I recently created custom wedding matchbook covers for my boyfriend’s sister’s wedding, and I’m excited to share the process with you. It was a fun, personal project that added a unique touch to the wedding, and the best part? It was super affordable. Here’s how I did it!
1. Designing the Cover
For the design, I drew inspiration from little reminders of their relationship—things like their shared interests and wedding components (like orchids from her bouquet and bows from her dress). I also made sure to stick with colors that matched their wedding scheme for a cohesive look.
I used Adobe Illustrator to create custom illustrations, keeping it simple yet elegant. You can get creative here—whether it’s a monogram, their wedding date, or a meaningful symbol.
2. Ordering Materials
The materials were easy to source. Here’s what I used:
✹ Matchbooks – I ordered plain matchbooks from Amazon.
✹ Match lighting paper – Also from Amazon.
✹ Staples, a stapler, and an Exacto knife – Already had these at home.
3. Printing the Covers
For the covers, I got them printed at Staples. It was a rush order, but it ended up being super affordable. I opted for thick printing paper (110 lb) to give the covers a more premium feel. Staples handled the printing quickly, which was a lifesaver given the timeline.
4. Assembling the Matchbooks
Here’s the step-by-step process I used for assembly:
- Disassemble the original matchbooks to remove the existing cover.
- Reassemble the matchbook inside the new custom cover.
- Add match lighting paper – I had to cut some of the match lighting paper to size for a perfect fit.
- Secure everything together with a stapler.
It took some time to put everything together, but if you have friends or family to help, it goes by much faster. Plus, it’s way cheaper than ordering custom-made matches from a company.
For around $35, we made 100 matchbooks because we already had a lot of the supplies on hand.
Want My Illustrator Template?
If you’re thinking about making custom matchbooks for your own event, I’m selling the Illustrator template I used! It’s easy to customize with your designs, and it’ll save you the hassle of starting from scratch. Grab it here!
This DIY project was not only fun but a meaningful way to add a personal touch to the wedding. It’s a creative, budget-friendly option if you’re looking to add something special to your wedding favors. If you decide to give it a try, I’d love to see how yours turns out!