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Rustic Bench as Wedding Guestbook

March 9, 2011 |
16 Comments
posted by brookifer86
Additional Photos
Rustic Bench as Wedding Guestbook
Rustic Bench as Wedding Guestbook
About This Project

Having already built a rustic bench to go with my Farmhouse Table, I knew it would be the perfect guest "book" bench for my wedding. For only $15 (I had the lumber for the top on hand), and the help of all my bridesmaids during my bachelorette weekend, we built this bench in just about an hour. Everybody had a hand in it, which makes it even more meaningful. It sits at the foot of the Farmhouse Bed my husband and I built from reclaimed barnwood from my father. I love that we have something so hand-made and sentimental to commemorate our wedding celebration. It makes me smile every time I look at it!

Blog Link: 
Knocked Off: My Guest Bench
From Plan (new): 
Large Rustic X Bench
Estimated Cost: 
$15
Estimated Time Investment: 
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Required Skill Level: 
Starter Project
Type of Wood: 
white wood
Finish Used: 
I sanded the entire bench with 80,150,200. I primed the entire bench (including the underside, just to cover all my bases) then painted 2 coats of semi gloss white, sanding with 200 between coats. To make the center design, I printed out my art onto computer paper, covered the back with graphite (just scribbling with a pencil) then taped it to my bench. Trace the outline of your art with a pencil and a firm hand. When you remove the paper, you'll see the outline of your design. I traced it with silver paint pen, then filled it in. After I had all my signatures I sealed the top with two coats of Mod Podge (but polycrylic would probably work too).

guest book, rustic bench, wedding

16 Comments

What a great idea. Thank you

What a great idea. Thank you for posting the photos. Your husband is very lucky to marry a creative woman like you. This would be great for a anniversary or birthday too.

posted by Theresa (not verified) | on Wed, 2011-03-09 16:04
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jcmcclure77's picture

Very creative!

I love this idea, and you could use it for so many different events, thanks for the idea!

Jeff McClure www.atouchofarkansas.com
posted by jcmcclure77 | on Wed, 2011-03-09 16:40
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rhonit's picture

Too Stinkin' Clever!

Lovin' it!!

Rhoni T
posted by rhonit | on Mon, 2011-03-14 08:55

I love this bench! We built


I love this bench! We built one for our living room- but I never thought of building one as a guest book for your wedding. So creative and wished I'd thought of it before we got married. What a great keepsake! Also- thanks for sharing how you did the transfer of your names/date onto the bench- this technique will come in handy!

posted by Guest (not verified) | on Thu, 2011-03-17 19:06
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QueenMahin's picture

Great idea

This is awesome!  You have a beautiful hand-crafted item with so many memories attached.  Also, congatulations!  Wishing you much joy and happiness.  Love the wedding pic.

Mahin
http://queenmahin.com
posted by QueenMahin | on Sat, 2011-03-26 05:42

The Bench.

I love this idea... I'm gonna barrow it.
Insted of putting our names... I'm gonna use our wedding invitation and then add two pictures of us (one on each side)... :)

posted by Guest (not verified) | on Wed, 2011-08-03 09:05
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debandtom25's picture

Pens?

I was inspired by your project. There is a fundraiser for my kids' teacher who has been sick for months. I made her a bench and plan on having her friends and students sign it for her. I was curious if you just used Sharpie markers or invested in paint pens? I do plan on top-coating it, so I would want something that doesn't smudge.

Thanks so much!

posted by debandtom25 | on Wed, 2012-05-02 06:11
clips
brookifer86's picture

Paint Pens

Definitely use paint pens, I used the Elmer's Painters brand in silver but they also come in other colors. I've also used ones with finer tips, but make sure they're paint pens not Sharpies. For some reason the paint clogs up the sharpies even if it's dried and cured. You may also try some gel pens, you can test them on a scrap piece or the underside. I think your kid's teacher will be so pleased to get this gift!

posted by brookifer86 | on Sun, 2012-05-20 19:06

wedding bench

I fixed a wedding bench for my daughter. Purchased brown waterproof markers. Painted Polycrylic and it smeared the brown markers, so now it looks like it has a smear of pink all over the table. I don't know if spray would have been better, probably would not have smeared, but would have changed the color anyway. I am so disappointed, don't know what to do to correct the problem.

posted by Abby Miller (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-07-03 13:23
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brookifer86's picture

Oh no! That would be very

Oh no! That would be very disappointing. I'm sorry that happened. I guess "waterproof" doesn't always mean water soluble. If you want to get crazy with it, I would take detailed photos of all the signatures, repaint the table, print out the photos to scale and trace them to "re-sign" all the well wishes so they look identical. I'm sure others will have some less labor intensive suggestions for you though.

posted by brookifer86 | on Tue, 2012-07-03 13:30

Thanks, I have thought about

Thanks, I have thought about doing that, but there are over 200 names on the table.

posted by Abby Miller (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-07-04 12:27
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Pam the Goatherd's picture

Maybe you could take pictures

Maybe you could take pictures of the signatures then mod podge the pictures to the bench, then spray polycrylic over it.

posted by Pam the Goatherd | on Wed, 2012-07-04 13:43

Thanks, but I would still

Thanks, but I would still have the pink streaks

posted by Abby Miller (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-07-05 08:13

I fixed a wedding bench for

I fixed a wedding bench for my daughter. Purchased brown waterproof markers. Painted Polycrylic and it smeared the brown markers, so now it looks like it has a smear of pink all over the table. I don't know if spray would have been better, probably would not have smeared, but would have changed the color anyway. I am so disappointed, don't know what to do to correct the problem.

posted by Abby Miller (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-07-03 13:26

I fixed a wedding bench for

I fixed a wedding bench for my daughter. Purchased brown waterproof markers. Painted Polycrylic and it smeared the brown markers, so now it looks like it has a smear of pink all over the table. I don't know if spray would have been better, probably would not have smeared, but would have changed the color anyway. I am so disappointed, don't know what to do to correct the problem.

posted by Abby Miller (not verified) | on Tue, 2012-07-03 13:27

Thank you so much for

Thank you so much for providing this article and for giving us the opportunity for having some read here. It is enjoyable indeed. wedding videographer melbourne

posted by arjie | on Wed, 2013-05-15 00:10

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