08.27.09
DIY Wedding

DIY Vintage Book Table Numbers

diy-table-numbers4

The ladies over at Bird and Banner were kind enough to send over this lovely table number and centerpiece idea made with vintage books and colored tape(yes, tape!) for me to share with you today. Not only would this DIY act as a great alternative to fresh flower centerpieces, but it’s also super easy to make which is always nice for the folks(including me!) who weren’t gifted with the craft gene. Click “more” below to see the rest of the project…

tape-wedding-ideas

Materials needed:
10 -15 vintage books
Washi tape in three colors at Happy Tape
Xacto knife
White pastel pencil

tape-wedding-ideas1

Step 1:
First find a great used bookstore and spend some time roaming the aisles for great looking books with romantic titles on the spine. We found some beautiful books in no time and at minimal cost at our favorite local book store. Choose one book to create your table number and lightly sketch out the number in a white charcoal pencil onto book cover. Choose one color of washi tape and place in line with you sketch.

happy-tape

Step 2:

Choose your second color of washi tape, and repeat. Choose your third color and repeat.

diy-table-numbers

Step 3:
Trim loose edges to finish. Stack remaining books to create the centerpiece. Style with vintage ink bottles and flowers to finish.

Project created by Bird and Banner

To see more DIY wedding projects, check out our DIY Wedding galleries above.

08/27/09 at 11:03 am

What a darling idea!

nicole b. writes
08/27/09 at 11:37 am

I love this idea… OK, dumb question alert… are table numbers necessary when you’re not preparing a seating chart or sit-down dinner? We are serving hors d’oeuvres and cocktails after our 7 p.m. ceremony. We’re expecting 100 guests. My fiance and I do not want to tell our guests where to sit. But, it could be helpful for them if they could say (to each other), “Hey, we’re sitting at Table 7, come join us.” Anybody want to chime in? Thank you!

TH writes
08/27/09 at 1:11 pm

I love this idea. I think I might have to steal it for my own wedding, thank you!

@ Nicole: I think that’s a great idea, helpful for guests, rather than pointing at that “middle” table(s).

08/27/09 at 2:24 pm

Those girls come up with the BEST ideas!

April writes
08/27/09 at 2:31 pm

What a cute idea. I love it.

08/27/09 at 2:50 pm

This a brilliant idea – vintage is really in in london but it can be a real struggle not making it look too twee…and for a book loving couple it’s perfect – you did one recently with records – I’d love a mixture of the two…if Nicole worrying – could you just have a book wit the menu on it even?

tx

Ness writes
08/27/09 at 2:51 pm

Holy shiz!! Completely goes with my wedding theme!!! :) Thanks

nicole b. writes
08/27/09 at 2:55 pm

Thanks, TH. I agree!

amanda writes
08/27/09 at 3:00 pm

nicole b, thats not a dumb question because ive thought it before. and to myself i decided they would totally help in a situation like you one you said. i think without a seting chart, they definitely look cute and help people find one another. so i would say depends on what you want to do, but to me, they’re super helpful.

angie +matt writes
08/27/09 at 3:58 pm

Seriously Brilliant!

08/27/09 at 4:04 pm

this is such a great idea!!!! so bold and fun! love it!

bree writes
08/27/09 at 4:54 pm

i love this!!!! i hope to use this idea :)

theartcupboard.blogspot.com

Anne writes
08/27/09 at 10:20 pm

Nice use of “craft” em:):)

cause we all know…you’re creative!!!

Tima writes
08/28/09 at 9:34 am

So creative =) Love it!

paula writes
08/28/09 at 10:02 am

what a great idea!

bornay writes
08/28/09 at 11:50 am

lovely idea!!!!!

08/28/09 at 2:52 pm

[...] newest DIY for Once Wed. For step by step instructions click [...]

paige appel writes
08/28/09 at 2:57 pm

brilliant!

[...] Despite my inevitable comedy trip down the aisle, I want to esacape all the frufrulala ideas and add a splash of humour. [...]

Mellie writes
08/28/09 at 3:48 pm

These girls are amazing with the stuff they come up with. I ordered wedding invitations from them and everyone raved about them. I got more compliments on my invitations than anything else!

Nick writes
08/28/09 at 4:09 pm

Absolutely beautiful! Always wowed by Bird & Banner.

Sarah writes
08/28/09 at 4:13 pm

What a brilliant, easy to do, center piece! I also love the idea of using vintage ink bottles for flowers to go with the books. Thanks Bird and Banner!

Gabby writes
08/28/09 at 4:31 pm

This is so creative and looks so easy to do! The ladies at Bird and Banner continue to inspire with their great taste.

08/28/09 at 6:26 pm

i’ve always loved books as centerpieces but this makes it even greater. so simple! so beautiful..
<3 bird and banner

DeAnna writes
08/28/09 at 6:48 pm

I love love love this! It is great to see a repurposing of found materials and something other than flowers.

Foxxy McShane writes
08/28/09 at 9:57 pm

Ab. so. lute. ly. Slammin’! This idea eats other table number ideas for brunch. Yaay, creative ladies at Bird and Banner!

[...] a super easy way to make table numbers for a wedding with this DIY vintage book table numbers project by Bird and Banner on Once Wed. [Read this article] [Comment on this article] [...]

09/01/09 at 1:18 pm

Table numbers aren’t necessary, but they are SO helpful when you have many guests. We had our wedding last fall and found that our older guests EXPECTED a table number.

lizzie writes
09/03/09 at 4:50 pm

I need to say this, at the risk of being pedantic- as someone who works with books and book restoration, this rash of recent book crafts is worrying- a lot of people are “recycling” readable, useful, books into something they might use once or twice and then toss. remember that just because a book is old or looks stupid to you doesn’t mean it isn’t a treasure to somebody else (or valuable)! I have a cousin who collects old vet’s manuals! you just never know, is all I’m saying.

emily writes
09/03/09 at 4:59 pm

Hey Lizzie! While I respect your opinion, I have to differ in the context of this project. I think Bird and Banner did a wonderful job taken something old and giving it new life. Plus, tape is removable, so they could very easily keep the books or give them away for others to enjoy and read for many years to come.

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