Wedding season is upon us, and for many brides, the days leading up to the big day can be stressful, to say the least. As a bridesmaid or friend of the bride, you may be looking for a thoughtful way to help the bride relax and remind her that it’s all about celebrating love.
That’s where a wedding advent calendar comes in.
A wedding advent calendar is similar to a Christmas advent calendar, but it counts down the days until the couple says “I do.” Each day reveals a small gift, treat, or wedding planning item to pamper the bride, get her organized for the big day, and kickstart the wedding celebrations.
So, if you want to make an incredible gift to surprise your favorite bride-to-be, I am writing this complete DIY wedding advent calendar guide as a professional advent calendar printing manufacturer.
What You’ll Need to Make a Wedding Advent Calendar
To make your own wedding advent calendar, you’ll need:
- A box, frame, or board to attach the gifts and tags to
- Small gifts, beauty items, treats, or wedding planning goodies to fill each day
- Numbered tags or bags for each corresponding day
- Wrapping paper, tissue paper, bags and ribbon for gift wrapping
- Glue, tape or pins to attach the gifts and tags
- Calendar backdrop (optional)
You can customize your advent calendar by choosing a theme like rose gold, rustic chic or glam, and carrying that style through with your wrapping, tags, and any decorations.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making a Wedding Advent Calendar
Follow these steps to create a darling wedding advent calendar:
Choose Your Calendar Vessel
First, decide what structure you’ll use to display your calendar. This could be:
- A flat surface like a framed corkboard, canvas, wooden board or box. This offers lots of space to creatively arrange your gifts.
- A wire basket or crate. The gaps make it easy to grab gifts and you can weave ribbons through the sides.
- A hanging shoe organizer. The pouches are perfect for slipping gifts inside.
- Mini drawers. Individual drawers lend a cute, compact way to conceal the surprises.
Make Numbered Tags
To identify which gift should be opened on each day, make some numbered tags out of cardstock or faux glitter wood slices. If you opt for a shoe organizer or drawers, simple gift tags work too.
Wrap 24 Gifts for the Calendar
This is the fun part – picking out mini presents for every day! Solicit friends and family to help out with ideas. Some gift suggestions include:
- Pampering treats: Sheet masks, bath bombs, lip scrub, nail polish, lotion, candles
- Beauty emergency kit: Bobby pins, oil blotting sheets, perfume, mints
- Bridal fashion: Jewelry, headband, clutch, fun socks
- Wedding planning: Checklists, notepads, pens, sticky notes
- Relaxation helpers: Teas, face mist, essential oils, bath salts, eye pillow
- Sweet treats: Chocolates, cake pops, macarons, candy, cookies
- Wedding countdown: Flip flops or robe for getting ready day-of, ring dish, unity candle
Wrap each gift festively to match your theme. Number your tags to correspond with the correct gift.
Assemble Your Calendar
Once your gifts are covered in beautiful paper and bows, it’s time to assemble it all into an advent calendar!
If using a flat frame or board, arrange the gifts creatively and use glue or push pins to adhere the numbered tags. Weave ribbon through gifts in a wire basket, or tuck them into the pouches on a shoe organizer.
Attach a label that says “Wedding Advent Calendar” or “Bride’s Countdown to I Do” so there’s no mistaking this very special gift!
Presenting Your Thoughtful Creation
When you unveil this customized wedding advent calendar filled with treats to pamper her, your bride is sure to be utterly surprised and touched.
As she counts down to her walk down the aisle by unwrapping a little gift each day, it will remind her to practice self-care amidst the wedding planning chaos.
So gather your supplies, pick a creative design and lovingly prepare this unique advent calendar surprise to delight your favorite bride-to-be!