. We found these great pill size lights that operate on batteries from Michaels that you can mix in the vase with the crystals to create additional sparkle. We did not use garland but crystals from a inexpensive light fixture from Ikea. We had a bowl at the side for guests to drop in notes for bride and groom. We used a picture frame and displayed following message…Please share your prayers,thoughts and wishes. Long after this day has passed, your words we will truly treasure.Hugh success. It was about 40 inches tall and slender very elegant. Big wow factor for reception!
This is my revised version of the poem…
September 25th 2010 we begin our new journey as Mr. & Mrs.
We could surely use your advice and well wishes.
Share with us your wisdom about marriage, love & life.
Let us in on the secret to being a loving husband, or respectful wife.
Jot down a few words with insight we could use on our way.
Please don’t drape your wish on our tree without signing your name today.
Long after this day, whatever you pen we’re sure to treasure.
Sometime in the future we will take your advice with… great measure!
Here’s another great link for <a >manzanita branches</a>. We’ve got a great selection of hanging garland also!
This is a fabulous idea and the most beautiful Wishing Tree I have ever seen. Can you please tell me how large this tree is? It says you require 8 manzanita branches. What size of branches? I have been searching the internet and have found they come in different sizes…any info would be appreciated.
We got married back in 2009, and used this webpage as a spring board for our own wedding wish tree. Our local florist wanted $300 to rent one, and I knew I could do it for much less. I collected several dead branches from a friend’s property and spray painted them. Next, I cemented them in plaster of paris, inside of some disposable containers that would fit nicely inside of some large glass jars that I had purchased. I also spent some time antique shopping looking for chandelier crystals, and ended up scoring a ton for only $25! On the day of the wedding, we stuck the containers with the branches inside the glass jars, surrounded the containers with those little plastic gem stones and strung the chandelier crystals like pictured above. Our cards had “Please leave your wishes for the Mr. and Mrs.” on them, and we hung them from the crystals with those little wire ornament hangers. As for what to do with the cards afterwards, you can put them in a scrap book, or keep them in a baseball card binder. Here is a link to what ours looked like http://dlweddings.com/weblog/index.php?p=1268 - scroll down to see the images at the bottom..
Nicole,
Thanks so much for the info. I have seen so many dead branches and wondered if they would work rather than purchasing Manzanita branches? I appreciate you taking the time to add the link, the pics are beautiful. I will keep you updated on my progress. Thanks Again!
Sue
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How long should the garland be?