Box

• 1). Cut a slit in the top of the shoebox. Measure the thickness and length of the short side of a standard wedding card. Make sure there's plenty of room to easily drop in a card.
  
  
• 2). Cover the top and body of the box with high-quality construction paper, tissue paper or wrapping paper. Choose a color or pattern that complements your wedding decor. Glue the paper down around the box with craft glue, making sure there are no bubbles or wrinkles.
  
  
• 3). Paste pictures of the bride and groom, or other images, around the box. Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the back of the picture, paste it on the desired location and apply pressure for 30 seconds. Keep in mind that you will not be able to remove these pictures; use copies, not originals.
  
  
• 4). Stamp the letters "Card Box" onto the top or front of the box, where guests will see it most clearly. Alternatively, use letter stickers to spell "Card Box."
  
  
• 5). With varnish or lacquer, decoupage the printed paper, pictures and letters onto the box. Paint a thick layer of decoupage medium over the entire box. Allow it to dry completely for 24 hours. Your paper decorations are now sealed together, creating an even look.
  
  

Basket

• 1). Lay out newspaper on your workspace to prevent a difficult cleanup. Lay the basket on one side on the newspaper.
  
  
• 2). Spray paint the basket white to match wedding decor. Shake the spray can three to four times and test the spray on the newspaper you laid out. Spray the basket in slow, even strokes with the gun 6 to 8 inches away from the basket. Let the first coat dry completely, then spray another coat.
  
  
• 3). Line the basket with fabric or silk, and flower petals for extra flare. The bottom of a basket often looks rough and uninviting. Let your guests know you treasure the cards they'll be dropping into the basket.
  
  
• 4). Tie a ribbon at the top of the basket. Choose a gentle color that complements wedding decor, such as a light pastel. Overlap two different colors for contrast.
  
  
• 5). Attach small plastic flowers to the handle of the basket. Glue them on with a strong craft adhesive or tie them by the wire stem. Use colors that complement the wedding colors.
  
  
• 6). Cut out a square of card stock. Write the word "Card Box" using your calligraphy pen. Overlap two complementary colors of card stock, such as brown and off-white, for contrast. Glue the "Card Box" sign to the front of the basket. Alternatively, glue "Card Box" to the center of the basket handle so that it's easily visible to guests.
  
  
• 7). Attach symbolic items that represent your relationship to the exterior of the basket. Possibilities include post cards from a trip, trinkets from a memorable event such as seashells from a beach trip, the CD cover of the artist whose song you fell in love to or a poem that describes your relationship. Cut out and paste each object onto a piece of card stock. Laminate or decoupage the image to the card stock. Glue the image to the basket.